Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream for acne-prone skin
Squalane
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Lavender Oil
Zinc GluconateAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 as salicylic acid provides mild exfoliation, while glycerin and squalane offer excellent moisturization to enhance barrier resilience.
- The formula lacks sufficient ingredients for strong oil control, which is a key concern for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
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 Cloud Cream work for acne-prone skin?
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, though other options fit it better. It provides gentle moisturization and mild exfoliation, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for strong oil control. A moisturizer for this skin needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients and blemish-fighting extracts to keep breakouts under control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream works for acne-prone skin because salicylic acid provides mild exfoliation, while glycerin and squalane give your skin plenty of moisture. It is also made with zinc gluconate, evening primrose oil, and shea butter to help calm and soften your skin. However, an acne-prone skin type needs a moisturizer with stronger oil control ingredients to help manage breakouts.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Squalane do for acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep acne-prone skin soft and smooth, but peroxidated forms can trigger inflammation in skin cells. For a better fit on acne-prone skin, products need non-clogging, soothing ingredients that balance oil without causing irritation.
What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for acne-prone skin?
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter can feel quite rich on acne-prone skin and may clog pores for some people. A product of this type needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil without heavy blockage.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes in the final step of your morning and evening routines. A product of this type for acne-prone skin needs ingredients that help control oil and target breakouts.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first and following it with this moisturizer. This order helps keep your skin soft and calm while reducing the dryness that retinol often causes.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer daily in your morning and evening routines, as its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation. However, because it lacks strong oil control for blemishes and breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a product with targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help keep pores clear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream may not cause irritation because it has a good safety profile with no harsh ingredients, but acne-prone skin needs a product with strong oil control to truly manage breakouts.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on the body, as its safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, it needs gentle, hydrating ingredients to keep the area smooth without feeling heavy.
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
The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Squalane 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
Why other moisturizers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-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 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 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, 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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