Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
- Anti-aging
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
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.
Works for
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Our Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturiser retains essential moisture in skin for a healthier, rebalanced skin barrier.
Source: Boots
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
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
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
Anti-aging
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.
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
Anti-oxidation
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.
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
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.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion | Current | $23.60 | |
 BIOTHERM Hydratant soin dynamique oligo-thermal AquaPower | 60% | $43.00 | |
 BIO AQUAPOWER GEL MOISTURIZER | 60% | $38.00 | |
 EVY Technology Daily Tan Activator | 58% | $25.00 | |
 Hormeta Horme Mat Fluide Rééquilibrant Nuit | 56% | - | |
 Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream | 55% | $135.00 |
Key Actives
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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
Might be able to enhance blood flow in the skin. Can be irritating and result in skin redness
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
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Potential irritants
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
Might be able to enhance blood flow in the skin. Can be irritating and result in skin redness
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
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.
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
Used to create a thicker product consistency
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
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.
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
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
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
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
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
Might be able to enhance blood flow in the skin. Can be irritating and result in skin redness
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
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
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
Ingredient 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
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Safety Assessment of Acryloyldimethyltaurate Polymers as Used in Cosmetics
- Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Topical Glucose Induces Claudin-1 and Filaggrin Expression in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis and in Keratinocyte Culture, Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects by Repairing Skin Barrier Function
- Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
- Topical urea in skincare: A review
- The effects of topically applied hexyl nicotinate lotion on the cutaneous blood flow in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon
- Hexyl-Nicotinate-Induced Vasodilation in Normal Human Skin
- Differences among moisturizers in affecting skin susceptibility to hexyl nicotinate, measured as time to increase skin blood flow
- Acetyl aspartic acid, a novel active ingredient, demonstrates potential to improve signs of skin ageing: from consumer need to clinical proof
- In vivo topical application of acetyl aspartic acid increases fibrillin-1 and collagen IV deposition leading to a significant improvement of skin firmness
- Combination of amino acids reduces pigmentation in B16F0 melanoma cells