Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Efficacy33/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20 + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Detoxify surface impurities and gently exfoliate skin with our deep pore facial cleanser.”
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 (ceteareth-20, cetearyl alcohol, xanthan gum) 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.

Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.9–1.35%
Ceteareth-20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties~0.5–1.15%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.15–0.7%
LecithinEffect: High, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.7%
Exfoliation
Allantoin
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Detoxify surface impurities and gently exfoliate skin with our deep pore facial cleanser.”
Source: Kiehl's

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.25%
Anti-blemish
Kaolin, Bentonite + 2 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Target blackheads by starting with Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser, formulated with Aloe Vera.”
Source: Kiehl's

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

KaolinEffect: LowA type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color~2.6–3.9%
BentoniteEffect: LowHelps stabilize the product formulation~1.7–2.6%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.1–0.3%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 6 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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~0.85–1.3%est.
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistency3/5~0.5–1.2%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.9–1.35%est.
Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties2/5~0.5–1.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Avena sativa kernel meal~23–34%
Formula
Kaolin~5–7.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Aloe barbadensis leaf~4.4–6.6%
Formula
Water~3.4–5.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Kaolin~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Bentonite~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Propanediol~1.2–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Glycerin~1.2–1.8%
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
Titanium dioxide~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · 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
Cetearyl alcohol~0.9–1.35%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Zea mays starch~0.5–1.2%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Mattifying

Used to thicken the product's consistency

More about Zea mays starch
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ceteareth-20~0.5–1.15%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties

More about Ceteareth-20
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Tocopherol~0.1–0.5%
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
Lecithin~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Avena sativa kernel flour~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier

More about Avena sativa kernel flour
Allantoin~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Ingredient list view

Avena sativa kernel meal, Kaolin, Aloe barbadensis leaf, Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Propanediol, Glycerin, Titanium dioxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Zea mays starch, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Avena sativa kernel flour, Allantoin

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:13 GMT
$29.00
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Kiehl's
$29.00
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Sephora
$29.00
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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'sRare Earth Deep Pore Daily CleanserYOUR PRODUCTNativeSensitive Facial CleanserThe INKEY List CAHyaluronic Acid CleanserNaturiumThe Calmer Ceramide Body Wash
Match—29%29%28%
Price$29.00$10.62−$18.38$10.31−$18.69$14.43−$14.57
Shared key ingredients—4 of 93 of 95 of 9
Key difference—NiacinamideBetaineCeramide Eop
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  4. 4
Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
Kiehl'sRare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.