Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer Review

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer
6.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
2.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Review

Does Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer has to offer:
 
  • Significant moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 6.0 out of 10.

Key Benefits of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer:
 

Lightweight Moisturizer Perfect for Combination and Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer is highly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 6.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 2.0 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propylene Glycol (est. ≈9.0%) and Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%).

This type of moisturizer is ideal for people with combination and oily skin who want maximum hydration in a relatively lightweight, non-greasy formula. It combines a significant amount of humectants with a limited amount of occlusive ingredients to boost moisturizing efficacy without feeling too heavy.

This product may also be a good choice for people with normal skin who prefer fast-absorbing textures, as it balances significant moisturizing potential with a relatively lightweight texture.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to combination and oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

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

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Pros & Cons of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Humectant-rich moisturizing perfect for combination and oily skin
  • Also a good choice for people with normal skin who prefer fast-absorbing textures
  • Lightweight texture
  • A humectant moisturizing boost for any skincare routine

Cons: 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
9
6
4
3
2.5
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
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Dicaprylyl Ether
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
PEG-100 Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Squalene
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Oleate
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Triethanolamine
Function:
Origin:
Beeswax
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Stearic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Myristyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
13.3
9
4
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
4.1
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
6.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 13.3 10
10.0
9
4
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 4.1 20
2.0
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
6.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
9
4
0.3
All humectants 13.3 10
10
All humectants
13.3
9
4
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 4.1 20
2.0
All occlusives
4.1
2.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 2.6 3 No
All antioxidants
2.6
Squalene
2
Tocopherol
0.3
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
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.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %9
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.
Dicaprylyl Ether
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Dicaprylyl EtherA fast-spreading and very lightweight emollient. It is used to reduce the tack and oiliness of oil-based formulas and gives the skin a dry, silky after-feel. It is also a great solvent.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

PEG-100 Stearate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PEG-100 StearateThis 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.
Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Glyceryl StearateAn 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.
Squalene
Est. %2
Function
Origin
SqualeneOne of the main ingredients in the skin’s sebum. It helps to rebuild the natural oily film on the skin’s surface and to prevent transdermal water loss. Squalene is listed among common comedogenic ingredients by acne.org.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneA viscous liquid that makes a great oil base due to its smooth sensorial profile. It has emollient features, including good spreadability and little tack upon application. It also has the added benefit of being able to thicken products.
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.
Sorbitan Oleate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sorbitan OleateA vegetable-based ingredient that stabilizes mixtures of oil and water. Sorbitan oleate serves primarily as an emulsifier that produces water-in-oil emulsions.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn 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.
C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
PEG-Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-Crosspolymer
Triethanolamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TriethanolamineA clear, colorless, and highly viscous liquid, this ingredient is an excellent pH adjuster. When it is necessary to neutralize an acidic solution or to generally increase the pH of a product, triethanolamine is a common choice.
Beeswax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BeeswaxA 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.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

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.

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.
Stearic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Stearic AcidA saturated fatty acid found in vegetable butter and animal fats. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient and also helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin.
Myristyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Myristyl AlcoholA naturally derived fatty alcohol that thickens and stabilizes emulsions.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) OilAn emollient and occlusive oil derived from sweet almonds. It has a favorable fatty acid composition (mainly oleic and linoleic acids), and a high content of vitamin E. Almond oil is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel OilA 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.
Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) OilA fatty oil expressed from the fleshy part of an avocado, used in skincare for its excellent emollient and occlusive moisturizing properties. Avocado oil contains fatty acids, notably oleic acid (up to 80%), squalene, vitamin E, and carotenoids.