Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - UK Versus BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel
Updated on February 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 fragrances, oils and silicones
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 Cream 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 40 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-8 Stearate
Emulsifying
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Chlorphenesin, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Myristic Acid, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
C12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Zinc Gluconate, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Cholesterol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140, CI 42090, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Parfum
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 WaterGlycerin 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 the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ngredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 GumEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 HydroxideTocopherol (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 TocopherolGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine helps your skin create more ceramides. This ingredient has been shown to boost skin hydration and improve the skin barrier.
Your skin has an outermost layer called the stratum corneum. This is known as your skin barrier.
Your skin barrier consists of cholesterol (25%), free fatty acids (15%), and ceramides (50-60%). A healthy skin barrier is the key to hydrated and plump skin. Your skin is able to retain more moisture with a nourished barrier.
Although small, the skin barrier prevents bacteria and other bad things from going into our bodies. A damaged skin barrier can lead to itchy and dry skin, acne, or bacterial/viral/fungal skin infections.
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine tells your skin to create more ceramides. This helps fortify your skin barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to hydrated and healthy skin. More good news? You don't need a high amount of this ingredient to see benefits.
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine is created from a chemical reaction using an amino alcohol (dihydrosphingosine) and a fatty acid palmitic acid (2- 11 bromohexadecanoic acid).
Other ingredients that tell your skin to create more ceramide:
Learn more about Hydroxypalmitoyl SphinganineBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 35 ingredients
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 35 ingredients
It generate me strong acne just with 2 nights of using it.
Horrible. Destroyed my skin with just 2 uses. Pustule acne everywhere!!
BIOTHERM Aquasource Gel 40 ingredients
Doesnt do much. Not very moisturizing, gel like and just meh
I think it's a very confusing product: You will asume that's safe for acne because it's a very lightweight gel formula, smells super fresh and has Salicylic Acid, but the truth is it has several oils and Shea Butter on it, which in my case totally broke me out. Plus, it also has a lot of fragrance, so it's not so great for sensitive skin. I guess it might be good for those more into the dry/normal Show more
