Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream Versus Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturizer
Updated on August 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general 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 fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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 Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturizer 48 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
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturizer 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthoxypropanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sarcosine, Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Parfum
Masking
Polyurethane-2
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethyl Mea
BufferingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLinalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Sucrose Stearate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Parfum, Polyurethane-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Dimethiconol, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glycine Soja Protein, Myristic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethyl Mea, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturizer 48 ingredients
Reviews
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