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KIEHL'S SKINCARE INGREDIENT GLOSSARY

Inspired by our apothecary roots, Kiehl's combines naturally-derived skincare ingredients and science to create our formulas.

Squalane

A highly-refined botanical moisturising oil. Olive-derived.

A signature Kiehl’s ingredient, Squalane is a highly-refined botanical lipid. It has been shown to have a high affinity to skin, Squalane absorbs easily and is often found in skincare products that help replenish skin keeping it feeling soft, supple and moisturised.

Lavender Essential Oil

An aromatic oil known for its soothing properties.

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

Calendula

Derived from the Marigold Flower, Calendula extract and petals are known for their soothing properties.

Native to the Mediterranean, Calendula has been regarded as a valuable herb for many centuries, including in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Preparations. Within skincare, Calendula Extract and Calendula Petals can be found in products that help soothe the feeling of skin.

Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil

Cold-pressed from hemp seeds, this herbaceous oil is known for its calming and soothing properties.

Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil is an herbaceous oil known for its calming and soothing properties. Cold-pressed from Hemp Seeds, this concentrated oil is naturally green in color and composed of up to 90% omega fatty acids which are known to help nourish skin.

Caffeine

An antioxidant traditionally known for its stimulating properties.

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

Vitamin C

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

Vitamin C is often recommended by Kiehl's skincare advocates within anti-aging and brightening products. A potent antioxidant, it is known to help leave skin looking brighter.

Beech Tree Extract

A naturally-derived sugar from the Beech Tree that can be found in products known to help firm the feel of skin.

Beech Tree Extract can also be found in skincare formulas known to help plump the look of skin.

Aloe Vera

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

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

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is known to smooth and plump skin with moisture.

Hyaluronic Acid acts like a sponge to draw moisture into skin’s surface layers. Hyaluronic Acid is known to help smooth and plump skin with moisture and is commonly found in products formulated to help reduce the appearance of facial lines caused by dehydration.

Avocado Oil

A rich emollient known to nourish and moisturise skin.

Avocado Oil is rich in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and is traditionally used for its moisturising properties.

Amazonian White Clay

A fairly-traded clay known to help purify skin.

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

Activated C

A Vitamin C derivative known to help improve skin clarity.

Activated C is known to be beneficial in improving the look of dark spots and skin dullness. This form of Vitamin C penetrates skin quickly to help even the look of skin’s tone and improve clarity.

Peony Root Extract

An antioxidant used to help boost skin’s defenses.

Known in China as the “King of Flowers," Peony Root Extract is an antioxidant that helps protect against free radical oxidative damage.

Turmeric

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

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

Quinoa Husk Extract

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

Quinoa Husk Extract can be used for its exfoliating properties to help accelerate skin’s surface cell 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 minimised environmental impact.

Evening Primrose Oil

A botanical oil rich in Omega-6 fatty acids.

A botanical oil with a high content of omega-6 fatty acids. It can be found in products designed to help maintain the skin barrier function and leave skin feeling replenished and smooth.

Cocoa Butter

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

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 found in skincare products formulated to help moisturise and soften skin.

Coconut Oil

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

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

Sunflower Oil

A botanical oil known to help smooth skin.

Sunflower Oil is a botanical oil that can be found in products formulated to help improve skin’s smoothness, texture and hydration.

Argan Oil

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

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

An antioxidant known for its moisturising properties.

Naturally occurring in plant leaves and skin, Vitamin E is known to help neutralize skin-damaging free radicals.
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