Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment
4.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
7.7 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.6 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
6.9Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 4.2 out of 10.
  • Significant anti-wrinkle efficacy. With an anti-wrinkle rating of 6.9 out of 10, Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment is effective in minimizing wrinkles.
  • Soothing: Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment has a moisturizing rating of 4.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.6 out of 10 and a high humectancy of 7.7 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Niacinamide (est. ≈5.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment has a high anti-wrinkle rating of 6.9 out of 10.

It contains 2 active ingredients with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy:

  • Niacinamide (est. ≈5.0%),
     one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.
  • Glycolic Acid (est. ≈3.0%),
     highly effective in peelings, yet with below-average anti-wrinkle efficacy when used in leave-on skincare products.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈5.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin soothing

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Niacinamide (est. ≈5.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
5
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
7.7
5
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
1.3
1.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
4.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 7.7 10
7.7
5
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 1.3 20
0.6
1.3
Moisturizing rating
4.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
5
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 7.7 10
7.7
All humectants
7.7
5
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
1.3
All occlusives 1.3 20
0.6
All occlusives
1.3
1.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 5 6
1.5 /10 5 3 0.9
Total
6.9
Niacinamide
6
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
5
Glycolic Acid
0.9
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
3
Anti-wrinkle rating
6.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 6.2 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
6.2
Niacinamide
5
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
0.3
Tocopheryl Acetate
0.3
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
5
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 5.9 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
5.9
5
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Niacinamide
Est. %5
Function
Origin

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Est. %4
Function
Origin
A white, very finely powdered starch extracted from corn. It works as an anti-caking and absorbent ingredient in powdered products, as well as as a thickening agent in liquids. It also helps to create a matte finish after application.
Glycolic Acid
Est. %3
Function
Origin

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Stearyl Alcohol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
A natural fatty alcohol that thickens, stabilizes, and keeps emulsions a bright white color. It has many uses, the main one being as an emulsifier. It also acts as an opacifying agent and emollient.
Glycerin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Octyldodecyl Myristate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
A luxurious feeling ester that remains light and silky despite its richness.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An emollient and emulsifier typically derived from vegetable sources through a chemical reaction with glycerin. It provides stability, texture, and consistency to formulations. Its main function is to allow oil and water to mix.
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally occurring clay that is hygroscopic, which means that it easily absorbs water. This ingredient is thus commonly used as an absorbent and emulsion stabilizer. It also modifies slip by improving the spreadability of the products it is used in.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
The most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Polyacrylamide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic ingredient that can thicken products instantly while still keeping them light and often gel-like.
Ceteareth-20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fatty alcohol emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water together, best for oil-in-water emulsions. It is also a cleansing agent. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20 forms a mix that, according to acne.org, can be comedogenic.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.
PEG-100 Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
This surfactant is more specifically classified as an emulsifier that produces oil-in-water emulsions. PEG-100 stearate can also be used as a cleansing agent.
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A derivative of resorcinol whose anti-pigment activity is well-researched and backed by science. It is very light-sensitive and must be protected by packaging or careful formulation.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A lightweight petroleum derivative. It is a very thin liquid that functions as an emollient and a solvent for other liquids (such as thicker oils or silicones).
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Laureth-7
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A mild but effective functional ingredient. It can emulsify (efficiently mix water and oil) without needing too much in a formula.
Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A version of plain lecithin that has been saturated with hydrogen atoms. This ingredient can be derived from plants, like soy or sunflower, from egg yolks, or made synthetically. Its major function is to emulsify water and oils.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.