Versus

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser Versus The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
British Brand United Kingdom

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil comes from the sweet almond, a tree native to Iran. This oil has no fragrance and is non-volatile.

Almonds contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is a rich source of Vitamin E, a great antioxidant and skin conditioning ingredient. Sweet almond oil contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid and triglycerides.

The content of sweet almond oil makes it a great emollient; it can help soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a barrier over your skin to trap moisture in. Sweet almond oil has antioxidant properties.

Those with an almond allergy should be careful of this ingredient and speak with a professional about using it in your skincare.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 skinโ€™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

When to use

364 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,127 Routines
18% use in am
82% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser 27 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 7 ratings
Drying (4) Light (2) Expensive (2)
oldnina's avatar

oldnina

9 months ago
Review

Cleansed fine but by the end of it I was just using it to get rid of it. Nothing spectacular, and not my preferred for dry skin

#drying
#light
katiew1's avatar

Katie W

10 days ago
Review

I was given this as a gift and used for over 6 months. It works fine, maybe a little drying/stripping on my skin. Not a huge fan of some of the ingredients. Every time I open the bottle, a little cleanser leaks out onto the inside of the lid. Even when I open sideways and be sure not to squeeze. Wonโ€™t purchase again.

#drying

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 30 ratings
Great Value (9) Works Well (8) Heavy (6)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

1 year ago
Review

Well, it is gentle, but I didn't like the experience. Usually, my cleansing balms and oils emulsify as soon as I start adding water on my face, and wash off nicely. However, this one somehow doesn't... Even after double cleansing. Perhaps a stronger second cleanser would help, but my skin only tolerates milky washes/cleansers. I would have given it three stars, but the strong, off-putting smell Show more

#great value
#heavy
ang200's avatar

๐Ÿ’‹

10 months ago
Review

Don't buy this if u have acne prone skin. I used it for so long without realizing it was breaking me out and now i have so many black and whiteheads .

#drying
#broke me out
#strong scent
#doesn't work