Age Defender Moisturizer

Kiehl's

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturizer is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 48 ingredients (34 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
48
Low-risk
34
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 12/9
Good for dry skin
Dimethiconol Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil Sucrose Stearate Octyldodecanol Caprylyl Glycol Glycerin Palmitic Acid Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate Hydrogenated Polyisobutene Synthetic Wax Dimethicone Sodium Polyacrylate
Caution for dry skin
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate Sucrose Stearate Stearic Acid Xanthan Gum Glycerin Palmitic Acid Sodium Polyacrylate Sodium Hydroxide Alcohol Denat.
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/1
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Alcohol Denat.
Caution for oily/acne-prone skin
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Sensitive Skin 4/14
Good for sensitive skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside Glycerin Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Dimethicone
Caution for sensitive skin
Myristic Acid Stearic Acid Octyldodecanol Caffeine Glycerin Palmitic Acid Synthetic Wax Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Alcohol Denat. Phenoxyethanol Linalool Limonene Citral

Ingredients list

48 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (7)
All48 Skin Conditioning29 Fragrance17 Emulsion Stabilising10 Emollient10 Film Forming7 Viscosity Controlling7 Masking7 Viscosity Increasing Agent6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
4
Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Sucrose Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
(Emollient)
1
A
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
(Binding Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient, Skin Protecting)
1
A
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Octyldodecanol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Perfuming, Solvent)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Palmitic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Surfactant Emulsifying Agentsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Palmitic Acid., Emollient)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Synthetic Wax
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Binding, Emollient, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Sodium Polyacrylate
(Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Skin Conditioning Agent Emollient, Viscosity Controlling Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Skin Conditioning)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
B
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
1
Polyurethane-2
(Film Forming)
1
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Polymethyl Methacrylate
(Film Forming)
2
A
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
1
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Sunscreen Agent)
1
A
Dimethiconol
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Moisturising)
Silicone
Silicone
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Caffeine
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking)
1
A
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
(Antioxidant)
Glycine Soja Protein
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying)
1
A
Myristic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Perfuming)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Ascorbyl Glucoside
(Antioxidant)
1
Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
4
Dimethyl MEA
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
(Moisturising, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
(Cleansing, Surfactant)
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Sodium Dehydroacetate
(Preservative)
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
(Fragrance)
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Acer saccharum extract
(Skin Conditioning)
7
Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Citral — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Sucrose Stearate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifyingSurfactant
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Binding agent, Skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentSkin-conditioning agent - occlusiveViscosity increasing agentEmollientViscosity controlling
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollientSkin protecting
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningEmollientViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
Octyldodecanol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningEmollientPerfumingSolvent
Synthetic Wax
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingFragranceViscosity increasing agentAntistatic agentBindingEmollientMaskingViscosity controlling
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B AbsorbentEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingHair fixingSkin-conditioning agent -emollientViscosity controlling agentViscosity increasing agentBindingSkin conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioning
PARFUM
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfuming
Polyurethane-2
Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Film forming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion stabilising, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingFilm formingViscosity controlling
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Film forming
+ 22 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Alcohol Denat.
Antifoaming agent, Antimicrobial
Causes moisture evaporation - prone to dry out skinRead moreShow less
EWG 4 Antifoaming agentAntimicrobialAstringentMaskingSolventViscosity controlling Bad for Dry SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Palmitic Acid
Fragrance, Opacifying
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceOpacifyingSufactantSurfactant -emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of palmitic acid.Emollient Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens
Dimethiconol
Antifoaming agent, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin conditioningEmollientMoisturising Silicone
Myristic Acid
Fragrance, Opacifying
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceOpacifyingSufactantEmulsifyingPerfuming Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Linalool
Fragrance, Deodorant
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceDeodorantMasking Allergens
Citral
Flavoring agent, Fragrance
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 7 Flavoring agentFragranceMasking Allergens

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

Ascorbyl Glucoside

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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