Kiehl's · Moisturizer
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Moisturizer
Lower PFAS concern for a conventional moisturizer; no red flags detected.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer is a water-based emulsion with no disclosed PFAS ingredients, coating technologies, or water-resistant treatments typical of PFAS sources. The brand makes no PFAS claims, a standard silence for most cosmetics.
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Water, glycerin, squalane, humectants, botanical extracts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer is a water-based emulsion built around glycerin and squalane, both humectants that draw moisture into skin. Squalane is a hydrocarbon derived from plant or mineral sources and does not bioaccumulate; glycerin is a simple polyol with no known toxicity at cosmetic concentrations. The formula includes botanical extracts (likely petrolatum and possibly rose-hip or cucumber derivatives based on Kiehl's typical formulations) and stabilizing agents, but avoids known irritants like high-dose essential oils or fragrance allergens at levels likely to trigger reactions in most users.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's is owned by L'Oreal and maintains ingredient transparency via its website and product labels, though the brand does not publish independent third-party certifications (cruelty-free status is L'Oreal-owned, which complicates the claim). No major recalls or safety investigations have been publicly linked to this specific product. The brand has not made an explicit public statement on PFAS avoidance, but formulators note that water-based moisturizers rarely require intentional PFAS use, making silence on this issue less concerning than silence from waterproofing or stain-resistant product lines.
How it compares in its category
This is a mainstream conventional moisturizer positioned as a lightweight daily option. It lacks certifications (organic, EWG Verified, Clean Beauty) that some competitors offer, making it middle-of-the-road in transparency terms. Compared to fragrance-free dermatologist lines (CeraVe, Cetaphil) it includes more botanical extracts, slightly raising minor irritation risk for ultra-sensitive skin; compared to luxury lines it avoids rare actives and exotic botanicals that increase unknown-hazard exposure. For typical adult skin, the hazard profile is routine.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight; exposure to heat or humidity can accelerate microbial growth in opened jars (standard for water-based creams). Discard after 12 months of opening or if you notice separation, off-odor, or color change. If you have sensitive skin or known fragrance allergies, patch-test on forearm first; the formula does include fragrance ingredients. No special maintenance is needed; standard bathroom storage with closed lid is sufficient.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer contains fragrance (specific components not fully disclosed on consumer-facing labels). Fragrance is a known contact sensitizer in a small percentage of users; risk is elevated for those with documented fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis history, but low for the general population.
Botanical extract contaminants (heavy metals, microbial)
No recalls or safety alerts exist for this product. Botanical extracts used in cosmetics can theoretically harbor heavy metals or microbial contaminants if sourced or processed poorly, but L'Oreal operates under FDA cosmetic GMP standards in the US, making large-batch contamination unlikely.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative byproducts)
No evidence suggests Kiehl's uses formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (such as imidazolidinyl urea or diazolidinyl urea) in this product line. Modern formulations in this price tier typically use safer preservatives like phenoxyethanol or potassium sorbate.
1,4-dioxane (rinse-off product exposure)
1,4-dioxane is an occasional trace contaminant in cosmetics containing ethoxylated ingredients (e.g., cetyl alcohol ethoxylate). No published testing or recalls have flagged this product for 1,4-dioxane; risk is minimal for a rinse-free moisturizer with low residual exposure.
Emulsifier or thickener irritation
Water-based moisturizers require emulsifiers and thickeners; while typical agents (cetyl alcohol, stearic acid) are well-tolerated, some users with very reactive skin or rosacea may experience low-grade irritation. This is not a safety defect but a predictable sensitivity risk for subset populations.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Moisturizer
Tatcha
Starter The Ritual Set Ultra Hydrating For Dry Skin
Water-based cosmetic creams and serums; glass/plastic packaging
Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Orchid Facial Oil
plant oils, botanical extracts, glass bottle
Lower concern; facial oil with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
plant oils, mineral pigments, glass bottle
Lower concern for PFAS; facial oil in glass, typical formulation poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More moisturizer grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.