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Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum

Low

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

A weak match for combination skin; the serums alongside 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 anti-aging effects for smoothing texture due to the presence of adenosine and hydrolyzed soy protein, which provide general skincare benefits like hydration and emollience with glycerin and dimethicone for your combination skin.
  • While the formula is safe for your combination skin and free of harsh ingredients, it lacks sufficient components for optimal oil control on your oily areas.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This serum is highly regarded for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that effectively hydrates and firms men's skin. Users frequently report visible improvements in skin texture and a reduction in the appearance of forehead lines and wrinkles with consistent daily use.

Highlights

  • Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly”
    • “Sinks in fast”
    • “No sticky feeling”
  • Non-greasy feel Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't feel greasy”
    • “No residue”
    • “Lightweight gel”
  • Improves firmness Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels tighter”
    • “Visibly firmer”
    • “More resilient”
  • Reduces lines Sometimes Noted
    • “Forehead creases shallower”
    • “Helped with lines”
    • “Smoothed texture”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “It's pricey”
    • “Expensive for size”
    • “Costly for daily use”
  • Caused dryness Rarely Noted
    • “Skin still dry”
    • “Caused some irritation”
    • “Not hydrating enough”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Pump not functioning”
    • “Bottle issues”
    • “Dispenser problems”
  • Subtle results Rarely Noted
    • “No apparent tightening”
    • “Hard to notice”
    • “Slow to see change”

Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, macys.com, ulta.com, bloomingdales.com, spacenk.com, and more

Questions and answers

Why is Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum a weak match for combination skin?

This serum is a weak match for your combination skin because it lacks sufficient components for optimal oil control on your oily areas, even though it provides basic hydration and smoothing. A treatment for combination skin needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide balanced hydration without overwhelming the skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for combination skin?

This serum is a weak match for your combination skin because it lacks sufficient components for optimal oil control on your oily areas. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and manage oily shine while providing balanced hydration.

What does Cypress Extract do for combination skin?

Cyperus rotundus essential oil is typically used in topical treatments for hyperpigmentation and hair reduction rather than for balancing combination skin. Because this product type is not an ideal match for your skin type, a suitable alternative for combination skin needs balancing ingredients that hydrate dry areas while managing excess oil in the T-zone.

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2022Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2014

What does Glycerin do for combination skin?

Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine for combination skin, applied after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Because it is a weak match for this skin type, a product of this type needs additional ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this treatment with retinol, applying it after your cleanser and toner and before your moisturizer in your evening routine. While the formula is safe for your combination skin, this type of product needs ingredients for oil control on your oily areas to be a better match for your skin.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Because this product is a weak match for your combination skin, an ideal product of this type needs extra oil-balancing ingredients to manage shine on your oily areas.

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your combination skin because the formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients. However, it lacks sufficient components for optimal oil control on your oily areas, so combination skin needs lightweight hydrators and oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, and citral) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • Adenosine-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, 2018

  • Horse 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, 2019

  • Topical 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, 2026

  • 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, 2017

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

  • Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.

    Military Medicine, 2024

  • A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2000

  • Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.

    Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007

  • A 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2019

  • Caffeine 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, 2021

Why other serums fit combination skin better

  • Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.

    BioMed Research International, 2022

  • 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, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Limonene, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium Edta, Adenosine, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Linalool, Citral

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
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