Kiehl's s Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence
Works for
Anti-agingAdenosineWorks well
“A revitalising, anti-ageing treatment, the Kiehl’s essence helps to promote a smoother-looking surface across your face.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Deeply hydrating with exfoliating benefits, your skin will seem perfected and refreshed.”
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: capryloyl salicylic acid.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 2 moreWorks
“Deeply hydrating with exfoliating benefits, your skin will seem perfected and refreshed.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acidMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolGlycerin~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinDipropylene glycol~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolAlcohol denat.~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Methyl gluceth-10~1.3–1.9%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPpg-6-decyltetradeceth-30~1.1–1.7%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Parfum~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tetrasodium edta~0.35–0.8%
Iris florentina root extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateXanthan gum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateAdenosine~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineLimonene~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Methyl gluceth-10, Phenoxyethanol, Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Iris florentina root extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Adenosine, Limonene
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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.
| Kiehl'ss Iris Extract Activating Treatment EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | MAXCLINICPro Hyaluron Toner | Bliv:UCollagen Bouncing Toner 200ml | The SaemUrban Eco Golden Berry Toner Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 66% | 66% |
| Price | $56.00 | $22.40−$33.60 | $17.52−$38.48 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Hexapeptide-9 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Real Barrier Extreme Pathenol Toner PadAbib Glutathiosome Dark Spot Toner Skin Booster 200ml
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
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