Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingHydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, Glycerin + 16 moreStrong evidence
“With a unique lightweight texture and up to 24-hour lasting hydration, our “ultra-hydrator” immediately leaves skin up to 2.3X more hydrated.*”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: myristyl myristate, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6%
- 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 GlycerinCyclohexasiloxane~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneSqualane~2.7–4.1%
- 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 SqualaneBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneSucrose stearate~1.7–2.5%
Stearyl alcohol~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholPeg-8 stearate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Peg-8 stearateMyristyl myristate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristatePentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoatePrunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilPhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPersea gratissima oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilGlyceryl stearate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCetyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholOryza sativa bran oil~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Oryza sativa bran oilOlea europaea fruit oil~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Stearic acid~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPalmitic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidDisodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCarbomer~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilXanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.3%
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolGlycine soja oil~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilPseudoalteromonas ferment extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Myristic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidHydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganineBht~0.01–0.1%
Salicylic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidCitric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Sucrose stearate, Stearyl alcohol, Peg-8 stearate, Myristyl myristate, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Phenoxyethanol, Persea gratissima oil, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Oryza sativa bran oil, Olea europaea fruit oil, Chlorphenesin, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Disodium edta, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Carbomer, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Myristic acid, Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, Bht, Salicylic acid, 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.
| Kiehl'sUltra Facial CreamYOUR PRODUCT | MixaCeramide Deep Moisture Cream | It CosmeticsConfidence in a Cream Barrier Boost Skin Barrier Repair Moisturizer | VichyNutrilogie 2 For Very Dry Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 58% | 56% |
| Price | $20.72 | $19.48−$1.24 | $39.20+$18.48 | $26.07+$5.35 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Petrolatum |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Kiehl's - Ultra Facial Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Kiehl's - Ultra Facial Cream ticks this box. Glycerin and bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Glycine soja oil, oryza sativa bran oil, myristyl myristate, squalane and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: salicylic acid, vitamin e and stearic acidIrritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 4 reviews 75% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the majority of the reviewers (1 %) find that it clogs pores.
Price
The product retails from 8.75$ up to 122.00$ in the United States, from 8.00£ up to 45.92£ in the United Kingdom, from 25.00CA$ up to 76.00CA$ in Canada and from 24.61£ up to 40.75£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of PEG Diesters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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