Kiehl's skincare
ingredient glossary

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

11kDa Hyaluronic Acid

Our smallest molecular size of Hyaluronic Acid, this micronised ingredient penetrates to fortify skin within its deepest surface layers.* By delivering skin-strengthening hydration to skin’s most vulnerable layer, 11kDa Hyaluronic Acid helps better retain moisture for improved resiliency, suppleness and bounce.

*Stratum corneum.