Hero banner

Kiehl's skincare
ingredient glossary

Inspired by our apothecary roots, Kiehl's uses powerful skincare ingredients drawn from nature and science within our unique formulas.

Squalane

Squalane

A highly-refined botanical moisturizing oil.Details

Close

Squalane

A signature Kiehl’s ingredient, Squalane is a highly-refined botanical lipid. With a high affinity to skin, Squalane absorbs easily and is often used in skincare products to help replenish the skin barrier keeping it soft, supple and moisturized.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

An aromatic oil known to soothe the feeling of skin.Details

Close

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil is an aromatic oil known for its soothing properties. In our formulas, we use Lavender Essential Oil that is steam distilled.

Calendula

Calendula

Derived from the Marigold Flower, this extract and petals are known to help soothe the feeling of skin.Details

Close

Calendula

Native to the Mediterranean, Calendula has been regarded as a medicinal herb for many centuries, including in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Within skincare formulas, Calendula Extract and Calendula Petals are often used to help soothe the feeling of skin.

Caffeine

Caffeine

An antioxidant traditionally used for its stimulating properties.Details

Close

Caffeine

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring substance traditionally used for its stimulating properties. In skincare products, it is often used in formulas that help reduce the appearance of under-eye puffiness.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C

An efficacious antioxidant often used in skincare products that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost radiance.Details

Close

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is often recommended by dermatologists as an anti-aging ingredient. A potent antioxidant, it is known to help visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Beech Tree Extract

Beech Tree Extract

A sugar extracted from the Beech Tree known to help visibly firm skin.Details

Close

Beech Tree Extract

Beech Tree Extract is known for its ability to help plump skin. Within skincare formulas, this extract is often used to visibly firm skin.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

Sourced from the leaf of the Aloe Vera plant, Aloe is known for its hydrating properties.Details

Close

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been widely used in traditional and herbal medicine for centuries. It is known to help hydrate skin and is often used in skincare products formulated to help soothe the feeling of skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is known to smooth and plump skin.Details

Close

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid acts like a sponge to draw moisture into skin’s surface layers and then expands as it absorbs. Hyaluronic Acid is known to help smooth and plump skin and is commonly used in products formulated to help reduce the appearance of facial lines and refine texture.

Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil

A rich emollient known to nourish and moisturize skin.Details

Close

Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil is rich in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Within skincare products, Avocado Oil is traditionally used for its moisturizing properties.

Amazonian White Clay

Amazonian White Clay

A fairly-traded and solidarity-sourced clay known to help purify skin.Details

Close

Amazonian White Clay

Amazonian White Clay is known for its ability to help remove excess surface oil and dead skin that can clog pores. It is commonly used in skincare formulas that help purify skin and visibly minimize pores. The Amazonian White Clay used by Kiehl’s is fairly-traded and solidarity-sourced kaolin clay from the mouth of the Amazon River.

Activated C

Activated C

A Vitamin C derivative known to help improve skin clarity.Details

Close

Activated C

Activated C helps visibly reduce dark spots and skin discolorations. This form of Vitamin C penetrates skin quickly to help visibly even skin tone and improve clarity.

Peony Root Extract

Peony Root Extract

An antioxidant known to help boost skin’s clarity.Details

Close

Peony Root Extract

Known in Traditional Chinese medicine as the “king of flowers," Peony Root Extract is an antioxidant that helps protect against free radical oxidative damage. Within skincare formulas, it is often used to help enhance skin clarity.

Turmeric

Turmeric

Turmeric is known for its antioxidant properties and is often used to help visibly brighten skin.Details

Close

Turmeric

Known for its antioxidant properties, Turmeric has been historically used to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. Skincare products with Turmeric are often used to visibly brighten skin.

Quinoa Husk Extract

Quinoa Husk Extract

An extract that can be used for its exfoliating properties. In our formulas, it is sustainably sourced.Details

Close

Quinoa Husk Extract

Within skincare formulas, Quinoa Husk Extract can be used for its exfoliating properties that help accelerate skin’s turnover process. The Quinoa Husk Extract used by Kiehl’s is sustainably sourced from the outer protective shell of the Quinoa seed without chemical alteration and with minimal environmental impact.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

A botanical oil known to help maintain the skin barrier.Details

Close

Evening Primrose Oil

A botanical oil with a high content of omega-6 fatty acids. Within skincare formulas, it is often used to help maintain the skin barrier and leave skin feeling replenished and smooth.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa Butter

A lipid derived from the Cocoa Plant known to help soften and moisturize skin.Details

Close

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa Butter is a pale yellow lipid derived from the roasted seeds of the Cocoa Plant. Solid at room temperature, it melts at body temperature. Cocoa Butter is often used in skincare products formulated to help moisturize and soften skin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil

A semi-solid, highly-saturated fat known to help soften skin.Details

Close

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is derived from the Coconut Tree, known as the “tree of life.” Used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years, Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids and known to nourish and soften.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil

A botanical oil known to help smooth skin and strengthen the skin barrier.Details

Close

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil is a botanical oil known to help strengthen the skin barrier. Within skincare formulas, it is often used to help improve skin’s smoothness, texture and hydration.

Argan Oil

Argan Oil

A fairly-traded and sustainably-sourced oil known for its replenishing properties.Details

Close

Argan Oil

Derived from the Argan Tree, Argan Oil is commonly referred to as “liquid gold” for its skin and hair benefits. Our Argan Oil is fairly traded and sustainably sourced.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E

An antioxidant known for its moisturizing properties.Details

Close

Vitamin E

Naturally occurring in plant leaves and skin, Vitamin E is known to help neutralize skin-damaging free radicals. In addition to antioxidant protection, Vitamin E is often used to moisturize skin.