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Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 moderate moisturizing for your combination skin due to glycerin and panthenol, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, but lacks targeted ingredients for significant improvement of oily shine.
  • Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Bisabolol provide general soothing benefits supportive for combination skin, though stronger oil-control agents would better address your main goal.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this lightweight gel-cream is highly favored by users with oily and combination skin for its refreshing texture that effectively soothes redness and calms inflammation without feeling heavy. Some users with dry skin report it is not hydrating enough, and a small number of users dislike the tacky residue it can leave or experience irritation from the essential oils.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, absorbs fast Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly”
    • “weightless feel”
    • “watery freshness”
    • “melts into skin”
  • Good for oily skin Often Mentioned
    • “perfect for oily skin”
    • “non-greasy”
    • “doesn't clog pores”
    • “balances oil”
  • Soothing and calming Often Mentioned
    • “reduced redness”
    • “calms inflammation”
    • “soothing hydration”
    • “relieved discomfort”
  • Radiant finish Sometimes Noted
    • “healthy glow”
    • “dewy look”
    • “boosts radiance”
    • “fresh appearance”
  • Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft”
    • “smooth canvas”
    • “improves texture”
    • “makeup glides on”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “too expensive”
    • “pricey for results”
    • “not worth the money”
    • “small amount for price”
  • Not hydrating enough Sometimes Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough”
    • “skin felt tight”
    • “need to reapply”
    • “dry patches remained”
  • Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves a film”
    • “sticky residue”
    • “tacky feeling”
    • “slippery texture”
  • Causes irritation Rarely Noted
    • “burning sensation”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “tingling”
    • “made face itchy”
  • Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “smells like lemon candy”
    • “scent is overpowering”
    • “fragrance caused nausea”
    • “too perfumey”

Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, spacenk.com, femaledaily.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Kiehl's Calendula Water Cream work for combination skin?

This cream works moderately well for combination skin, offering basic hydration and calming benefits through glycerin and panthenol, but it lacks targeted ingredients to control oily shine. To truly improve combination skin, a product needs effective oil-control agents alongside balanced moisturizers and brighteners.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

Glycerin, panthenol, and calendula extract make this cream a good fit by providing moderate hydration and calming sensitive areas on combination skin. However, combination skin also needs targeted ingredients for oil control and brightening to manage shine effectively.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What do Micronized Calendula Petals do for combination skin?

Micronized Calendula Petals help calm combination skin, soothe dry or irritated areas, and support the skin barrier. These petals offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that help keep the skin smooth and balanced.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025

What does Calendula Flower Extract do for combination skin?

Calendula Flower Extract helps calm and soothe combination skin, keeping it feeling soft and comfortable. This plant extract is unlikely to irritate your skin and may help balance oily and dry areas.

Molecules, 2020

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This moisturizing treatment goes after your toner in the morning routine, and after your cleansing toner and treatment in the evening routine. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation, but a product of this type needs oil-control ingredients to better handle oily shine on combination skin.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this cream alongside retinol as part of your evening routine by applying it after your treatment step. A moisturizer of this type needs to include barrier-supporting ingredients like glycerin and panthenol to help keep your skin comfortable and reduce dryness while using retinol.

Cutis, 2006American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your skin hydrated. Regular daily application helps improve moisture levels and skin barrier function without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cream is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on your combination skin because it avoids harsh ingredients. However, to better manage combination skin, products of this type also need targeted oil-control ingredients.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

You can use this cream safely on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin directly around the eyes. This type of product needs a gentle formula with ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant extracts to keep dry or normal areas comfortable without heavy oils.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene, citral, citronellol, geraniol, farnesol, and linalool).

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

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Treatment 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, 2022

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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, 2012

  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

  • Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010

  • The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Limon Lemon Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Limonene, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Geranium Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Linalool, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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