Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment
The Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 34 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (97/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 34 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (97/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Coco-glucoside
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant) |
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Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Coco-Betaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
(Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Dipropylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Hydrogenated Coconut Acid
(Opacifying, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Hydrogenated Coconut Acid., Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Coconut Acid
(Cleansing, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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t-Butyl Alcohol
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Solvent, Perfuming) |
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Sodium PCA
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Camphor
(Denaturant, External Analgesic, Fragrance, Plasticizer, Masking) |
Good for Oily Skin
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Menthol
(Denaturant, External Analgesic, Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Oral Health Caredrug, Masking, Refreshing, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
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Boswellia Serrata Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Sodium Isethionate
(Antistatic Agent, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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Hamamelis Virginiana Water
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing) |
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Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract
(Masking) |
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Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Alcohol
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
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Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
(Cleansing, Refreshing, Skin Conditioning, Tonic) |
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Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
(Hair Conditioning, Masking, Oral Care Agent) |
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Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Laminaria Saccharina Extract
(Skin Protecting) |
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Zinc Sulfate
(Cosmetic Astringent, Cosmetic Biocide, Oral Care Agent, Antimicrobial, Antiplaque) |
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Pyridoxine HCl
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
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.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
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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