Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate for sensitive skin
Squalane
Lavender Essential Oil
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Rosa Canina Oil Fruit
Curcuma Longa Root ExtractAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 benefits for your normal skin with sensitivity, as squalane and Rosa Canina Oil Fruit provide excellent moisturization and barrier support, though they do not directly target your primary concern of redness and irritation.
- The inclusion of Lavandula Angustifolia Lavender Oil and Coriandrum Sativum Coriander Seed Oil offers soothing properties that can complement your skin's sensitivity.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
- You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
- Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsThis facial oil is widely praised as a holy grail for dry or tired skin, with users consistently reporting a noticeable morning glow and improved plumpness after overnight use. Results are polarized for acne-prone users; while some find it balances oil production, a significant minority experience breakouts or cystic acne due to the essential oils. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Restores radiance Mostly Mentioned
- “woke up glowing”
- “skin looks rested”
- “banished dullness”
- “noticeable morning radiance”
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up”
- “erased dry patches”
- “soft and supple”
- “plumped fine lines”
Relaxing scent Often Mentioned
- “calming lavender smell”
- “helps me sleep”
- “soothing aromatherapy”
- “smells like a spa”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “not greasy at all”
- “absorbs instantly”
- “light texture”
- “doesn't stain pillow”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “tiny white bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “worst breakout ever”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for the size”
- “not worth the money”
- “overpriced oil”
Fragrance irritation Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “irritated my eyes”
- “too much essential oil”
- “scent caused headache”
Sits on skin Rarely Noted
- “felt oily all night”
- “didn't sink in”
- “greasy residue”
- “just sat on top”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, kiehls.com, makeupalley.com, skincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate work for sensitive skin?
This product works moderately well for sensitive skin, as its oils provide good moisture and barrier support, though it does not directly target redness and irritation. A moisturizing treatment for this skin needs ingredients that actively soothe redness and calm irritation while keeping skin soft.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Squalane and Rosa Canina Oil Fruit help make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by keeping it soft and supporting the outer barrier. Lavender Essential Oil and Coriandrum Sativum Coriander Seed Oil also help calm your skin.
What does Squalane do for sensitive skin?
Squalane helps calm sensitive skin by defending against everyday irritation and keeping it smooth and soft. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports your skin barrier so it stays comfortable and hydrated.
What does Lavender Essential Oil do for sensitive skin?
Lavender essential oil is generally safe and non-irritating, helping to provide softness and moisturizing effects for the skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, though sensitive skin may still react to essential oils depending on individual tolerance.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Veterinary Parasitology, 2025
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Sensitive skin works best with products that contain soothing plant extracts and barrier-supporting oils to calm irritation and keep skin soft.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
This treatment is safe to use with retinol, applying it after your retinol step to help keep sensitive skin comfortable. Because this option only offers a moderate fit for redness, sensitive skin handling retinol needs products with soothing ingredients like ceramides and calming plant extracts to better target irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is used in the evening routine. Sensitive skin needs a product with soothing plant extracts and calming ingredients to target redness and irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
Yes, this treatment may occasionally cause breakouts on sensitive skin, as some reviewers note. A product of this type needs non-clogging, lightweight oils and soothing plant extracts to keep sensitive skin smooth and clear without causing breakouts.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on your body, as it has a very good skin tolerance and safe profile. However, because sensitive skin needs a product that directly targets redness and irritation with soothing plant extracts and gentle barrier builders, this average fit would work better with added calming ingredients specifically for those concerns.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (linalool, citronellol, geraniol, limonene, and citral).
What the research says
Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Polysaccharide-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, 2021Plant-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, 2025Gellan 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 nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract significantly reduced wound area, increased TGF-beta1 and collagen gene expression, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and promoted faster tissue healing in rats compared to untreated and vehicle controls.
Journal of Tissue Viability, 2020Electrospun 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, 2019Topical treatments containing rosehip extract may reduce the size and erythema of postsurgical scars through macrophage polarization and inflammatory cytokine inhibition, though current clinical evidence remains insufficient to recommend its routine use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Sunflower and rosehip oil nanoemulsions prepared with a mix of phospholipids and synthetic emulsifiers permeated intact skin to the dermis and showed a more prominent healing effect in a human organotypic skin explant culture wound model compared to nanoemulsions prepared only with phospholipids.
Pharmaceutics, 2023A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.
Pharmaceutics, 2023Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024
Why other moisturizers fit sensitive 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, 2024A dexpanthenol-containing cream accelerated skin barrier repair, increased stratum corneum hydration, reduced skin roughness, and decreased skin redness compared to vehicle and untreated controls in sodium lauryl sulphate-irritated skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2002Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Ingredients
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Squalane, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Oenothera Biennis Evening Primrose Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba Seed Oil Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Coriander Seed Oil Oil, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Lavender Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil Flower, Linalool, Rosmarinus Officinalis Rosemary Oil Leaf, Citronellol, Geraniol, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Cucumis Sativus Cucumber Fruit Extract Extract, Curcuma Longa Turmeric Root Extract Extract, Limonene, Citral, Sclareolide, Rosa Spp Rose Oil Flower, Jasminum Officinale Jasmine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sunflower Seed Oil
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
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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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