Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser Review

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser
Review

Does Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser Work?

 
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Perlite
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Chlorphenesin
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
Function:
Origin:
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe 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.
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Sodium Cocoyl GlycinateSodium cocoyl glycinate is a cleansing agent derived from coconut fatty acid and glycine, which is an amino acid. It is a mild surfactant, meaning it gently removes oil and dirt particles from the skin leaving it feeling clean but still lathered. It's also responsible for a creamy afterfeel of a product.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Acrylates Copolymer
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Acrylates CopolymerA highly functional synthetic ingredient that forms a protective layer on the skin and reduces static buildup. It gives an emollient feel to the product, including a silky after-feel.
Perlite
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Perlite
Sodium Chloride
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Sodium Chloride

You’re definitely familiar with sodium chloride, even if you don’t think you are. It’s table salt! Salt works well with some cleansing ingredients (surfactants) to thicken them into gels. It also acts as a stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe 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.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Chlorphenesin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ChlorphenesinA preservative and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that protects products from a wide range of bacteria and fungi.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilAn essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractA soothing extract obtained from a hybrid species of tree peony that contains various active compounds such as astringent tannins, terpenes, and paeonols.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.