Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Kaolin
Pseudoalteromonas Extract FermentLow
- LowDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for dry sensitive skin; the cleansers alongside 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 excellent cleansing for your dry and sensitive skin, as myristic acid and glycerin effectively cleanse pores while providing hydration.
- Kaolin and citrus medica limonum lemon fruit extract are present, which can strip natural oils and offer weak humectant action, making it moderately unsuitable for dry skin.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is widely praised by users with oily and normal skin for its ability to deeply cleanse and remove excess sebum without leaving a residue, often described as leaving skin "squeaky clean." A significant minority of users, particularly those with combination or sensitive skin, find the formula too stripping, leading to a tight, dry feeling after use.
Highlights
Excellent oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “Great for oily skin”
- “Removes all grease”
- “Matte finish”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Squeaky clean feel”
- “Pores feel tighter”
- “Removes dirt well”
Rich lather Often Mentioned
- “Foams up beautifully”
- “Little goes a long way”
- “Thick creamy foam”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “Face felt tight”
- “Stripped my skin”
- “Too harsh for winter”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No strong smell”
- “Good for sensitive noses”
- “Clean scent”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Pricey for a cleanser”
- “Not worth $27”
- “Expensive daily wash”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Broke me out”
- “Caused small bumps”
- “Acne flared up”
Thick texture Rarely Noted
- “Hard to rinse off”
- “Feels like soap”
- “Residue left behind”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, kiehls.com, makeupalley.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser a weak match for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a weak match because it contains kaolin and lemon fruit extract, which can strip natural oils from dry skin. A cleanser for dry sensitive skin needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Kaolin and lemon fruit extract make this cleanser a weak match because they can strip natural oils from dry skin. A cleanser for this skin type needs a rich blend of hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin.
What does Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Imperata cylindrica root extract helps hydrate dry skin by holding moisture in, making flaky patches feel soft and smooth. It is generally gentle, but dry sensitive skin also needs soothing ingredients and barrier-repairing elements like ceramides to stay calm and comfortable.
What does Lemon Fruit Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Lemon Fruit Extract may irritate dry sensitive skin because its natural acids and citrus compounds can be too harsh for a compromised skin barrier. When your skin is easily irritated, products of this type need soothing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin calm and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine before applying a soothing toner and moisturizer. Because this cleanser contains ingredients that may strip natural oils, dry skin needs a gentle, hydrating cleanser that washes away impurities while protecting natural moisture.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser may not be the best fit because some ingredients can strip natural oils, making it less suitable for dry skin. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and barrier-restoring lipids to keep the skin calm and soft.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a weak match for dry sensitive skin because certain ingredients may strip natural oils. To keep dry skin comfortable, a cleanser of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and a soap-free formula that cleanses pores without stripping moisture.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin. However, it may cause drying and stripping because certain ingredients can remove natural oils.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be too harsh for the thin skin around your eyes and your body because some ingredients can strip natural oils. Dry sensitive skin needs cleansers with gentle moisturizers and mild cleansing agents to keep it soft and calm.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 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, 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, 2012Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Tetrasodium Edta, Citrus Medica Limonum Lemon Fruit Extract Extract, Peg-14m, Pseudoalteromonas Extract Ferment, Methylisothiazolinone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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