Kiehl's Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash

Kiehl's Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sodium cocoyl glycinate, Coco-betaine
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash”
Source: Kiehl's

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-betaine, sodium cocoyl glycinate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: coco-betaine

Sodium cocoyl glycinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~8.9–13.4%
Coco-betaineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic~4.9–7.4%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash”
Source: Kiehl's

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.15–0.65%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit · Salicylic acid
Works well

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed 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)~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coco-betaineHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenicHigh~4.9–7.4%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.4–1%est.
Salicylic acidUsed 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)High~0.15–0.65%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Sodium cocoyl glycinateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~8.9–13.4%est.
Acrylates copolymerUsed to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~2–3%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.16–0.32%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.01–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium cocoyl glycinate~8.9–13.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glycinate
Coco-betaine~4.9–7.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic

More about Coco-betaine
Glycerin~2.6–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Glycerin
Acrylates copolymer~2–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency

More about Acrylates copolymer
Sodium chloride~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Prunus armeniaca seed powder~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Sodium hydroxide~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Parfum~0.4–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Salicylic acid~0.15–0.65%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

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)

More about Salicylic acid
Disodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Hexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Citric acid~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium cocoyl glycinate, Coco-betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates copolymer, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus armeniaca seed powder, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Salicylic acid, Disodium edta, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Citric acid

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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'sOil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face WashYOUR PRODUCTGleaminClarifying Brightening CleanserVichyNormaderm Corrector Anti-Blemish Care 24H Hydration + Free Cleansing GelMixaAnti-Imperfection Comfort Cleanser
Match—99%96%95%
Price—$22.00—$7.23
Shared key ingredients—4 of 44 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Lactobionic AcidCapryloyl Salicylic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Kiehl's Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash
Kiehl'sOil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.