Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion Versus Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment
Updated on August 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion 38 ingredients
Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment 34 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion 38 ingredients
Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Geranium Maculatum Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citral
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, Panthenol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Pyridoxine Hcl, Chlorphenesin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Citric Acid, Citral, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Camphor
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Coco-Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Coconut Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Camphor, Menthol, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Sodium Isethionate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Pyridoxine Hcl yet.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion 38 ingredients
Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment 34 ingredients
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