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Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is a well-regarded, consistently priced moisturizer that largely earns its claims through a thoughtful, gentle formula, though greater transparency on active percentages would elevate its standing further.
₹3,200 • Analysed 18 July 2026
In India's warm, humid climate a lighter leave-on layer tends to wear more comfortably; how it feels can shift between air-conditioned indoors and humid outdoors. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream maintains a consistent premium price across all major Indian e-commerce platforms, with no significant discounts or price variations observed. The larger 125ml size offers a better price per ml value. The marketing stays within India's cosmetic advertising norms (ASCI / CDSCO), with claims that match what the formula can do.
Independent and free. The Clean Sheet takes no money from brands to review, rank, or approve a product. This is a web evidence review, not a Clean Sheet certification. We checked the ingredient list, publicly available test reports, marketing claims, and formula logic using only public information available at the time of review.
Brand website states 'proven to provide 24-hour hydration' and references 'clinical results' and 'instrumental test'. While full study details (sample size, methodology) are not published, the claim is backed by brand-conducted finished product testing.
Brand website states 'proven to strengthen the skin barrier' and references 'clinical results'. Ingredients like Squalane and Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine support this claim, and brand-conducted finished product testing is indicated.
Brand website states 'skin is smoother, softer and visibly healthier' based on 'clinical results'. This is a common cosmetic outcome for a well-formulated moisturizer, supported by the formula and brand testing.
Brand website states 'tested for safety and gentleness' and 'suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin'. The formula is free from common irritants like fragrance, alcohol, and dyes, supporting this claim.
Brand website states 'non-comedogenic' and 'tested for safety and gentleness'. This claim typically requires specific testing on the finished product, which the brand indicates has been done.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum', 'Fragrance', or common essential oils. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any parabens. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Mineral Oil', 'Paraffinum Liquidum', or 'Petrolatum'. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
What we could confirm from public sources and the verified ingredient list.
Ingredient Safety & Toxicity
Full ingredient list retrieved and verified against INCIDecoder.
Screened against the ingredient database (22 of 35 ingredients matched); no cosmetics-prohibited ingredient found.
No ingredient with a recognised endocrine-activity concern found in the database.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Contains ingredient(s) commonly rated comedogenic: myristyl myristate. May not suit very acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
Declares 1 known allergen(s) (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Leaf Extract). Reactive skin should note these.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
| Ingredient |
|---|
Aqua/Water |
Glycerin |
Dimethicone |
Squalane |
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane |
Sucrose Stearate |
Stearyl Alcohol |
PEG-8 Stearate |
Myristyl Myristate |
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil / Apricot Kernel Oil |
Phenoxyethanol |
Persea Gratissima Oil/Avocado Oil |
Glyceryl Stearate |
Cetyl Alcohol |
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil |
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Fruit Oil |
Chlorphenesin |
Stearic Acid |
Palmitic Acid |
Carbomer |
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer |
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate |
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil / Sweet Almond Oil |
Xanthan Gum |
Ethylhexylglycerin |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Tocopherol |
Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil |
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract |
Myristic Acid |
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine |
Salicylic Acid |
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil |
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Leaf Extract |
Citric Acid |
INCI order as declared on packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high to low).
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Brand website states 'proven to provide 24-hour hydration' and references 'clinical results' and 'instrumental test'. While full study details (sample size, methodology) are not published, the claim is backed by brand-conducted finished product testing.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'proven to strengthen the skin barrier' and references 'clinical results'. Ingredients like Squalane and Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine support this claim, and brand-conducted finished product testing is indicated.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'skin is smoother, softer and visibly healthier' based on 'clinical results'. This is a common cosmetic outcome for a well-formulated moisturizer, supported by the formula and brand testing.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'tested for safety and gentleness' and 'suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin'. The formula is free from common irritants like fragrance, alcohol, and dyes, supporting this claim.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'non-comedogenic' and 'tested for safety and gentleness'. This claim typically requires specific testing on the finished product, which the brand indicates has been done.
Evidence visible
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum', 'Fragrance', or common essential oils. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any parabens. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Mineral Oil', 'Paraffinum Liquidum', or 'Petrolatum'. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any colorants (e.g., CI numbers). This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain drying alcohols like 'Alcohol Denat.' or 'Ethanol'. Fatty alcohols (Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol) are present and are not considered drying. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
This review evaluates brand claims against visible evidence and formula logic. It does not replace a full ingredient safety analysis or a clinical product test. Results vary by individual, and the consumer should always read the full ingredient list and follow usage guidance.
Are you the brand? If you have published test data or want to request a re-review, write to us at hello@thecleansheet.in.
No IARC-classified or formaldehyde-releasing ingredient found in the database screen.
Contains ingredient(s) commonly rated comedogenic: myristyl myristate. May not suit very acne-prone skin.
Irritation & Allergen Risk
Declares 1 known allergen(s) (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Leaf Extract). Reactive skin should note these.
No high-sensitisation preservative (MI/MCI/formaldehyde-releaser) from our screen was found.
Ingredient Transparency
The full INCI list is publicly available, not just hero ingredients.
Any proprietary 'complex' is broken down into its actual ingredients.
Ingredients are listed in the descending order required by India Cosmetics Rules 2020.
Standards & Compliance
Usage warnings and directions are clear on the label.
No retinoid or other pregnancy-cautioned active found in the screen.
Screened against a curated reference set that we are continuing to verify and expand, so “clear” means no flag from that set, not a guarantee. Not a substitute for a full toxicological or clinical assessment.
Brand website states 'skin is smoother, softer and visibly healthier' based on 'clinical results'. This is a common cosmetic outcome for a well-formulated moisturizer, supported by the formula and brand testing.
Brand website states 'tested for safety and gentleness' and 'suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin'. The formula is free from common irritants like fragrance, alcohol, and dyes, supporting this claim.
Brand website states 'non-comedogenic' and 'tested for safety and gentleness'. This claim typically requires specific testing on the finished product, which the brand indicates has been done.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum', 'Fragrance', or common essential oils. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any parabens. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Mineral Oil', 'Paraffinum Liquidum', or 'Petrolatum'. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
No prohibited or restricted ingredients identified
Flags are based on publicly available INCI only. Not a substitute for full regulatory compliance review.
Brand website states 'proven to provide 24-hour hydration' and references 'clinical results' and 'instrumental test'. While full study details (sample size, methodology) are not published, the claim is backed by brand-conducted finished product testing.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'proven to strengthen the skin barrier' and references 'clinical results'. Ingredients like Squalane and Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine support this claim, and brand-conducted finished product testing is indicated.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'skin is smoother, softer and visibly healthier' based on 'clinical results'. This is a common cosmetic outcome for a well-formulated moisturizer, supported by the formula and brand testing.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'tested for safety and gentleness' and 'suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin'. The formula is free from common irritants like fragrance, alcohol, and dyes, supporting this claim.
Evidence visible
Brand website states 'non-comedogenic' and 'tested for safety and gentleness'. This claim typically requires specific testing on the finished product, which the brand indicates has been done.
Evidence visible
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Parfum', 'Fragrance', or common essential oils. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any parabens. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain 'Mineral Oil', 'Paraffinum Liquidum', or 'Petrolatum'. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain any colorants (e.g., CI numbers). This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
The retrieved INCI list does not contain drying alcohols like 'Alcohol Denat.' or 'Ethanol'. Fatty alcohols (Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol) are present and are not considered drying. This claim is supported by the ingredient list.
Missing
