🇫🇷France

Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate for sensitive skin

High

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even 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 redness and irritation as Glycerin and Tocopherol provide hydration and support, though they are not specifically targeted for these concerns.
  • This formula is highly suitable for your normal skin type due to the humectant action of Glycerin and Propanediol, which provide adequate hydration without overwhelming your skin.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Glycerin and Tocopherol.

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

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for delivering intense, lightweight hydration that effectively plumps the skin and smooths fine lines, making it a favorite for those with dehydrated, dull, or dry skin. It also frequently serves as an excellent primer, creating a smooth, radiant base for makeup. A small number of users reported clogged pores or a silicone-like feel, while a few others experienced no visible results or found the product to be pricey.

Highlights

  • Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “Feels like a drink of water”
    • “Fixed my dehydrated skin”
    • “Gorgeously hydrating”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Sinks in instantly”
    • “No sticky residue”
    • “Gel-like texture absorbs quickly”
  • Visible plumping Often Mentioned
    • “Skin looks noticeably more plump”
    • “Lines around my eye melted away”
    • “Skin appears bouncy”
  • Makeup primer Sometimes Noted
    • “Foundation blends in perfectly”
    • “Ideal primer”
    • “Zero patchiness”
  • Clogged pores Rarely Noted
    • “Caused tiny white bumps”
    • “Clog my pores”
    • “Gave me more pimples”
  • High price Rarely Noted
    • “Quite pricey”
    • “Expensive”
    • “Would not waste my money”
  • No results Rarely Noted
    • “Saw absolutely no difference”
    • “Used the entire bottle and no change”
    • “Don't see a major difference”
  • Silicone feel Rarely Noted
    • “Feels like a silicone-based primer”
    • “Dimethicone is high on the list”

Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, kiehls.com.sg, kiehls.ca, macys.com, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum a great fit for sensitive skin?

This product is a great fit because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin and tocopherol that help keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable. These ingredients support your skin barrier while providing gentle hydration that is unlikely to cause irritation.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Glycerin and Tocopherol make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by offering soothing support without harsh ingredients. Glycerin also helps keep your skin well hydrated.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Glycerin do for sensitive skin?

Glycerin helps keep sensitive skin soft and deeply hydrated while supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect against dryness and roughness.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1999

What does Epidermal Hydration Filler do for sensitive skin?

Epidermal Hydration Filler helps keep sensitive skin calm and soft while boosting moisture and strengthening the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall skin comfort.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after your cleansing and toning steps, making it simple and safe for your skin. Using it at night helps avoid any extra sun sensitivity while providing steady hydration and support.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to keep your skin calm and hydrated, and following it with your retinol. This approach helps maintain your skin barrier and makes the retinol more comfortable for sensitive skin.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment is used in the evening as part of your routine for sensitive skin. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and supports the skin barrier.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your sensitive skin, as reviewers rarely report clogged pores and the formula avoids harsh ingredients. It helps keep your skin calm and hydrated with gentle components like glycerin and tocopherol.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this serum safely around the eyes and on your body because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin and tocopherol. This product type is well-tolerated on thin skin areas, though you should apply it gently to avoid any accidental irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2017
  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • 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
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
  • Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.

    The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
  • 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
  • Topical adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.

    The Journal of Dermatology, 2008
  • 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
  • Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium Edta, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol

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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Prices checked 21 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for France.

How does it fit your skin?

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