Versus

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - UK Versus Estée Lauder NightWear Plus Moisturizer Anti-Oxidant Night Detox Creme

General Moisturizer
Night Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

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
Ultra Facial Cream
NightWear Plus Moisturizer Anti-Oxidant Night Detox Creme

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Emollient

Propanediol

Solvent

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sorbitan Stearate

Emulsifying
0 / 1 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetyl Palmitate

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tridecyl Stearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Skin Protecting

Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Gentiana Lutea Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract

Astringent

Hydrolyzed Rice Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Masking
May cause irritation Icon

Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Thermus Thermophillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Coffea Arabica Seed Extract

Masking

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract

Humectant

Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning

Artemia Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethiconol

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Tridecyl Trimellitate

Emollient

Lauryl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Trehalose

Humectant

Sucrose

Humectant

Ergothioneine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate

Emulsifying

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Palmitic Acid

Emollient
2 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Urea

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Myristyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 4 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Fumaric Acid

Buffering

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Disodium EDTA

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde

Masking
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Benzyl Salicylate

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

CI 42090

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 19140

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, Squalane, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Tridecyl Stearate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Artemia Extract, Cholesterol, Algae Extract, Linoleic Acid, Dimethiconol, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Lauryl Alcohol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Trehalose, Sucrose, Ergothioneine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Palmitic Acid, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-51, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Benzoate, Fumaric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Salicylate, CI 42090, CI 19140

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
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.

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol
Antimicrobial, Preservative

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
Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid
Emollient, Emulsifying

Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.

As an emollient, it helps hydrate the skin. The emulsifying properties keep ingredients together in a product.

Palmitic Acid may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Palmitic Acid

Disodium 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 EDTA

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Buffering

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 Hydroxide
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

BHT 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 BHT
Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid

When to use

290 Routines
49% use in am
50% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
10 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
80% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 35 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Expensive (4) Broke Me Out (2) Oily (2)
shadowkat's avatar

Shadow Kat

8 months ago
Review

It generate me strong acne just with 2 nights of using it.

#expensive
#broke me out
#irritating
#doesn't work
Shayan's avatar

Shayan

6 months ago
Review

Horrible. Destroyed my skin with just 2 uses. Pustule acne everywhere!!

#expensive
#broke me out
#heavy