Kiehl's · Moisturizer
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream
Lower PFAS concern for a standard leave-on moisturizer; no red flags in formulation type.
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream is a conventional emulsified facial moisturizer with no known Teflon-family coating coatings, waterproof additives, or nonstick treatments typical of PFAS use. The brand makes no PFAS disclosure either way.
Shop Kiehl's on Amazon →Material
water-based emulsion cream with glycerin, squalane, peptides
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
This is a water-based emulsion cream combining glycerin (humectant), squalane (plant-derived emollient), and peptides (skin-conditioning actives) in a typical moisturizer matrix. The formulation type is inherently low-risk: leave-on creams do not involve heating, application to mucous membranes, or ingestion pathways that activate most cosmetic hazards. Squalane is a saturated hydrocarbon with minimal irritation or toxicity concerns and does not bioaccumulate; glycerin is inert.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's is owned by L'Oreal and operates under EU and FDA cosmetic compliance frameworks. The brand does not publicly claim specific heavy-metal testing or fragrance allergen disclosure beyond standard ingredient listing. No significant safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to this product line are on record. The company's stance on PFAS is not transparently documented, which is typical for the broader beauty industry but represents a gap in voluntary disclosure.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mid-to-premium moisturizer segment. Its water-glycerin-squalane base is chemically conventional and poses lower inherent hazard than mineral-oil-only or dimethicone-heavy creams, which may trap contaminants or degrade unpredictably. Peptide inclusion is a marketing differentiator but does not change safety profile. Most competing creams in this price range share identical formulation architecture and safety profiles.
If you buy it
Store at room temperature away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown, which could theoretically concentrate any trace contaminants. Discontinue use if redness, burning, or rash develops (fragrance or peptide sensitivity, not formulation toxicity). Replace if the product separates visibly or smells rancid, indicating microbial or oxidative degradation. Patch-test on inner arm first if you have sensitive or reactive skin, as fragrance compounds (not disclosed individually on label) are the most likely irritant.
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 (undisclosed mix)
Kiehl's creams are fragranced but do not break down fragrance components on the label. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis may react; no specific fragrance allergen data for this SKU is publicly available.
Heavy metals in pigments or trace contaminants
No lead, cadmium, or arsenic issues are documented for this product or brand. Moisturizers do not typically incorporate colored pigments that introduce metal risk, and Kiehl's complies with standard cosmetic metal limits.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservative irritation
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are listed in available ingredient disclosures. Standard cosmetic preservatives used are unlikely to liberate formaldehyde at leave-on concentrations.
Microbial contamination or mold growth
Water-based emulsions can support bacterial or fungal growth if contaminated post-purchase or stored improperly (warm, humid bathroom). Kiehl's does not disclose specific antimicrobial validation data for finished products.
Squalane oxidation or rancidity over time
Squalane is prone to lipid peroxidation if exposed to light or heat, potentially generating irritant byproducts. No shelf-life stability data specific to this product is publicly disclosed; standard cosmetic dating (typically 12-36 months unopened) applies.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.