Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream for oily skin
Micronized Calendula Petals
Glycerin
Panthenol
BisabololAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 your oily skin as Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Bisabolol provide soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, though the formula lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients to fully address excess oil shine.
- Glycerin and panthenol offer excellent moisturizing properties, enhancing barrier resilience and providing general hydration that supports your skin's health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lightweight gel-cream is highly favored by users with oily and combination skin for its refreshing texture that effectively soothes redness and calms inflammation without feeling heavy. Some users with dry skin report it is not hydrating enough, and a small number of users dislike the tacky residue it can leave or experience irritation from the essential oils.
Highlights
Lightweight, absorbs fast Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “weightless feel”
- “watery freshness”
- “melts into skin”
Good for oily skin Often Mentioned
- “perfect for oily skin”
- “non-greasy”
- “doesn't clog pores”
- “balances oil”
Soothing and calming Often Mentioned
- “reduced redness”
- “calms inflammation”
- “soothing hydration”
- “relieved discomfort”
Radiant finish Sometimes Noted
- “healthy glow”
- “dewy look”
- “boosts radiance”
- “fresh appearance”
Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels soft”
- “smooth canvas”
- “improves texture”
- “makeup glides on”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive”
- “pricey for results”
- “not worth the money”
- “small amount for price”
Not hydrating enough Sometimes Noted
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “skin felt tight”
- “need to reapply”
- “dry patches remained”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “leaves a film”
- “sticky residue”
- “tacky feeling”
- “slippery texture”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “burning sensation”
- “caused breakouts”
- “tingling”
- “made face itchy”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smells like lemon candy”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “fragrance caused nausea”
- “too perfumey”
Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, spacenk.com, femaledaily.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Kiehl's Calendula Water Cream work for oily skin?
This cream works moderately well for oily skin, offering soothing care and hydration without causing irritation. However, it lacks ingredients that actively control excess shine. Oily skin works best with products that combine lightweight hydrating agents with oil-controlling ingredients and peptides to keep shine in check without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and panthenol make this cream a good fit by providing hydration and supporting skin barrier health, while calendula extract and bisabolol help calm the skin. Oily skin also needs ingredients that control excess shine, along with peptides and a lightweight feel that avoids heavy oils and breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What do Micronized Calendula Petals do for oily skin?
Micronized Calendula Petals help calm and balance oily skin by providing gentle plant extracts that soothe the skin surface. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and may support a clearer, more comfortable complexion when used regularly.
What does Calendula Flower Extract do for oily skin?
Calendula Flower Extract helps calm oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores. It helps balance the skin and reduce irritation, making it a good choice for keeping oily areas clear and smooth.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes after your cleanser and toner in the morning, and after your cleanser, toner, and treatment in the evening. It provides hydration and soothing benefits, though oily skin often needs extra ingredients that help balance oil shine.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside retinol by applying it after your retinol treatment to help soothe your skin and keep it hydrated. This type of routine works best when the moisturizer also includes ingredients that help control excess oil shine.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your skin hydrated and calm. Daily application helps improve moisture levels and supports your skin barrier without causing irritation, though oily skin also needs targeted ingredients to fully control excess shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe formula with no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation. However, because it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients, oily skin types often need a formula packed with ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or clay to properly manage excess shine.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is safe to use around the eyes or on the body, but oily skin of this type needs products with ingredients that control excess oil and shine.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene, citral, citronellol, geraniol, farnesol, and linalool).
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, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical 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, 2002Topical application of Calendula officinalis extract cream significantly improved skin hydration and firmness (reflected in significant changes in R0 and R6 parameters) in 21 healthy human volunteers compared to a base cream.
Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2011Treatment with standardized extract of Calendula officinalis L. led to a shorter epithelization time and faster healing speed compared to mineral oil in patients with acute skin loss wounds of the hand and fingers healing by secondary intention.
Tissue Barriers, 2022Topical administration of Calendula provides weak evidence of effectiveness in acute and chronic wounds compared to standard treatments based on a narrative review of available trials.
Wounds, 2008The 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, 2012Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Limonene, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Geranium Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Linalool, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract
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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