Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 4
Key actives
Product Summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Kiehl's - Ultra Facial Cream Duo" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Kiehl's - Ultra Facial Cream Duo ticks this box. Humectants in this product (glycerin and bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Glycine soja oil, oryza sativa bran oil, dimethicone, myristyl myristate and squalane 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
This moisturizer contains actives 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.
Price
The product retails for 22.00$ in the United States and from 79.00CA$ up to 85.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Ultra Facial Cream Duo
Source: From product name
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: dimethicone, myristyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine
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.
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
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
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
An emollient that helps soften the skin
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Formulated with squalane and glacial glycoprotein to balance even skin’s driest areas with 2.3X more moisture.
Source: Sephora CA
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
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)
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 50/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Duo | Current | $22.00 | |
 Vichy Nutrilogie 2 Intense Cream | 55% | $18.99 | |
 Lancôme Énergie De Vie Water-Infused Moisturizing Cream | 52% | - | |
 Cetaphil Body Lotion with Niacinamide and Ceramide Technology, Skin Care, 24 hour Long-lasting Moisturiser, for Dry, Itchy, Sensitive and Eczema-prone Skin, Non-comedogenic | 50% | $21.99 | |
 BIOTHERM BLUE THERAPY CREAM-IN-OIL | 47% | $96.00 | |
 It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer | 46% | $59.00 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Squalane, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Sucrose stearate, Stearyl alcohol, Peg-8 stearate, Myristyl myristate, 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, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycine soja oil, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Myristic acid, Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, Salicylic acid, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Citric acid
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Safety Assessment of PEG Diesters as Used in Cosmetics
- Study on the Composition of Rice Bran Oil and Its Higher Free Fatty Acids Value
- Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- The fatty acid profile of the skin surface lipid layer in papulopustular rosacea
- Acceptability and Efficacy of an Emollient Containing Ceramide-Precursor Lipids and Moisturizing Factors for Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients
- Emollient treatment of atopic dermatitis: latest evidence and clinical considerations
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses