Kiehl's s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Kiehl's s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Coco-betaine + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (ammonium lauryl sulfate, coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, tea-lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine) 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: ammonium lauryl sulfate, coco-betaine, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, tea-lauryl sulfate

Ammonium lauryl sulfateEffect: High~4.8–7.2%
Coco-betaineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic~2.1–3.1%
Tea-lauryl sulfateEffect: High~1.8–2.7%
TriethanolamineEffect: HighUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell~1.2–1.9%
Coco-glucosideEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating~1–1.5%
Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.8–1.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Parfum, Benzophenone-3 + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 19 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ammonium lauryl sulfate—High~4.8–7.2%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~2.7–4%est.
Coco-betaineHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenicHigh~2.1–3.1%est.
Tea-lauryl sulfate—High~1.8–2.7%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~1–1.5%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.8–1.2%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Benzophenone-3Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorptionHigh~0.5–1.15%est.
Menthol—High~0.1–0.45%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Citrus limon peel extractA very irritating fragrant ingredientHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~2.1–3.1%est.
TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellMedium~1.2–1.9%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.05–0.15%est.
Ci 14700A colorantMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 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 consistency3/5~0.2–0.75%est.

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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
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
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
Ammonium lauryl sulfate~4.8–7.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Propylene glycol~2.7–4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Caprylyl glycol~2.1–3.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Coco-betaine~2.1–3.1%
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
Acrylates
Not recognized
Tea-lauryl sulfate~1.8–2.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing
More about Tea-lauryl sulfate
Triethanolamine~1.2–1.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell

More about Triethanolamine
Coco-glucoside~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Decyl glucoside~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Parfum~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Benzophenone-3~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption

More about Benzophenone-3
Disodium edta~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Zea mays starch~0.2–0.75%
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
Caffeine~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Menthol~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Limonene~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Limonene
Polyquaternium-39~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-39
Tocopherol~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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
Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Citrus limon peel extract~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A very irritating fragrant ingredient

More about Citrus limon peel extract
Castanea sativa
Not recognized
Ci 42090~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Ci 14700~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant

More about Ci 14700
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Propylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Coco-betaine, Unknown, Tea-lauryl sulfate, Triethanolamine, Coco-glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl glucoside, Methylparaben, Parfum, Benzophenone-3, Disodium edta, Propylparaben, Zea mays starch, Caffeine, Menthol, Limonene, Polyquaternium-39, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium dulcis seed extract, Citrus limon peel extract, Unknown, Ci 42090, Ci 14700

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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'ss Facial Fuel Energizing Face WashYOUR PRODUCTCeraVeCream to Foam CleanserMerci HandyFacial Cleansing GelBiodermaAtoderm Shower Gel
Match—33%32%32%
Price—$13.32—$7.52
Shared key ingredients—3 of 94 of 93 of 9
Key difference—Salicylic AcidNiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Kiehl's s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
Kiehl'ss Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

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