PRODUCT REVIEW
Kiehl's Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid
Appears in
2 routines
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
salicylic acid
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
niacinamide
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
zinc pca
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Evens skin tone
niacinamide
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
salicylic acid
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
dipotassium glycyrrhizate
0.35% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
dimethicone
2.1% -
3.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
glycerin
4% -
6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
lactobacillus ferment
0.05% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
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Anti-aging
niacinamide
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
zinc pca
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Exfoliation
salicylic acid
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Moisturizing | |
Evens skin tone | |
Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
propylene glycol
0.4% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
laureth-4
0.8% -
1.25%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps water and oil mix together
User reviews (0)
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Kiehl's - Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid | SCINIC - Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Stick Sponsored | CeraVe - Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream | Bioderma - Hydrabio Gel-Creme | e.l.f. Cosmetics - Blemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream | Atwater - Oil Regulator Facial Moisturizer | Paula's choice - Invisible Finish Moisture Gel | Tula - Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer | Swisse - Vitamin B3 Blemish Controlling Moisturiser | Mesoestetic - Melan Tran Daily Depigmenting Gel Cream | YEOUTH - Daytime Defense | SCINIC - Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Stick | |
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WIMJ similarity score |
79%
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83%
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83%
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83%
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82%
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81%
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79%
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79%
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Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
zinc pca
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Show more
Potential irritants
propylene glycol
0.4% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
laureth-4
0.8% -
1.25%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps water and oil mix together
All ingredients
glycerin
4% -
6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
butylene glycol
3.5% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Isohexadecane, Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Laureth-4, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Propylene glycol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethiconol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Zinc pca, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Silica silylate, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Maltodextrin, Menthol, Lactobacillus ferment, Salvia officinalis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Salicylic acid
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Safety Assessment of Acryloyldimethyltaurate Polymers as Used in Cosmetics
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Laureths 4 and 23
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Ameliorating effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate on an IL-4- and IL-13-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin-equivalent model
- Final report on the safety assessment of Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Potassium Glycyrrhetinate, Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glyceryl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhetinyl Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Glycyrrhizate, Trisodium Glycyrrhizate, Methyl Glycyrrhizate, and Potassium Glycyrrhizinate.
- Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis
- Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review
- The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging
- Comparison of clinical and histological effects between lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa and tea tree oil for the treatment of acne: an eight-week double-blind randomized controlled split-face study
- Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applications
- Allergic contact dermatitis caused by Salvia officinalis extract
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations