Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for oily skin
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Citric Acid
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, which calms inflammation and reduces excess oil, complemented by Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil for its mild astringent properties. Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine ensure effective pore decongestion, addressing your oily shine concerns.
- The formula is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and lacks harsh ingredients, minimizing any risk of irritation.
- This product offers a highly effective and safe cleansing experience tailored for your specific skin needs.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel-to-foam cleanser is highly regarded by users with normal to oily skin for its effective deep cleansing that leaves skin feeling refreshed and soothed without stripping essential moisture. It is frequently noted for its ability to calm redness and control shine. Some users with dry or sensitive skin have reported it can be slightly drying or irritating.
Highlights
Deep cleans without stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleanses well without stripping my skin of essential moisture”
- “Leaves my face feeling comfortable and fresh without any tightness”
- “Face feels clean but not dried out”
- “Removes dirt and oil without the squeaky clean, tight feel”
Great for oily/combo skin Often Mentioned
- “Best face wash for my oily skin”
- “Helps control the shine”
- “Balances my combination skin perfectly”
- “Keeps my T-zone in check without drying cheeks”
Soothing and calming Often Mentioned
- “Helps relieve visible redness and discomfort”
- “Great for soothing acne-prone skin”
- “Calms my skin and reduces irritation”
- “Feels very gentle and soothing on the face”
Efficient / Long-lasting Sometimes Noted
- “A little goes a long way”
- “One pump is enough for the whole face”
- “Bottle lasts for months”
- “Lathers up richly with a small amount”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “Left my skin feeling tight”
- “Too stripping for my dry skin”
- “Caused some dry patches around my nose”
- “Not hydrating enough for winter use”
Poor makeup removal Rarely Noted
- “Doesn't remove heavy makeup well”
- “Need a separate makeup remover first”
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “Left some residue after washing”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “A bit on the pricey side”
- “Expensive for a face wash”
- “Good but not sure it's worth the high price”
- “Wish it was more affordable”
Scent preference Rarely Noted
- “Smells a bit like medicine”
- “Faint floral-herbal scent may not suit everyone”
- “Don't like the herbal smell”
- “Scent is a bit strong for me”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, sephora.com, sephora.co.uk, ulta.com, kiehls.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash one of the best fits for oily skin?
This cleanser is one of the best fits for your oily skin because it uses Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil to calm inflammation and reduce excess oil. Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine also help clear out pores to keep oily shine under control while keeping irritation unlikely.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil make this cleanser a great fit by calming inflammation, reducing excess oil, and providing mild astringent benefits. Additionally, ingredients like Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine help effectively clear out pores to control oily shine.
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.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after makeup removal. It helps calm inflammation and reduces excess oil while decongesting pores for your oily skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using it in your morning routine or as part of your evening routine before applying your retinol treatment. This helps keep pores clear and calms the skin while keeping irritation unlikely.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It helps clear pores and manage oily shine safely without causing irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin. Its ingredients help clear out pores and calm excess shine, though some users find it can feel drying.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is designed for the face and may be too drying or harsh for the thin skin around the eyes. While you can use it on your body, its specific ingredients are mainly formulated to target excess oil and shine on facial skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and citral).
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Topical 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, 2008A 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, 2001The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003Topical 20% citric acid lotion increases viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycan content in sun-damaged skin compared to vehicle alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 1997
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Edta, Propylene Glycol, Geranium Oil, Citral, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Citric Acid
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
How does it fit your skin?
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