Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Versus Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye versus Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair .

Published on October 24, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both eye moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Try a different comparison

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair

Eye Moisturizer American Brand United States

Eye Moisturizer

Eye moisturizers help add moisture back into the skin around the eyes; these can be creams, gels, or serums.

Eye Moisturizer

Eye moisturizers help add moisture back into the skin around the eyes; these can be creams, gels, or serums.

Price

Shop

Buy Midnight Recovery Eye

Starts at $48.00

Shop

Buy Age Defender Eye Repair

Starts at $24.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye 36 ingredients

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair 44 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye 36 ingredients

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair 44 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (5)

Reduces Irritation

Anti-Aging (2)

Scar Healing (2)

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)

Acne Trigger

Irritating (3)

Rosacea

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)

Redness Reducing

Skin Texture

Anti-Aging (3)

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (3)

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (5)

Acne Trigger (2)

Irritating (3)

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye 36 ingredients

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair 44 ingredients

Water • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil • Squalane • Alcohol Denat. • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Stearyl Alcohol • Cetearyl Glucoside • Oenothera Biennis Oil • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Phenoxyethanol • Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate • Chlorphenesin • Xanthan Gum • Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Tocopherol • Lavandula Angustifolia Oil • Adenosine • Linalool • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil • Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil • Glycine Soja Oil • Citronellol • Geraniol • Lavandula Hybrida Oil • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Limonene • Citral • Curcuma Longa Root Extract • Sclareolide • Rose Flower Oil • Jasminum Officinale Extract • Citric Acid

Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Alcohol Denat. • Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Sucrose Stearate • Stearic Acid • Palmitic Acid • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid • Sodium Polyacrylate • Phenoxyethanol • Nylon-12 • Pentylene Glycol • Caprylyl Glycol • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Secale Cereale Seed Extract • Caffeine • Chlorphenesin • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Hydroxide • CI 77891 • Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract • Dimethiconol • Tocopherol • Mica • Myristic Acid • Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Adenosine • Glycine Soja Protein • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract • Sodium Benzoate • Saccharum Officinarum Extract • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract • Citrus Limon Fruit Extract • Ethylhexylglycerin • Tin Oxide • Acer Saccharum Extract • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 1.

Alcohol Denat.

What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.

Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.

One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.

Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

Learn more about Alcohol Denat.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 6.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 4.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 12.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 6.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 13.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 14.

Chlorphenesin

What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 15.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 21.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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 Gum

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 16.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 22.

Tocopherol

What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 19.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 27.

Adenosine

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 21.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 32.

Citric Acid

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye contains this as ingredient number 36.

Kiehl's Age Defender Eye Repair contains this as ingredient number 44.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.