Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream for oily acne-prone skin
Hyaluronic Acid
Squalane
Caffeine
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for oily skin due to the humectant action of glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which provide hydration without exacerbating oiliness, though it lacks specific ingredients for optimal oil control.
- While adenosine and various hydrolyzed proteins offer general anti-aging and plumping benefits, the formula does not contain targeted ingredients to effectively address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients or known irritants.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly regarded by users with oily and combination skin for its lightweight, hydrating formula that improves elasticity and smooths fine lines without feeling greasy. Users with dry skin conditions often find it lacks sufficient moisture for colder months, and a few users reported minor breakouts or an unpleasant scent.
Highlights
Lightweight gel texture Mostly Mentioned
- “The texture is like a cloud—so lightweight”
- “Feels like gel rather than cream.”
- “Much more lightweight and gel like than the original”
- “Lightweight, essence-like texture that it's perfect for summer”
Absorbs quickly Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs beautifully but does not completely disappear or feel greasy.”
- “Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or sticky residue”
- “Really absorbs into the skin rather than just sitting on top”
- “Quickly absorbs into a shine free finish.”
Plumps and hydrates Often Mentioned
- “Plumps and hydrate my skin as it absorbs over night.”
- “My skin feels bouncy”
- “Plumps up skin. Awesome all-rounder”
- “Highly moisturizing and hydrating, keeping the skin soft”
Smooths fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “Smoothens fine lines.”
- “Smoothed out my forehead lines after two weeks”
- “I do think it helped with the fine lines”
- “Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”
Insufficient for dry skin Sometimes Noted
- “People with dry skin might find it too lightweight”
- “Not enough moisture for their needs.”
- “Next time I'll buy a product more suitable for dry skin!”
- “Gave it to my mom who has dry skin.”
May cause breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Started to notice some little pimples”
- “Got some small bumps on my forehead”
- “Not sure about potential blemishes”
Pilling or heavy Rarely Noted
- “Slight pilling effect and it feels a bit heavy”
- “Didn't love how much I felt it on my face”
- “Looks too shiny after application.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a scent which I really don't like”
- “Has a bit of an alcohol smell”
- “Faint chemical scent.”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.sg, bloomingdales.com, my-origines.com, hwahae.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream work for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin because ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide lightweight hydration without adding extra oil. However, it lacks targeted ingredients to address breakouts and blemishes. A moisturizing treatment for this skin needs oil-controlling ingredients, lightweight hydrating agents, and blemish-fighting components without heavy oils.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help make this cream a fit for oily skin by providing hydration without adding extra oil. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, a product for this skin type needs acne-fighting components and lightweight hydrators that do not clog pores.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the morning and evening routine right after cleansing and any toners or serums. While it is safe for oily skin, this skin type needs a moisturizer with ingredients that specifically control oil and help with breakouts.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the treatment after your retinol has fully absorbed, which helps keep your skin soft and calm while you treat breakouts. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside strong acne treatments is unlikely to cause irritation and may reduce dryness.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream works for your oily acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better because this formula lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts and oil control. To best support this skin type, a moisturizer should instead feature oil-controlling and blemish-fighting ingredients alongside lightweight hydration.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very low risk of causing blemishes and contains no harsh irritants. However, since it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and breakouts, an oily acne-prone skin needs a product with specific blemish-fighting ingredients.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cream on the body and around the eyes, as it is very safe and well-tolerated on skin. However, because the skin around the eyes and on certain body areas is often much thinner than facial skin, a moisturizing treatment of this type needs light, hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to nourish those delicate regions without feeling heavy.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches showed similar or better efficacy on skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration compared to adenosine cream in 22 female subjects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Horse oil-spread and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkles compared with adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches in 20 women without causing adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Caffeine, Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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