Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Myristic acid, Palmitic acid + 4 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser”
Source: Ulta

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, glyceryl stearate, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid) 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.

Myristic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic~2.1–3.2%
Palmitic acidEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it~1.8–2.7%
Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~1.7–2.5%
Lauric acidEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes~1.1–1.7%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.85–1.3%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.1–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit extract, Methylisothiazolinone — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~22–33%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
Imperata cylindrica root extractA plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layerMedium~4.3–6.5%est.
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicMedium~2.1–3.2%est.
Potassium hydroxideUsed to adjust the pH level of productsMedium~1.2–1.9%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishesMedium~1.1–1.7%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic3/5~2.1–3.2%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes3/5~1.1–1.7%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Citrus limon fruit extract~22–33%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract
Imperata cylindrica root extract~4.3–6.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer

More about Imperata cylindrica root extract
Water~4.2–6.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~2.9–4.3%
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
Myristic acid~2.1–3.2%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic

More about Myristic acid
Palmitic acid~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it

More about Palmitic acid
Stearic acid~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Potassium hydroxide~1.2–1.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to adjust the pH level of products

More about Potassium hydroxide
Lauric acid~1.1–1.7%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
CleansingAntibacterialAnti-blemish

Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes

More about Lauric acid
Glyceryl distearate~1–1.5%
Formula
Glyceryl stearate~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Kaolin~0.95–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Imperata cylindrica root extract~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer

More about Imperata cylindrica root extract
Tetrasodium edta~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract
Peg-14m~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Peg-14m
Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Carbomer~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
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 crosspolymer
Ingredient list view

Citrus limon fruit extract, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Water, Glycerin, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Lauric acid, Glyceryl distearate, Glyceryl stearate, Kaolin, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Tetrasodium edta, Citrus limon fruit extract, Peg-14m, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Compare prices

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Bluemercury
$26.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/13 12:35 GMT
$26.00
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Kiehl's
$26.00
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Ulta5.1 oz
$26.00
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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'sUltra Facial Oil-Free CleanserYOUR PRODUCTBring greenTea tree cleansing foamCliniqueAll About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming CleanserBARULABCocoon Cleansing Foam
Match—44%44%44%
Price$26.00—$9.12−$16.88$14.99−$11.01
Shared key ingredients—6 of 95 of 96 of 9
Key difference—Salicylic AcidSodium HyaluronateGluconolactone
Irritancy High Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

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  5. 5
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser
Kiehl'sUltra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.