Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Holiday Edition

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Holiday Edition

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Moisturizing
Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane + 7 more
Works
What the product description says
“One of the stars of the show is evening primrose oil, which hydrates the skin and maintains elasticity for a younger-looking complexion, while soothing lavender essential oil relaxes the senses before bed.”
Source: Escentual

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~23–34%
SqualaneKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~4.7–7.1%
Rosa canina fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating~3.8–5.7%
Oenothera biennis oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function~2.8–4.3%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.~2.3–3.4%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.15–0.55%
Dicaprylyl carbonate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin~4.1–6.1%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.95–1.45%
Cucumis sativus fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect~0.2–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
14 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis seed oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil + 12 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 21 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus aurantium dulcis seed oil—High~1.3–1.9%est.
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.9–1.3%est.
Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidationHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.45–1%est.
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skinHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
CitronellolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.85%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.75%est.
Lavandula hybrida oilPlant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergenHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Curcuma longa root extractA plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritantHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
Rosa damascena extractOil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.High~0.15–0.6%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
SclareolideDerived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Rose flower oilFlower oil that is used as a fragranceHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Jasminum officinale extractEssential oil that can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~23–34%est.
Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~3.8–5.7%est.
Oenothera biennis oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier functionMedium~2.8–4.3%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~2.3–3.4%est.
Cucumis sativus extract—Medium~0.35–0.8%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~23–34%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Dicaprylyl carbonate~4.1–6.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin

More about Dicaprylyl carbonate
Squalane~4.7–7.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Rosa canina fruit oil~3.8–5.7%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil
Oenothera biennis oil~2.8–4.3%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function

More about Oenothera biennis oil
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~2.3–3.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Coriandrum sativum oil~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Citrus aurantium dulcis seed oil~1.3–1.9%
Irritant · high
Tocopherol~0.95–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.9–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation

More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oil
Linalool~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidation

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil
Citronellol~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citronellol
Geraniol~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen

More about Lavandula hybrida oil
Cucumis sativus extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizing

Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect

More about Cucumis sativus fruit extract
Curcuma longa root extract~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant

More about Curcuma longa root extract
Rosa damascena extract~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.

More about Rosa damascena extract
Curcuma longa root extract~0.15–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant

More about Curcuma longa root extract
Limonene~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Citral~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Sclareolide~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Derived from clary sage. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Sclareolide
Rose flower oil~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Flower oil that is used as a fragrance

More about Rose flower oil
Jasminum officinale extract~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Essential oil that can be irritating

More about Jasminum officinale extract
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Ingredient list view

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Squalane, Rosa canina fruit oil, Oenothera biennis oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Coriandrum sativum oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis seed oil, Tocopherol, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Linalool, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Lavandula hybrida oil, Cucumis sativus extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Rosa damascena extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Limonene, Citral, Sclareolide, Rose flower oil, Jasminum officinale extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Kiehl'sMidnight Recovery Concentrate Holiday EditionYOUR PRODUCTProcoalMidnight Rescue ElixirREVOLUTION SKINCARENight Restore OilPlanthequeThe Flower Power Face Oil
Match—43%41%40%
Price—$28.00$10.73—
Shared key ingredients—7 of 76 of 76 of 7
Key difference—Cucumis Sativus OilLinoleic AcidBacillus Ferment
Irritancy High High Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Holiday Edition
Kiehl'sMidnight Recovery Concentrate Holiday Edition

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