Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser for skin with dark spots
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Kaolin
Pseudoalteromonas Extract FermentHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with myristic acid and glycerin, while kaolin provides mild cleansing without stripping. Although it offers excellent cleansing and hydration, its benefits are not directly targeted towards your main goal of pigmentation.
- The formula is safe for your normal skin, as glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract offer soothing properties, and there are no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
- The presence of citrus medica limonum lemon fruit extract offers some antioxidant support, which can be beneficial for overall skin health.
How to apply
- You can use this cleanser AM and PM every single day. Start slowly 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in your morning routine or the second step in your evening routine. Follow it with toner and moisturizer.
- Massage a small amount of cleanser gently onto your face using circular motions. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- For the best results, apply your cleanser directly to wet skin to help wash away dirt. Make sure your face is clean before you begin.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes. Always do a quick patch test before using the product for the very first time.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is widely praised by users with oily and normal skin for its ability to deeply cleanse and remove excess sebum without leaving a residue, often described as leaving skin "squeaky clean." A significant minority of users, particularly those with combination or sensitive skin, find the formula too stripping, leading to a tight, dry feeling after use.
Highlights
Excellent oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “Great for oily skin”
- “Removes all grease”
- “Matte finish”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Squeaky clean feel”
- “Pores feel tighter”
- “Removes dirt well”
Rich lather Often Mentioned
- “Foams up beautifully”
- “Little goes a long way”
- “Thick creamy foam”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “Face felt tight”
- “Stripped my skin”
- “Too harsh for winter”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No strong smell”
- “Good for sensitive noses”
- “Clean scent”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Pricey for a cleanser”
- “Expensive daily wash”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Broke me out”
- “Caused small bumps”
- “Acne flared up”
Thick texture Rarely Noted
- “Hard to rinse off”
- “Feels like soap”
- “Residue left behind”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, kiehls.com, makeupalley.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a great fit because it effectively washes away impurities and keeps skin soft with glycerin and myristic acid, while kaolin cleans gently without stripping. It is safe for your skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and no harsh extras, though it does not directly target dark spots.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Lemon fruit extract offers some antioxidant support which can help overall skin health, though this cleanser does not directly target dark spots. Glycerin and Imperata cylindrica root extract provide soothing properties, while kaolin and myristic acid cleanse without stripping.
What does Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract helps keep dry skin hydrated and comfortable, but it is not known to directly lighten dark spots. Products designed to fade dark spots on this type of skin typically need ingredients like plant-derived brightening extracts and gentle hydrating agents to even out skin tone while maintaining moisture.
What does Lemon Fruit Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Lemon fruit extract helps brighten dark spots and even out skin tone due to its natural vitamin C and exfoliating properties. It may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it is best used in your evening routine alongside a daily sunscreen. When a product of this type does not fit well, skin with dark spots needs gentle brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to fade discoloration without irritation.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser fits well into your morning and evening routine, coming right after your makeup remover when you wear makeup. It gently washes away impurities while keeping your skin calm, though it does not directly target your dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol product. Using a gentle cleanser helps keep your skin comfortable while you use active treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine, as it is safe and provides gentle cleansing without stripping your skin. Using a mild cleanser daily helps keep your skin clean while supporting your overall routine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for skin with dark spots, as reviewer complaints about breakouts are low and the formula contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients. Glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract help keep the skin calm and comfortable while you wash.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take extra care around the thin skin of your eyes. Its gentle ingredients like glycerin and kaolin help cleanse safely, though you should watch for any dryness or irritation in more delicate areas.
Is this cleanser 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, 2017The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Tetrasodium Edta, Citrus Medica Limonum Lemon Fruit Extract Extract, Peg-14m, Pseudoalteromonas Extract Ferment, Methylisothiazolinone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
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
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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