Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser Review: How To Achieve Fresh, Clean Skin

The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser came into my life by accident a few years back. I realised in Gatwick’s duty-free on our family getaway that I had forgotten my cleanser (not deliberately, honestly!).

Kiehl’s happened to have a pop-up stand selling fairly large-sized travel tubes of it, at what I considered a reasonable price, so I grabbed one and ran for my pancake breakfast (via the tills, obvs!). No time for researching the standout ingredients, sustainability and reviews in that scenario, I can tell you!

I’ve always struggled to justify buying more pricey cleansers – after all, they essentially just clean and then get washed down the sink – however, at this time I was dabbling with retinol and was well aware I needed to use a good quality and gentle product.

Thankfully, and quite frankly miraculously seeing as it was bought on a whim just after airport security (universally considered one of the most stressful times in parenting), this cleanser met my requirements, and still now, is one of my favourites. 

If you’re in the market for a new all-rounder cleanser then keep reading – this Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser review may tell you everything you need to know…..or at least show you that sometimes being unorganised can pay off in the long run!

If, like me, you’re rather partial to the Kiehl’s brand have a look at my review on this sibling product – the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Related posts:
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Review – The Raw Truth About This Popular Cream

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The Overview

Kiehl’s says this product is a “specially formulated gentle foaming cleanser” that is meant to remove dirt and debris as well as leaving the skin moisturised.

I’ve got to say that if I had been in the market for a new cleanser at that time (rather than the usual pre-holiday crap we buy as parents – goggles, anti-itch cream, meds to loosen you, meds to bung you up – you get the idea!), I would have done some research and would have walked right past this product based on that one description alone. 

As it happens, the normal concern of a foaming face wash stripping the skin is something that I have never experienced with this product, and that, they say, is due to the “sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent”.

I wouldn’t describe it as a foaming cleanser at all unless you use a fair old blob and are pretty vigorous with it on your face – it is, after all, the foam that strips the skin.

Other notable points Kiehl’s mentions are:

• Formulated with Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil
• Tested for gentleness
• pH-balanced to maintain the skin’s natural balance
• For all skin types, including sensitive skin
• A customer favourite

The Star Ingredients

Squalane – An emollient and natural moisturiser that is found in fish, plant oils and human sebum. A great moisturiser that leaves skin smooth, but not greasy or heavy as it is absorbed easily.

Apricot Kernels – An emollient plant oil that comes from the granules of crushed apricot seeds. It contains the antioxidant vitamin E and other useful fatty acids. It has good all-round moisturising properties and is absorbed easily, however, Kiehl’s also adds the kernels to act as a gentle exfoliant.

Avocado oil – An antioxidant and emollient oil that comes from the avocado fruit. It contains different moisturising fatty acids, vitamins A, E and D and some further minerals including potassium.

It is a highly moisturising and rich emollient that can penetrate multiple skin layers and gets its antioxidant abilities from its Vitamin E content.

Tocopherol – A strong antioxidant with Vitamin E activity that also has some emollient properties. One of the best at protecting our collagen from free radicals and due to being fat soluble is very easily absorbed by our skin. It also protects our skin from UVB damage. 

Ascorbyl Glucoside – A skin brightener and antioxidant that is a stable and easy-to-formulate form of Vitamin C that is converted to pure Vitamin C once absorbed into the skin.

Early studies show that it has the same anti-ageing benefits as Vitamin C of collagen boosting, antioxidant protection and the ability to fade hyperpigmentation.

Glycerin – A natural humectant moisturiser that’s in the outer layer of our skin. It is effective for moisturising dry skin but also protects against irritation and damage to the skin barrier (very helpful when it’s being used as a cleanser)

Its Scent

• The good news is it’s fragrance-free. Fragrance is a pointless addition to skincare that serves no purpose other than the potential to cause irritation and sensitivity! 

Its Texture

• It is a medium/heavy, clear-coloured gel that, when mixed with water on your face, foams up very slightly. When I say “foams”, I would say it gets a whiteish tinge to it.
  
• It spreads well over the face, so a little goes a long way.

Its Packaging and Use-By-Date

• It comes in a classic white tube with a flip-top lid that reveals a little spout. The whole lid can also be completely unscrewed off/on, but the little spout really does help to control the amount that comes out.

• I really like the simple design of Kiehl’s logo with the “blurb”, to quote my 6-year-old, and directions on the front of the bottles.  It comes in two sizes – 75mls and 150mls. 

• It comes in two sizes – 75mls and 150mls. The tube is made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic

• The use-by-date is 12 months from the point it has been opened.

Its Purchase Locations

• Buy this product from Amazon here.
• Other stockists include Boots, Sephora and Cult Beauty

The Directions

• As a cleanser, it would be the first step in both your morning and evening skincare routine. If you were double cleansing, I would say this can be used as both the first and second cleanse – and I do.
  
  The product says it can remove makeup and I certainly have found it to be very effective at that, including my eye makeup (even though it says to avoid the eye area).

• Kiehl’s themselves say “It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used twice daily as the first step in your face care routine.”

• You’ll need to have a damp face before you apply it, otherwise, the fairly thick product won’t move anywhere. Apply a small pea size amount to your damp hands and massage the product over your face and neck. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if wanted.

Who is it for?

• It’s marketed for all skin types and I would go along with that. 

• I’d say it’s a good product for those with sensitive skin due to the glycerin that protects the skin barrier.
  
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Who is it Not For?

• I will mention, however, that even though I have combination skin, I was using this product while starting out on retinol.
  
  
• My face was dryer than normal, and there were times that it felt a tad tight after I had used this product and before moving on to my serums/moisturisers. 

Something to bear in mind if you’ve got quite dry skin.

• If dry skin is a concern you could try The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm which is made with dry and dehydrated skin in mind. I wrote a review on that here
  
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  THE INKEY LIST OAT CLEANSING BALM REVIEW: A MULTITASKING MARVEL

And the Results Are In

The reviews on Kiehl’s website show an average of 4.5 stars out of 5 from 1188 reviews – that’s not too shabby at all! That also reflects what you will find on other sites like Boots, Sephora and Look Fantastic.

As for me, yes, this is definitely a winner! Price wise there is an initial outlay for it, but as I’ve said, it really has lasted a lot longer than lesser-priced cleansers…..and that’s with me getting three washes a day out of it.

My face truly feels clean and refreshed after I’ve used it, and that’s with a face full of makeup (the full works, not just a quick slap of concealer!).

Yes, there was a point I did experience a tightness to my skin after it had been used, but that was during the retinisation phase of using retinoids so I feel I should give this cleanser a break for that. I did, after all, choose to use this cleanser specifically because I was starting out on retinoids.

My only issue is feeling that I am paying the higher price point specifically for the antioxidant ingredients. Granted they sound impressive, and each of them can do a great job, but they’re just not on the skin long enough to….well, do that job.

Pros and Cons

So Should You Buy It?

Well, I’ve bought it twice already and yes, I think I would buy it a third time! So, I would suggest it is worth you buying it too.

It is pricey though, and if what is essentially washing useful (and therefore expensive) ingredients down the sink is a concern for you, you may think twice. I can assure you, however, that I do feel I got my money’s worth from it – I really only needed a tiny petit pois amount to do the job.

Otherwise, I feel it does a good job of living up to its claims: 

• It cleaned my skin without over-drying it and stripping it of the natural oils
• It removed oil, dirt and debris and all traces of makeup
• Suitable for all skin types, however, I feel those with very dry skin might tread with caution

Don’t forget, if you like this Kiehl’s product, have a look at my other Kiehl’s review on its “sibling” product – the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Not bad for a last-minute panic purchase! Incidentally, I’m planning on forgetting my perfume for our next trip away – I might even forget a lippy too, but that might be pushing it….. 

So do you think you’ll give this cleanser a go? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to know what you think

Related posts:
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Review – The Raw Truth About This Popular Cream
THE INKEY LIST OAT CLEANSING BALM REVIEW: A MULTITASKING MARVEL