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Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream for oily acne-prone skin

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

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

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

  • Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin due to the presence of salicylic acid, which provides some exfoliation, and glycerin and squalane that offer excellent moisturization and barrier support. These ingredients hydrate and enhance resilience, though they are not specifically targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • While the formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration, it lacks sufficient ingredients for strong oil control, which is one of your additional goals.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with normal to dry skin frequently praise this cream for its ability to deeply hydrate and repair the moisture barrier without feeling heavy, often waking up to a visibly plumper and more radiant complexion. While many enjoy the botanical scent and "cloud-like" texture, those with sensitive skin or fragrance aversions occasionally report irritation or find the smell overpowering.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “woke up with plump skin”
    • “skin feels supple and soft”
    • “got rid of my dry patches”
    • “hydration lasts all night”
  • Lightweight whipped texture Often Mentioned
    • “feels like a cloud on my skin”
    • “whipped texture absorbs instantly”
    • “lightweight but super moisturizing”
    • “fluffy consistency sinks right in”
  • Non-greasy finish Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave a sticky residue”
    • “no oily film on my pillow”
    • “matte but moisturized feel”
    • “perfect for oily combo skin”
  • Radiant morning glow Sometimes Noted
    • “skin looks glowing in the morning”
    • “complexion looks refreshed and bright”
    • “takes away the dullness”
    • “looks like I slept 8 hours”
  • Relaxing lavender scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smell helps me fall asleep”
    • “soothing spa-like fragrance”
    • “love the calming herbal scent”
    • “perfect aromatherapy for bedtime”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “too expensive for the amount”
    • “pricey for a basic moisturizer”
    • “jar is small for the cost”
    • “not worth the high price tag”
  • Strong botanical fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “scent is way too overpowering”
    • “smells too strongly of lavender”
    • “fragrance gave me a headache”
    • “wish it was unscented”
  • Causes skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “caused red itchy bumps”
    • “broke me out in cystic acne”
    • “burning sensation upon application”
    • “not safe for sensitive skin”
  • Not rich enough Rarely Noted
    • “need something heavier for winter”
    • “not moisturizing enough for very dry skin”
    • “had to apply multiple layers”
    • “felt dry again by morning”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, kohls.com, sephora.co.uk, kiehls.com, cultbeauty.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream work for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer works moderately well for your oily acne-prone skin, providing good hydration and gentle exfoliation, but it lacks strong oil control. A product of this type needs lightweight ingredients that hydrate without adding excess oil, target blemishes, and support the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid, glycerin, and squalane make this cream a moderate fit by providing gentle exfoliation and good hydration, while being safe from harsh ingredients. However, this skin needs products with powerful oil control and blemish-fighting ingredients without heavy oils to prevent breakouts and maintain a clear complexion.

BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?

Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006

What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for oily acne-prone skin?

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter helps protect the skin barrier, but because it is quite heavy, it may feel too rich for oily acne-prone skin. Skin of this type usually needs lighter, balancing ingredients like natural plant oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio that help keep pores clear and smooth.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer goes in the last step of your morning routine before your sunscreen, and in the final step of your evening routine after your treatments. It keeps your skin soft and hydrated, though oily acne-prone skin of this type needs additional ingredients for oil control and blemish care.

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

You can use this cream with retinol, applying the retinol first and following with this moisturizer to help keep your skin calm. Oily acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer of this type to pair with retinol when it also includes ingredients that clear pores and control oil.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizer daily as part of your morning and evening routine, because its safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin. However, since it lacks strong oil control, an oily acne-prone skin type also needs targeted oil-absorbing and breakout-fighting ingredients to keep pores clear.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This cream is unlikely to cause irritation on oily acne-prone skin, though it offers only an average fit because it lacks strong oil-control ingredients and targeted blemish treatments. Oily acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer with oil-absorbing minerals, balancing niacinamide, and clarifying salicylic acid to keep pores clear and shine under control.

BioMed Research International, 2020

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

This cream is safe for the skin around your eyes and on your body, but because the skin around your eyes is among the thinnest on your body, take care to apply it gently. The formula provides good moisture and barrier support, though oily skin of this type needs targeted oil-control ingredients and acne-fighting components to manage breakouts.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (linalool, geraniol, citral, and citronellol). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Shea Butter, Squalane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cellulose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil Flower, Rosa Damascena Oil Flower, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavender Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Oil Leaf, Rosemary Oil Leaf, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Silica, Adenosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ultramarines, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Citronellol

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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