Kiehl's s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside + 7 moreCan be harsh
“This mild cleanser is specially formulated with a sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse skin and remove makeup, without over-drying or stripping skin of its natural oils.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.
The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“A blend of squalane, vitamin E and avocado oil helps to nourish and hydrate, while apricot kernel oil acts as a gentle exfoliator.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
2 of 2 community members would buy it again.
A great cleanser for my dry skin, isn't stripping and removes dirt well, for heavy make-up a more heavy duty cleanser is needed.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateDecyl glucoside~5.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinCocamidopropyl betaine~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineDisodium cocoamphodiacetate~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetateAcrylates copolymer~1.7–2%
- 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 copolymerPeg-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate~1.5–1.9%
Lauryl glucoside~1.3–1.5%
Sodium chloride~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePentylene glycol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTriethanolamine~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateDistearyl ether~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Behenyl alcohol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Laureth-2~0.5–0.75%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Sodium methylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Squalane~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 SqualanePrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilPrunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolAscorbyl glucoside~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosidePersea gratissima oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates copolymer, Peg-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate, Lauryl glucoside, Sodium chloride, Pentylene glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Distearyl ether, Behenyl alcohol, Methylparaben, Laureth-2, Propylparaben, Sodium methylparaben, Squalane, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl glucoside, Persea gratissima oil, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 Ultra Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | YourGoodSkinRefreshing Foaming Wash | CetaphilNourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser | AveenoUltra-Calming Foaming Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 34% | 33% | 33% |
| Price | $15.00 | — | $8.99−$6.01 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 3 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Panthenol | Sarcosine |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Superdrug Simply Pure Gentle Foaming CleanserLa Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Body & Face Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
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- 6
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