Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream stands out in the crowded skincare market with its promise of 24-hour hydration. This cream is designed to cater to the needs of all skin types, leveraging the power of natural ingredients like Squalane for deep, lasting moisture. What sets it apart is not just its effectiveness but also its lightweight texture that leaves the skin feeling comfortable, not greasy. In this review, we’ll explore the scientific evidence behind Squalane, the main ingredient, and offer insights into how the cream performs under various conditions.
Clinique Smart Custom Repair Dry Combination Skin SPF15
- Best For:
Individuals looking for a reliable daily moisturizer that balances hydration without leaving a heavy residue.
- Uses:
Daily moisturization for face, suitable for morning and night application.
- Potential Allergens:
Minimal; designed to be gentle on sensitive skin.
- Active Ingredients:
Glacial Glycoprotein, Squalane.
- CRUELTY FREE:
- No.
- Pricing:
- $$-$$$
- About the brand:
Kiehl’s, established in 1851, offers science-backed, nature-inspired skincare, haircare, and body care solutions. Renowned for iconic products like Ultra Facial Cream and Creme de Corps, they prioritize high-quality ingredients and personalized customer experiences.
Understanding Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream: Benefits and Promises
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is engineered to provide essential hydration, making it a cornerstone of a healthy skincare routine. It promises to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in a smoother, more balanced complexion. This cream is particularly beneficial for those facing dryness, uneven texture, or seeking a moisture boost in their skincare regimen.
How Kiehl’s Delivers on Its Hydration Promise
The secret to the cream’s effectiveness lies in its key ingredient: Squalane. This naturally derived compound mimics the skin’s own moisture, ensuring deep penetration and lasting hydration without clogging pores. Its lightweight formula is designed to absorb quickly, offering immediate relief to dry skin.
The Science of Squalane: A Deep Dive
Squalane, a derivative of Squalene, is celebrated for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Research highlights its ability to not only provide deep hydration but also offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Studies support its bioavailability and its role in reducing hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides, showcasing its multifaceted benefits for skin health
Ingredients Suitability for Sensitive Skin
In collaboration with dermatology specialists, we have developed an in-depth guide to skincare ingredients used in this product, highlighting their functions and suitability for sensitive skin.
Table Key: 🟢 Very Gentle—ideal for extremely sensitive skin. 🟡 Gentle—low risk for most sensitive skin types. 🟠 Caution—potential for irritation in sensitive skin. 🔴 High Caution—consult a specialist before use on sensitive skin (Please be aware that the contents of this guide are for informational purposes only.)
Ingredients & Functions | Benefits for Skin | Sensitive Skin Index |
---|---|---|
Aqua/Water – Solvent | Hydrates the skin | 🟢 |
Glycerin – Skin-identical ingredient, Humectant | Moisturizes, restores barrier, protects | 🟢 |
Dimethicone – Emollient | Smooths skin, forms protective barrier | 🟢 |
Squalane – Skin-identical ingredient, Emollient | Moisturizes, smooths skin | 🟢 |
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane – Emollient, Humectant, Surfactant | Smooths, moisturizes, cleanses | 🟢 |
Sucrose Stearate – Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant | Natural emulsifier, stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Stearyl Alcohol – Emollient, Viscosity Controlling, Emulsifying, Surfactant | Stabilizes, thickens, smooths | 🟡 |
PEG-8 Stearate – Emulsifying, Humectant, Surfactant | Moisturizes, stabilizes formula | 🟡 |
Myristyl Myristate – Emollient | Smooths, thickens | 🟡 |
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil / Apricot Kernel Oil – Emollient | Nourishes, moisturizes | 🟢 |
Phenoxyethanol – Preservative | Preserves formula, gentle on skin | 🟢 |
Persea Gratissima Oil / Avocado Oil – Antioxidant, Emollient | Nourishes, moisturizes, rich in vitamins | 🟢 |
Glyceryl Stearate – Emollient, Emulsifying | Softens, stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Cetyl Alcohol – Emollient, Viscosity Controlling | Smooths, thickens | 🟡 |
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil – Antioxidant, Emollient | Nourishes, moisturizes | 🟢 |
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil / Olive Fruit Oil – Antioxidant, Emollient | Moisturizes, rich in fatty acids | 🟢 |
Chlorphenesin – Preservative, Antimicrobial | Preserves, antimicrobial properties | 🟢 |
Stearic Acid – Emollient, Viscosity Controlling | Smooths, stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Palmitic Acid – Skin-identical ingredient, Emollient, Emulsifying | Moisturizes, stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Carbomer – Viscosity Controlling | Thickens, stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer – Viscosity Controlling | Stabilizes, thickens formula | 🟢 |
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate – Chelating | Stabilizes formula | 🟢 |
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil / Sweet Almond Oil – Emollient | Nourishes, moisturizes | 🟢 |
Xanthan Gum – Viscosity Controlling | Stabilizes, thickens formula | 🟢 |
Ethylhexylglycerin – Preservative | Preserves formula, enhances other preservatives | 🟢 |
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is generally suitable for sensitive skin. Its ingredients are mostly gentle and beneficial, with many providing moisturizing, soothing, and antioxidant properties. Potential irritants like Stearyl Alcohol and Myristyl Myristate are present but are unlikely to cause issues for most users. The absence of fragrance and essential oils also makes it a better choice for sensitive skin. Overall, this cream is well-formulated to hydrate and protect without causing irritation.
Comparing Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream to Other Moisturizers
When compared to other moisturizers targeting similar concerns, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream stands out for its use of Squalane. Its formula strikes a balance between providing ample hydration and maintaining a lightweight feel, making it a versatile choice for various skin types, unlike some competitors that may feel too heavy or too light.
Personal Experience with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
From the first application, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream impresses with its silky texture and quick absorption. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and refreshed without any residue. Over time, the difference in skin texture and hydration level is noticeable, making it a staple in the daily skincare routine.
- Product Name:
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
- Product Brand:
- Kiehl’s
- Weight:
- 50ml
- Ingredients:
- Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethlhexanoate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernal Oil/Apricot Kernal Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil/Avocado Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil/Rice Bran Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Fruit Oil, Chlorphenesin, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil/Sweet Almond Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Myristic acid, Hydroxypalmitol Sphinganine, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid.
Final Verdict
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a standout product for those seeking reliable hydration with the added benefits of Squalane. Its formulation is effective yet gentle, making it suitable for a wide audience. While the price point may be higher than some alternatives, the quality and results justify the investment for many users.
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29883523/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22361190/