Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser for mature skin
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Kaolin
Pseudoalteromonas Extract FermentHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for mature skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 normal skin, as myristic acid and glycerin effectively remove impurities while maintaining hydration. Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and glycerin also provide moderate benefits for your wrinkles and fine lines by enhancing moisture retention.
- Kaolin offers mild cleansing without stripping, complementing the humectant action of glycerin for your normal skin type.
- The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser as part of both your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily since your skin is normal and not sensitive.
- Apply this first in your routine before using your toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin for the best fresh feeling. Make sure your face is clean of heavy makeup first.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area while washing. Do a quick patch test before your very first use to be safe.
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
What makes Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser a great fit for mature skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for mature skin because myristic acid and glycerin effectively remove impurities while maintaining hydration, and Imperata cylindrica root extract helps smooth the look of wrinkles and fine lines by boosting moisture retention. It is also safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin?
Glycerin, Imperata Cylindrica root extract, and myristic acid make this cleanser a great fit for mature skin by helping to remove impurities while maintaining hydration and improving moisture retention for fine lines. Its gentle formula is also safe for your skin.
What does Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract do for mature skin?
Imperata cylindrica root extract is unlikely to provide specific benefits for mature skin on its own. A product of this type needs nourishing ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, or plant extracts that help firm the skin, support collagen, and smooth fine lines.
What does Lemon Fruit Extract do for mature skin?
Lemon Fruit Extract helps brighten mature skin and protects against daily damage by providing rich antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, keeping your skin looking fresh and healthy.
Food Research International, 2020Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2026
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first step after removing makeup. It gently removes impurities while helping your skin hold onto moisture, keeping it safe and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol treatment. It is a great fit for mature skin because it gently removes impurities while helping your skin hold onto moisture, which keeps your face soft and smooth during your routine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Using a gentle daily cleanser helps keep your skin clean while supporting hydration and comfort.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin because its formula avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin. Reviewers rarely complain about breakouts, though some users note a drying feeling.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a great fit for mature skin, but you should avoid using it around the eyes because the facial formula is not tailored for the ultra-thin skin found in that area. It is safe to use on the body, though cleansers meant for the body generally benefit from richer oils and barrier-supporting ingredients to keep thicker skin soft and smooth.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Tripotassium phosphate (TPP) solutions and mixtures of TPP with lauric or myristic acid exhibited strong microbicidal activity against various gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeasts in vitro, and washing processed broiler chicken skin with TPP and fatty acid mixtures significantly reduced populations of aerobic bacteria, campylobacters, E. coli, pseudomonads, and yeasts.
Journal of Food Protection, 2005A 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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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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.