Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream Versus Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm Stick With Squalane
Updated on August 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, ceramides, exfoliants, niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
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 Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream 37 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm Stick With Squalane 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream 37 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm Stick With Squalane 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trehalose
HumectantSucrose Polystearate
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningColloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Sucrose Polystearate, C12-16 Alcohols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Palmitate, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Squalane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ceramide NP, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Adenosine, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 TocopherolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPAdenosine 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 AdenosinePseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract isn't fungal acne safe.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream 37 ingredients
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Barrier Balm Stick With Squalane 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream 37 ingredients
I have oily acne prone skin and this moisturizer makes my face feel hydrated and within a couple of week my barrier has improved i recommend this product
Great oil free barrier repairing balm. Super thick. I wouldn’t use daily, only when needed- daily use might make the Palmitic Acid a problem. Palmitic acid is fine on skin that has a disrupted barrier- it helps re regulate things.
