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Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin, this product's caffeine and panthenol offer antioxidant activity and humectant action to address oily shine and provide energizing effects.
  • The inclusion of glycerin further enhances its moisturizing capabilities, smoothing texture and ensuring adequate hydration.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like panthenol and tocopherol.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this daily moisturizer is frequently praised for its fast-absorbing, lightweight, and non-greasy formula that provides a refreshing sensation, making it ideal for normal-to-combination skin. Some users find it insufficient for very dry skin and note that it offers basic hydration without advanced anti-aging benefits. A low number of reviews mention a strong menthol tingle or a premium price point.

Highlights

  • Fast absorbing Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs in under 60 seconds”
    • “Soaks right up”
    • “Non-greasy finish”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Not at all greasy”
    • “Feels very clean”
    • “Lightweight cream-to-gel”
  • Refreshing sensation Often Mentioned
    • “Immediate depuffing effect”
    • “Cooling effect”
    • “Invigorating tingle”
  • Easy to use Sometimes Noted
    • “Easiest sell to men”
    • “Simple and effective”
    • “Great for beginners”
  • Lacks deep hydration Sometimes Noted
    • “Insufficient for dry skin”
    • “Lacks occlusives”
    • “Not rich enough”
  • Basic functionality Rarely Noted
    • “Doesn't do much else”
    • “Only moisturizes”
    • “Lacks active ingredients”
  • Premium price point Rarely Noted
    • “Overpriced relative to alternatives”
    • “Pricier than competitors”
  • Strong menthol tingle Rarely Noted
    • “Strong cooling effect”
    • “Redness around cheeks”
    • “A bit strong”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, spacenk.com, influenster.com, target.com, looksmaxman.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Kiehl's Facial Fuel a great fit for combination skin?

This product is a great fit because its caffeine and panthenol help control oily shine while keeping your skin calm. The glycerin in the formula also smooths out your skin texture and provides steady hydration without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

Caffeine and panthenol help handle oily shine and energize your skin, while glycerin and tocopherol smooth out texture and keep your skin nicely hydrated. This blend is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Vitamin E do for combination skin?

Vitamin E helps balance combination skin by boosting moisture while calming redness and reducing oiliness in shiny areas. It is generally well-tolerated and may help protect the skin barrier, keeping both dry and oily patches comfortable and smooth.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner and before your SPF in the morning, and after your treatment step in the evening. It is a great fit for combination skin because its caffeine and panthenol help control oily shine while keeping your skin hydrated and smooth.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this moisturizer. This routine helps keep your combination skin hydrated while minimizing any dryness or irritation that retinol may cause.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this cream?

This moisturizing treatment is a great fit for your combination skin and is safe for daily use. It helps keep your skin hydrated and smooth while addressing oily shine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This moisturizing treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your combination skin. Its lightweight formula provides balanced hydration while soothing components like panthenol help keep your skin calm and clear.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

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

This moisturizing treatment is well-suited for the body, but you should avoid applying it directly around the delicate skin of the eyes. Its formulation uses glycerin and panthenol to help hydrate and smooth the skin safely without irritation, though eye areas require specialized products designed for thinner skin.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, and citral) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • 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
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Topical application of a cosmetic cleanser containing Diospyros kaki folium, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Castanea crenata var. dulcis extracts reduced skin oil content by 77.3%, pore number by 24.83%, and pore size by 71.43% in healthy volunteers compared to a control cleanser.

    Biomedical Reports, 2015
  • A Castanea sativa spiny burs extract-loaded topical emulsion improved skin hydration, skin elasticity, and reduced periorbital wrinkles in 30 days in healthy human volunteers compared to placebo without altering skin barrier function, sebum, pH, or erythema.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021
  • An antioxidant surfactant-free topical formulation containing Castanea sativa leaf extract demonstrated stable physical and microbiological properties, a release rate of 610 ± 70 µgh(-0.5), and a significant in vivo moisturizing effect lasting at least 4 hours.

    Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2015
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Polyacrylamide, Dimethiconol, Glyceryl Oleate, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chestnut Seed Extract, Benzophenone-4, Menthol, Limonene, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Glyceryl Linolenate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Juice, Lemon Juice, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, Ci 42090, Blue 1, Ci 14700, Red 4

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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