Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate
The Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 32 ingredients (26 low-risk) rates it Excellent (88/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
The Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 32 ingredients (26 low-risk) rates it Excellent (88/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry 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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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
(Humectant, Foam Boosting, Hydrotrope, Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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PEG-20
(Humectant, Solvent) |
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Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning) |
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Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
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Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Octyldodecanol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Perfuming, Solvent) |
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Cyclohexasiloxane
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent) |
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Lauroyl Lysine
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Oily Skin
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Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant) |
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Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
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Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant) |
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Polysilicone-11
(Film Forming) |
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Yeast Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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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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PVP
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Antistatic Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
(Masking) |
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Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein | |
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Citronellol
(Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Geraniol
(Fragrance, Masking, Tonic) |
Allergens
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Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
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Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking) |
Allergens
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Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Allergens
|
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.
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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