Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water
Ingredients

Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Coco-Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Phytic Acid, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil, Thymus Zygis Flower Oil
Review

Does Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water Work?

 
Kiehl's Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water 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 Ingredient Breakdown section below.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
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
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Function:
Origin:
Arginine
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Phytic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Function:
Origin:
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:
Thymus Zygis Flower Oil
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.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Propanediol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Arginine
Est. %2
Function
Origin
ArginineA humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %1.5
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.
Coco-Betaine
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Coco-BetaineA naturally-derived cleansing agent often paired with other surfactants. It can help make other cleansing agents less harsh on the skin, and it also provides high amounts of fine foam.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Caprylyl/Capryl GlucosideA naturally-derived surfactant used for gentle cleansing and foam-boosting when combined with other surfactants.
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium Cocoyl GlutamateA naturally-derived surfactant with gentle cleansing and some foaming ability.
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Phytic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Phytic AcidPhytic acid is found in rice and is seen as a cousin of alpha-hydroxy acids. As a chelator, it can bind to certain metals that may cause discoloration in products or reduce the efficacy of other ingredients.
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Buddleja Davidii ExtractAn extract of summer lilac with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds such as iridoids, various terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. More research is needed in order to evaluate its functions.
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) ExtractDerived from thyme, this antioxidant, antiseptic and fragrant extract consists mainly of thyme essential oil (with its spicy herbal scent), flavonoids, terpenes, and organic acids.
Sodium Chloride
Est. %0.3
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.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Cocoyl GlutamateA very effective yet mild cleansing ingredient derived from coconut oil.
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.
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil
Thymus Zygis Flower Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Thymus Zygis Flower Oil