Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream

Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream
6.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
7.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
5.1 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream:

  • Significant moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 6.4 out of 10.

How moisturizing is it?

Highly moisturizing: Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream has a moisturizing rating of 6.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather humectant. It has a high humectancy of 7.8 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%), and a moderate occlusivity of 5.1 out of 10, mainly due to the significant content of Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil (est. ≈4.0%) and Dimethicone (est. ≈2.5%).

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

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains some ingredients marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Calcium PCA, Adenosine, Copper PCA, and Alteromonas Ferment Extract. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

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

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
9
6
4
3
2.5
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
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
7.8
6
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
10.1
4.0
2.5
1.5 x 2
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
6.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
6
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 10.1 20
5.1
4.0
2.5
1.5 x 2
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
6.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
All humectants
7.8
6
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
4
2.5
1.5 x 2
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 10.1 20
5.1
All occlusives
10.1
4.0
2.5
1.5 x 2
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Calcium PCA
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Adenosine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Copper PCA
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.9 3 No
All antioxidants
0.9
Tocopherol
0.3
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
0.3
Corallina Officinalis Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
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.
Cyclohexasiloxane
Est. %9
Function
Origin
A clear silicone fluid with very low viscosity that is commonly used as a solvent and emollient. It has excellent spreadability, rubs in quickly, and leaves a silky smooth after-feel on the skin.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin

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

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Est. %4
Function
Origin
A fatty oil expressed from the seed kernels of apricot fruits. This oil is an emollient and occlusive moisturizer comprised of around 60% oleic acid, followed by linoleic and palmitic acid, carotenoids, vitamin E, and other antioxidant compounds.
Cetyl Alcohol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
A waxy solid fatty alcohol derived from palm oil. It is most commonly used as a co-emulsifier and affects the final aesthetic of the product, leaving a soft and silky feeling on the skin. Cetyl alcohol is also used as a viscosity controlling agent.
Dimethicone
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
The most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Est. %2
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.
Petrolatum
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Also known as Vaseline, this is the most powerful occlusive moisturizer and at least twice as effective as other occlusives. This is why we multiply the petrolatum score by 2 when calculating the Occlusivity of the product. Petrolatum is not comedogenic.
Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %1.3
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.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A powerful emulsifier that can even mix particularly problematic water and oil blends. It is also a surfactant perfect for cleansing products that effectively rinse off oil and dirt particles from the surface of the skin.
PEG-40 Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
This PEG, or polyethylene glycol, is excellent at emulsifying water and oil together to form oil-in-water emulsions. Due to its water-loving nature, PEG-40 stearate can also act as a cleansing agent.
Sorbitan Tristearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Beeswax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A waxy substance made by bees while they are building their honeycombs. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient with wound healing and antimicrobial properties similar to those of honey. Its bleached, purified form is called Cera alba.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
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.
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.
Dimethiconol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic dimethicone with rich, non-tacky emolliency. It features the typical sensorial profile of silicones, with high spreadability and a luxurious, oil-free after-feel. Dimethiconol can also serve as an antifoaming agent.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Stearyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
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.
Myristyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally derived fatty alcohol that thickens and stabilizes emulsions.
Arginine PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.
Calcium PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

Description is coming soon

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An antioxidant, astringent and soothing extract derived from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves, a rare Chinese tree that is endangered in the wild, but grown nowadays as a decorative tree in parks. When taken orally, the extract can improve memory and brain function.
Adenosine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

A key molecule responsible for energy transportation, signaling, and enzyme activity. Adenosine is a popular anti-wrinkle ingredient, however, the key study about its anti-wrinkle efficacy (1) does not meet CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards as it is not double-blind.

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A mixture of proteins obtained from soybeans. It can have many different functions depending on the manufacturer, although it is most commonly used in skincare products as a humectant moisturizing ingredient.
Copper PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

A blue-green synthetic salt of copper and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. It has antimicrobial properties and may be able to help with wound healing and sebum control, although the studies are lacking.

Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An (allegedly) anti-wrinkle mixture of exopolysaccharides from marine microorganisms.
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An extract from red marine alga, Corallina officinalis is used in skincare for its antioxidant properties. It also contains an immense amount of calcium and special, sulfur-containing polysaccharides.