Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion
The Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 38 ingredients (28 low-risk) rates it Excellent (89/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Kiehl's Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 38 ingredients (28 low-risk) rates it Excellent (89/100). 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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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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Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
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Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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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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C14-22 Alcohols
(Emulsion Stabilising) |
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Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
(Viscosity Controlling) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Pyridoxine HCl
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent) |
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Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative) |
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Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
(Antioxidant) |
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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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Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Citrus Limon Peel Oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
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Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Allergens
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Calendula Officinalis Flower
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
(Chelating Agent) |
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Zinc PCA
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
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Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning) |
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Geranium Maculatum Oil
(Masking, Tonic) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
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Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber) |
Good for Oily Skin
|
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Citronellol
(Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Geraniol
(Fragrance, Masking, Tonic) |
Allergens
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Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking) |
Allergens
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Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
(Fragrance, Masking, Tonic) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Artemisia Absinthium Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
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 →
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.
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
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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