Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Kaolin
Pseudoalteromonas Extract FermentSuperior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by Kaolin and Citrus Medica Limonum Lemon Fruit Extract, which help regulate sebum and offer mild exfoliation to manage oiliness and breakouts.
- Glycerin and myristic acid further enhance cleansing and hydration, effectively clearing pores without stripping your skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin, featuring soothing Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and avoiding harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
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”
- “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 one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is one of the best fits because kaolin and lemon fruit extract help manage oiliness and breakouts on oily skin. Glycerin and myristic acid clear pores effectively without stripping your skin, while soothing imperata cylindrica root extract keeps things calm.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2022
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Kaolin and lemon fruit extract make this cleanser a great fit by helping control oil and gently exfoliating to manage breakouts. Glycerin and myristic acid clear pores and hydrate your skin without stripping it, while soothing imperata cylindrica root extract keeps the formula safe and gentle.
What does Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract helps keep oily acne-prone skin feeling comfortable and hydrated without adding extra oil. This type of ingredient works well for oily skin when it provides lasting moisture while helping the skin stay soft and smooth.
What does Lemon Fruit Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Lemon Fruit Extract helps refresh oily acne-prone skin by gently clearing away excess oil and dead skin cells. It may also help brighten dark spots left behind by breakouts, though it can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is used as the first step in your morning routine and as the second step in your evening routine right after your makeup remover. It helps clear away oil and impurities while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol by applying it first to cleanse your skin before your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser helps clear your pores and manage oiliness without stripping your skin, supporting your routine safely.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is suitable for daily use morning and evening as part of your regular routine. Using a mild cleanser regularly helps manage oiliness and clear pores without stripping your skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses kaolin and lemon fruit extract to help manage oiliness and clear pores. Glycerin also helps clean the skin without stripping it, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients to keep your skin calm.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is generally too strong for the very thin skin around the eyes and is better suited for facial use rather than the body. The face formula is designed to manage oil and breakouts, so using it in delicate areas may cause irritation.
Is this cleanser 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, 2017Myristic acid reduced inflammation and nociception by increasing IL-10 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages, reducing acute and chronic TPA-induced ear edema in mice, and involving the nitrergic system in formalin-induced paw licking.
Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2022The 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.
-
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.