Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream for combination skin
Squalane
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Lavender Oil
Zinc GluconateAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin due to the presence of salicylic acid for mild exfoliation, but lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- Glycerin and squalane provide excellent moisturizing benefits and enhance barrier resilience, which is beneficial for overall skin health.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with normal to dry skin frequently praise this cream for its ability to deeply hydrate and repair the moisture barrier without feeling heavy, often waking up to a visibly plumper and more radiant complexion. While many enjoy the botanical scent and "cloud-like" texture, those with sensitive skin or fragrance aversions occasionally report irritation or find the smell overpowering.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “woke up with plump skin”
- “skin feels supple and soft”
- “got rid of my dry patches”
- “hydration lasts all night”
Lightweight whipped texture Often Mentioned
- “feels like a cloud on my skin”
- “whipped texture absorbs instantly”
- “lightweight but super moisturizing”
- “fluffy consistency sinks right in”
Non-greasy finish Often Mentioned
- “doesn't leave a sticky residue”
- “no oily film on my pillow”
- “matte but moisturized feel”
- “perfect for oily combo skin”
Radiant morning glow Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks glowing in the morning”
- “complexion looks refreshed and bright”
- “takes away the dullness”
- “looks like I slept 8 hours”
Relaxing lavender scent Sometimes Noted
- “smell helps me fall asleep”
- “soothing spa-like fragrance”
- “love the calming herbal scent”
- “perfect aromatherapy for bedtime”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive for the amount”
- “pricey for a basic moisturizer”
- “jar is small for the cost”
- “not worth the high price tag”
Strong botanical fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is way too overpowering”
- “smells too strongly of lavender”
- “fragrance gave me a headache”
- “wish it was unscented”
Causes skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused red itchy bumps”
- “broke me out in cystic acne”
- “burning sensation upon application”
- “not safe for sensitive skin”
Not rich enough Rarely Noted
- “need something heavier for winter”
- “not moisturizing enough for very dry skin”
- “had to apply multiple layers”
- “felt dry again by morning”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, kohls.com, sephora.co.uk, kiehls.com, cultbeauty.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream work for combination skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for combination skin, offering mild exfoliation and good moisture, though it lacks enough oil control for your oily areas. To fit combination skin best, a product needs effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients that reduce oily shine without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and squalane make this cream a good fit for combination skin because they provide soft hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. For combination skin to fit better, a product of this type also needs ingredients for oil control, brightening, soothing, and balancing moisture without excess oil.
What does Squalane do for combination skin?
Squalane helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It supports the skin barrier and provides lightweight hydration that works well for both dry and oily areas.
Skin Health and Disease, 2024Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025
What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for combination skin?
Butyrospermum parkii butter helps keep combination skin soft and smooth while supporting the skin barrier. This ingredient is generally well tolerated, though a product for this skin type also needs lightweight hydration to balance oilier zones without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes near the end of your morning and evening routines after cleansers and treatments. Combination skin needs a product with effective oil control ingredients for oily areas along with lightweight hydration.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help keep your skin calm and moisturized. This type of combination works safely, though combination skin also needs targeted oil-control ingredients for optimal balance in shiny areas.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer daily in both your morning and evening routines. Daily application helps keep your skin soft and maintains moisture balance, though combination skin also needs targeted ingredients for oil control on your oily areas.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on your combination skin because it has a safe formula without harsh ingredients. However, it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients for your oily areas, so combination skin often needs lightweight hydrators and oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is safe for your combination skin and may be used on your body, but you should avoid applying it around the eyes because the facial skin there is much thinner and more sensitive. To care for thin eye areas and body skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and targeted soothing ingredients that manage sensitivity without heavy oils.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (linalool, geraniol, citral, and citronellol). 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, 2017Squalane 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 combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Electrospun poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) patches loaded with evening primrose oil applied to the forearm of volunteers for 6 hours increased skin moisture, with pore size, shape, and fiber diameter influencing oil transport.
Biomaterials Advances, 2022A topical preparation containing urea, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, and sodium pyruvate led to clinical improvement after a month in diverse hyperkeratotic skin conditions except pityriasis lichenoides.
Medicina Cutanea Ibero-latino-americana, 1986Topical application of linseed, evening primrose, and olive oil emulsions accelerated wound closure in rats with excision wounds compared to untreated controls, though via different mechanisms.
Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 2019Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Shea Butter, Squalane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cellulose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil Flower, Rosa Damascena Oil Flower, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavender Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Oil Leaf, Rosemary Oil Leaf, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Silica, Adenosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ultramarines, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Citronellol
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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