Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing16 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Our Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturiser retains essential moisture in skin for a healthier, rebalanced skin barrier.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": alanine, aspartic acid.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol, urea
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (imperata cylindrica root extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains aspartic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Menthol + 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%
Glycerin~3.9–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Isononyl isononanoate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolImperata cylindrica root extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Imperata cylindrica root extractDivinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymer~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePolyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexylene glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolBeheneth-10~0.35–0.8%
Panthenol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPeg-100 stearate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.75%
- 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 stearatePolyacrylamide~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPseudoalteromonas ferment extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Fructose~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseBht~0.1–0.45%
Glucose~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseC13-14 isoparaffin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinBiosaccharide gum-1~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Menthol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Disodium edta~0.1–0.35%
C12-13 pareth-23~0.15–0.55%
Laureth-7~0.1–0.35%
C12-13 pareth-3~0.1–0.35%
Triethanolamine~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCarbomer~0.1–0.35%
- 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 CarbomerUrea~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaDextrin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.1–0.3%
- 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 crosspolymerHexyl nicotinate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be able to enhance blood flow in the skin. Can be irritating and result in skin redness
More about Hexyl nicotinateSucrose~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseGlutamic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidAspartic acid~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
More about Aspartic acidAlanine~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Isononyl isononanoate, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Divinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether, Hexylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Beheneth-10, Panthenol, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Polyacrylamide, Xanthan gum, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Fructose, Bht, Glucose, C13-14 isoparaffin, Biosaccharide gum-1, Menthol, Disodium edta, C12-13 pareth-23, Laureth-7, C12-13 pareth-3, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Urea, Dextrin, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Hexyl nicotinate, Sucrose, Glutamic acid, Aspartic acid, Alanine
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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 Oil-Free LotionYOUR PRODUCT | BIOAQUAPOWER GEL MOISTURIZER | BIOTHERMAQUAPOWER GEL MOISTURIZER | EVY TechnologyDaily Tan Activator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 60% | 58% |
| Price | $31.20 | $38.00+$6.80 | $8.62−$22.58 | $33.05+$1.85 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 9 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Kiehl's - Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (panthenol, urea, alanine, aspartic acid and biosaccharide gum-1) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). C13-14 isoparaffin, caprylyl glycol, glyceryl stearate and isononyl isononanoate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 95.68CA$ in Canada, for 125.22A$ in Australia, for 39.59$ in the United States and from 23.60£ up to 29.50£ 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 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Allergic contact dermatitis from grassespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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