Kiehl's · Moisturizer
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Lower concern; standard facial moisturizer with no known PFAS triggers, but no third-party verification.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream is a water-based cosmetic moisturizer with no waterproofing, non-stick, or stain-resistance claims that would typically require PFAS. The brand makes no public statement on PFAS. No independent lab testing or third-party certification is publicly available for this product.
Shop Kiehl's on Amazon →Material
water-based gel cream with standard cosmetic emulsifiers and humectants
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 gel-cream moisturizer, meaning water is the primary solvent with humectants (likely glycerin or hyaluronic acid) and standard cosmetic emulsifiers to blend oil and water phases. The "oil-free" designation indicates minimal occlusive oils, relying instead on silicones or lightweight hydrating polymers for slip and feel. Gel-cream bases are chemically simpler than heavy creams, typically requiring fewer preservatives and stabilizers, which reduces ingredient complexity overall.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certification status for individual products. The brand maintains a general commitment to safety standards and ingredient transparency on labels, but independent third-party verification (e.g., EWG certification) is absent from this product. No significant safety recalls or documented controversies specific to Kiehl's moisturizers have been established in public records.
How it compares in its category
Oil-free gel moisturizers are among the lowest-risk facial skincare category; they avoid heavy waxes, mica-based pigments, and talc common in powder products. Kiehl's formulations are conventionally preserved and stabilized compared to indie or "clean" brands, meaning standard synthetic preservatives (not plant extracts prone to oxidation). Functionally comparable to Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Neutrogena gel-cream lines with similar ingredient profiles.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions; gel-creams separate if frozen and degrade faster in direct heat or sunlight. Patch-test first if you have sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity; Kiehl's includes fragrance in most formulations. Replace after 12 months once opened to minimize bacterial or mold growth. Watch for signs of separation, discoloration, or odor change, which indicate emulsion breakdown.
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 and fragrance allergens
Kiehl's Ultra Facial line includes fragrance; while ingredient lists do not specify problematic components (e.g., oakmoss absolute, cinnamate esters), undisclosed fragrance mixtures carry inherent risk for contact dermatitis or sensitization in vulnerable users.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
No evidence that Kiehl's uses formaldehyde donors (imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin) in this product line; modern brands prefer sorbates or parabens. However, full preservative system not publicly itemized on standard labels.
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Water-based formulations may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct in ingredients like polysorbates or PEG compounds, but levels are typically below dermal concern and unquantified for this specific product.
Talc or talc-like mineral contamination
This is a clear gel-cream, not a powder or mineral product, so talc is not an ingredient. Silicones are the primary texturizers, which do not carry the inhalation or asbestos-contamination risks of talc.
Heavy metals in colorants
Gel-creams are typically colorant-free or use only approved mica, iron oxides, or CI pigments at cosmetic-safe levels. This product contains no listed metallic pigments or dyes at risk of cadmium or lead leaching.
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.