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Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum for dry sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • Low RiskSafety

Works for dry sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 anti-aging benefits for your dry and sensitive skin, as adenosine and hydrolyzed soy protein work to minimize fine lines, while glycerin and biosaccharide gum-1 provide essential hydration for dryness.
  • The formula supports general skin hydration, but lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal moisture retention on dry skin.
  • The product is generally safe for your skin, though alcohol denat and parfum may pose a slight risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
  • Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This serum is highly regarded for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that effectively hydrates and firms men's skin. Users frequently report visible improvements in skin texture and a reduction in the appearance of forehead lines and wrinkles with consistent daily use.

Highlights

  • Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly”
    • “Sinks in fast”
    • “No sticky feeling”
  • Non-greasy feel Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't feel greasy”
    • “No residue”
    • “Lightweight gel”
  • Improves firmness Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels tighter”
    • “Visibly firmer”
    • “More resilient”
  • Reduces lines Sometimes Noted
    • “Forehead creases shallower”
    • “Helped with lines”
    • “Smoothed texture”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “It's pricey”
    • “Expensive for size”
    • “Costly for daily use”
  • Caused dryness Rarely Noted
    • “Skin still dry”
    • “Caused some irritation”
    • “Not hydrating enough”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Pump not functioning”
    • “Bottle issues”
    • “Dispenser problems”
  • Subtle results Rarely Noted
    • “No apparent tightening”
    • “Hard to notice”
    • “Slow to see change”

Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, macys.com, ulta.com, bloomingdales.com, spacenk.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Age Defender Power Serum work for dry sensitive skin?

Kiehl's Age Defender Power Serum works for dry sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because this formula lacks enough heavy moisturizing ingredients to lock in moisture. Treatments that fit dry sensitive skin best need rich, nourishing ingredients and ceramides to protect the skin barrier and prevent irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026

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

Glycerin, biosaccharide gum-1, adenosine, and hydrolyzed soy protein help hydrate dry skin and smooth fine lines. To truly fit dry skin, a product of this type needs rich skin-softening oils, protective sealing ingredients, and ceramides to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier without irritating fragrances or drying alcohols.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Cypress Extract do for dry sensitive skin?

Cypress extract is unlikely to be the best fit for dry sensitive skin because it is typically used for oily skin and targeted treatments like reducing dark spots rather than adding much-needed moisture. Dry sensitive skin needs gentle, rich hydrators and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, panthenol, and colloidal oatmeal to keep the skin calm and smooth.

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2022

What does Glycerin do for dry sensitive skin?

Glycerin helps dry sensitive skin by drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it there, making the skin soft and smooth. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving how well the skin holds onto water. This type of skin needs ingredients that boost hydration and repair the barrier without causing stinging.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008

Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine before your moisturizer. A product of this type needs rich, soothing hydrators and protective sealants to properly lock in moisture and comfort dry skin.

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

You can use this treatment in your evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer, but apply your retinol on a different night or use it very carefully since the alcohol and fragrance may easily trigger irritation on dry sensitive skin.

How often should I use it?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. This product of this type needs rich smoothing and sealing ingredients to keep dry and sensitive skin properly locked in with moisture.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, though alcohol denat and parfum may pose a slight risk of irritation. A product of this type needs rich, nourishing hydrators and barrier-protecting ingredients to keep dry skin comfortable and smooth.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

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

What the research says

  • Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches showed similar or better efficacy on skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration compared to adenosine cream in 22 female subjects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

  • 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

  • Horse oil-spread and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkles compared with adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches in 20 women without causing adverse events.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Why other serums fit dry sensitive skin better

  • In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026

  • Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Limonene, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium Edta, Adenosine, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Linalool, Citral

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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