Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for sensitive skin
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Citric Acid
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Suitable for normal skin, this cleanser utilizes sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine to effectively cleanse pores, while Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract offers anti-inflammatory benefits that can help with your redness and irritation.
- Glycerin provides essential humectant action, supporting your skin's hydration needs.
- The formula is safe for your sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
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
How well does Kiehl's Calendula Cleanser work for sensitive skin?
This cleanser works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better. To care for this skin type, a cleanser of this type needs effective hydrating and soothing ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramide-3 to maintain moisture and prevent irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser works for your sensitive skin because it includes Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract to help calm redness and irritation, along with glycerin to keep your skin hydrated. However, a sensitive skin routine also needs barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and soothing actives like niacinamide to maintain skin health without stripping moisture.
What does Calendula Flower Extract do for sensitive skin?
Calendula flower extract helps calm sensitive skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help strengthen the skin barrier while easing redness.
What does Glycerin do for sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps keep sensitive skin soft and deeply hydrated while supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect against dryness and roughness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1999
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits into a sensitive skin routine as a morning and evening step to wash away dirt and makeup. To work best for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing and calming ingredients like Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and hydrating glycerin while lacking harsh chemicals.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol by applying it first to wash your face before putting on your retinol treatment. A cleanser of this type for sensitive skin needs gentle cleansing agents and calming ingredients like glycerin and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract to keep skin comfortable.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. A gentle cleanser like this helps keep sensitive skin clean while supporting your hydration needs, but this skin type needs extra soothing components and calming extracts to feel fully comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as it gently cleanses pores without heavy oils. However, because cleansers of this type can sometimes feel drying, sensitive skin needs formulas with extra glycerin and soothing plant extracts to keep it soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but the skin around your eyes is much thinner and may need a gentler cleanser that avoids essential oils like lemon peel and lemongrass oil to prevent irritation. To care for delicate areas safely, a cleanser of this type needs mild, ultra-gentle cleansing agents and soothing, fragrance-free hydration.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and citral).
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, 2017Topical 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, 2008The 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, 2012The 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, 2003A 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, 2013Daily 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, 2021Topical 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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