Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser for sensitive skin
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Lemon Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Kaolin
Pseudoalteromonas Extract FermentHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively addresses redness and irritation with glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract providing excellent hydration and soothing benefits.
- The formula's cleansing action is enhanced by myristic acid and kaolin, which help to purify pores without compromising your sensitive skin's comfort.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of Pseudoalteromonas Extract Ferment ensuring a gentle experience.
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
★4.4Overall 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 a great fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract provide deep hydration and soothing benefits that calm redness and irritation. Its gentle cleansing action purifies pores while keeping your sensitive skin comfortable, backed by a very safe formula that avoids harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin because glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract provide soothing hydration while helping to calm redness and irritation. Additionally, myristic acid and kaolin help purify pores comfortably, and Pseudoalteromonas Extract Ferment ensures a very gentle experience.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2022
What does Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract do for sensitive skin?
Imperata cylindrica root extract is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin, as it is generally well-tolerated in botanical formulations. However, because studies on this ingredient mostly focus on laboratory cell tests rather than human sensitive skin, it is important to patch test first.
What does Lemon Fruit Extract do for sensitive skin?
Lemon Fruit Extract may cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions on sensitive skin due to its natural sensitizing compounds and potential phototoxicity. This ingredient is unlikely to be a good fit for sensitive skin, which generally needs soothing, fragrance-free extracts and gentle barrier-repairing ingredients to stay calm and comfortable.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2025EFSA Journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2021
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits well into both your morning and evening routines as a gentle way to wash your face without irritating sensitive skin. Glycerin and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract help keep your skin feeling calm and hydrated during cleansing.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to gently purify your skin before your retinol treatment. This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin, helping to soothe and hydrate while purifying pores without causing discomfort.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser morning and evening as part of your daily routine. It has a very gentle formula with no harsh ingredients, making it safe and comfortable for regular use on sensitive skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin, as its gentle ingredients purify pores while keeping your skin comfortable. It has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is generally safe to use on the body, but you should avoid applying it directly around the eyes since facial cleansers may irritate this very thin skin. The gentle formula uses cleansing ingredients like myristic acid and kaolin to purify pores while keeping sensitive skin comfortable.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2022
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.