Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream review: is the classic still worth it this winter?
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream has been on bathroom shelves for years, and as the heating goes on, the experts we follow are reaching for it again. It holds a Guru Score of 90% across 12 experts: 11 said yes, 1 was mixed, and not one said no. Here is what they like about it, where they disagree, and whether a newer winter cream would suit you better.
- Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream holds a Guru Score of 90% across 12 experts: 11 said yes, 1 was mixed and none said no.
- The experts like it as a simple, fragrance-free cream that sits well under sunscreen by day and over a retinoid at night, and several single it out for cold, dry weather.
- If you are acne-prone, or you want brightening, glow or anti-aging from your moisturizer, some of the same experts suggest looking elsewhere.
Dr. Daniel Sugai · 12 reviewers, 90% said yes
Dr. Jenny Liu · 19 reviewers, 91% said yes
Sincerely Miss Ash · 21 reviewers, 90% said yes
Dr. Vanita Rattan · 14 reviewers, 89% said yesWhat do the experts think of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?
They like it, almost without exception. Of the 12 experts we follow who have reviewed it, 11 said yes and 1 was mixed, which gives it a Guru Score of 90%. Nobody said no. That puts it level with Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream (90%) and a point behind SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid & Peptide Cream (91%), and it has held that support for years rather than riding one season of attention.
It is also having a moment. Two of its biggest fans, Dr. Shereene Idriss and Dr. Daniel Sugai, came back to it on the same day at the end of October. She called it a great workhorse for straightforward dry skin, and he picked it as the cream that soothes his face in the winter.
Why do experts keep going back to it?
Mostly because it is simple. Dr. Shereene Idriss calls it a great basic moisturizer and says it is glycerin based, thick and has no scent, with squalane to support the skin's moisture barrier. Dr. Vanita Rattan, who says it is the only product she likes from the whole brand, points out that it is fragrance free and does not have all the alcohol. Dr. Jenny Liu likes that it is fragrance-free too, and says glycerin and glacial glycoprotein do the hydrating.
It also plays well with the rest of a routine. Dr. Daniel Sugai calls it his favorite moisturizer of all time, especially at bedtime after his retinol, and says it is the one moisturizer he will splurge on even though he usually tells people to save on that step. Dr. Jenny Liu and Alexandra Anele both wear it in the daytime under sunscreen. Alexandra Anele says it hydrates without making her skin look wet or shiny.
Is it a heavy cream or a light one?
That depends on who you ask, and it is the one real disagreement. Dr. Shereene Idriss says that although the brand calls it lightweight, it is definitely thicker, with more grip than a gel moisturizer, and she reaches for it mainly at night and in very dry weather. Dr. Daniel Sugai also calls it thicker and richer, though he says it feels cool, as if it had been left in the fridge.
Others find it lighter. Dr. Jenny Liu calls it a lightweight cream that absorbs nicely and does not leave you shiny. Dr. Sam Ellis, who used it almost exclusively through a Colorado winter, says it is light in texture while still very rich, so it works day or night. Doctorly say it keeps skin dewy without feeling heavy, and suggest it for normal and combination skin. The fair read is a mid-weight cream: rich enough for a dry winter night, light enough for many people to wear under sunscreen.
Who should skip Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?
If you are prone to breakouts, Dr. Vanita Rattan is the voice to hear. She likes the cream but says it contains myristyl myristate, which she calls comedogenic, and tells people with acne-prone skin, dry or oily, not to use it. She does recommend it for dry skin that is prone to eczema. If either applies to you, a dermatologist or pharmacist can help you choose.
It is also not the cream for a glow or a boost. Dr. Shereene Idriss says you will not get any brightening effect or glowy finish from it, and No BS Beauty says it is not super anti-aging or super brightening, just a simple moisturizer that is really nice. The one mixed verdict came from AliceintheRabbitHole, who calls it a fine moisturizer that she likes but says it just did not stick for her.
How does it compare with the winter creams the experts rate?
It holds its own. SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid & Peptide Cream edges ahead with a Guru Score of 91% across 19 experts, every one of whom said yes, and Dr. Jenny Liu calls it one of her go-to winter moisturizers. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream matches Kiehl's at 90%, across 21 experts, and its fans single it out for dry, sensitive skin that needs its barrier looked after.
If you want something plainer still, Vanicream Moisturizing Cream (89%, 14 experts, none saying no) is the no-frills pick; Dr. Vanita Rattan suggests it if you just have dry skin. With all four so close, the choice comes down to feel and what else your skin needs. For the full line-up, see the best barrier repair creams for cold weather and the best moisturizers for dry skin.
Is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream still worth it?
The experts say yes. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream holds a Guru Score of 90% across 12 experts, with 11 yeses and no one saying no, and they like it as a simple, fragrance-free cream for dry and cold weather that sits well with retinoids and sunscreen. If you are acne-prone or want brightening from your moisturizer, the same experts suggest looking elsewhere, and SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid & Peptide Cream (91%) is the one winter cream they rate a touch higher.