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Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, this product's caffeine and panthenol offer antioxidant activity and humectant action, respectively, to energize and hydrate. Ascorbyl glucoside and caffeine provide moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, and oiliness or shiny skin by offering antioxidant and energizing effects.
  • The formula provides excellent moisturizing due to glycerin and panthenol, which hydrate and smooth texture, aligning well with your skin type.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like panthenol and tocopherol.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple 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 Energizing Moisture Treatment a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer is a great fit because it provides excellent hydration for oily skin while helping to energize the skin and keep breakouts under control. It uses glycerin and panthenol to smooth your skin texture, and it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycerin and panthenol make this cream a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because they hydrate and smooth texture without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Caffeine and ascorbic acid also help calm and energize the skin while managing extra shine and blemishes.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Vitamin C do for oily acne-prone skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out texture, and improve uneven spots for oily acne-prone skin. It may also help fade marks left behind by blemishes.

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

What does Vitamin E do for oily acne-prone skin?

Vitamin E helps reduce oiliness, redness, and dark spots on oily acne-prone skin while improving moisture. It also helps calm irritation and smooth the skin when used consistently.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2014

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing treatment is used as a moisturizer step in the morning and evening routine. It is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because its glycerin and panthenol hydrate and smooth texture while caffeine and vitamin E offer antioxidant activity.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

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

You can use this moisturizing treatment with retinol by applying the cream after your retinol to help keep your oily skin soft and calm. Using a moisturizer alongside active treatments is unlikely to cause irritation and may help reduce dryness.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment daily to hydrate and smooth your skin while helping manage oiliness and breakouts. Its safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing treatment is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. It has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients like panthenol and vitamin E, so it will not irritate your skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This cream can be used on the body, but it is not specifically formulated for the very thin skin around the eyes. Because body skin is thicker and can handle more product, regular moisturizers work well there, while the eye area typically requires specialized lightweight care.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

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

  • Topical 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, 2002
  • 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 tocopherol succinate ethosomal gel decreased erythema, melanin, and sebum levels while improving moisture content and skin elasticity in 34 human women.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • 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.

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How does it fit your skin?

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