Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser for dry skin
Squalane
Avocado Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Vitamin E
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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 moderate suitability for your dry skin as decyl glucoside and glycerin provide effective cleansing and supportive hydration, though specialized ingredients to fully address dryness are limited.
- Squalane and apricot kernel oil offer some emollient benefits, but a richer blend would better combat flakiness for your dry skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is widely appreciated for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively cleanses without compromising the skin barrier, making it a favorite for sensitive and combination skin. Many users highlight its ability to remove makeup and impurities while maintaining skin hydration. Some users with very dry or reactive skin have noted it can be slightly stripping or feel overpriced for its simple formulation.
Highlights
Gentle, non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't strip my skin's natural oils”
- “leaves face feeling clean and soft”
- “gentle enough for sensitive skin”
- “skin feels comfortable, not tight”
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes light makeup easily”
- “dissolves excess oil and dirt”
- “face feels squeaky clean”
- “great second step in double cleansing”
Suitable for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “fantastic for sensitive skin”
- “no scent/fragrance-free”
- “doesn't cause redness or irritation”
Good texture/lather Sometimes Noted
- “lathers nicely without being overly foamy”
- “rich and creamy texture”
- “little goes a long way”
- “smooth gel consistency”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “leaves my skin feeling stripped”
- “made my face a little dry”
- “too drying for winter months”
- “tight feeling after washing”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for a basic cleanser”
- “overpriced compared to drugstore alternatives”
- “not worth the premium price”
- “good but pricey”
Basic formula Rarely Noted
- “nothing exceptional here”
- “pretty darn basic”
- “boring but effective”
- “just an average cleanser”
Ingredient concerns Rarely Noted
- “contains parabens”
- “dislike the SLES content”
- “caused minor breakouts”
- “stings eyes if not careful”
Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, ulta.com, sephora.sg, sephora.co.uk, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser work for dry skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for dry skin, providing basic cleansing and supportive hydration from glycerin and decyl glucoside without causing irritation. However, a richer blend of hydrating ingredients and plant oils would better combat flakiness and dryness.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Squalane, glycerin, and avocado oil make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin by helping cleanse without stripping moisture and providing supportive hydration. A cleanser for dry skin needs a richer blend of hydrating agents and soothing plant oils to better combat flakiness and dryness.
What does Squalane do for dry skin?
Squalane helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by acting as a hydrating agent that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect the skin from damage while improving overall hydration.
Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012Molecules, 2009
What does Avocado Oil do for dry skin?
Avocado oil helps improve skin smoothness and elasticity while reducing the appearance of wrinkles in dry skin. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first step to clean your skin before you apply your hydrating toners and moisturizers. Dry skin needs a cleanser that also provides rich plant oils and heavy butters to help prevent flakiness and lock in moisture.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol as part of your routine, washing your face before applying your treatment. This cleanser is safe for your skin with no harsh ingredients, but because dry skin needs extra care, a cleanser for this skin needs richer nourishing oils and barrier-restoring ingredients to better combat flakiness.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It is safe for dry skin and is unlikely to cause irritation, though dry skin needs a richer blend of moisturizers and oils to better combat flakiness.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as its formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, because it only offers moderate suitability for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer oils and deep moisturizers to fully combat flakiness and keep dry skin properly hydrated.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser on your body, but take care around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more easily irritated. The formula is gentle and safe for your dry skin, though a cleanser for dry skin needs richer oils and deep hydrators to better combat flakiness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2017Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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
Why other cleansers fit dry skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates Copolymer, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Distearyl Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Laureth-2, Propylparaben, Sodium Methylparaben, Squalane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Sweet Almond Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Apricot Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Persea Gratissima Avocado Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.