Kiehl's Since 1851moisturizerMoisturize step

Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream

This is a no-fuss, effective barrier cream designed to comfort and repair dry, compromised skin. It feels substantial without being heavy and focuses on soothing irritation and reinforcing the skin’s natural defenses.

Sephora price

$48.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.6 / 5

About 407 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

HydratingGood for: RednessGood for: Uneven TextureGood for: DrynessBest for Dry, Combo, Normal SkinWithout ParabensColloidal Oatmeal: Helps soothe and support skin.Beta Glucan: Nourishes dry, sensitized skin for a smoother and healthier appearance.Dryness and Redness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.6 / 5 overall fit

A rich, comforting cream that excels at soothing dryness and redness. It’s a solid choice for anyone needing to reinforce their skin barrier.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

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What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

An intensive barrier cream that relieves dry skin, helps support the moisture barrier, and visibly reduces redness caused by dryness.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyDryness and Redness

Apply Kiehl's barrier cream after your facial serum using the appropriate amount for your skin’s needs.

Gently massage in circular motions allowing the formula to smooth into skin.

For those with dry, sensitive skin, use day and night.

Use in place of your moisturizers OR layer on top of Ultra Facial Cream (sold separately) for extra barrier repair.

When applying, pay special attention to dry, compromised, and distressed areas; can also be used on sensitized skin, around dry lips, on windburn, around the eyes, on rough, dry skin, or on itchy, irritated skin

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A dependable moisturizer for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin. It’s a good option when your skin feels tight, irritated, or needs extra support, especially if redness is a concern.

Comfort and Relief

Many users reported immediate relief from dryness and tightness, appreciating the soothing sensation and the visible reduction in redness.

Barrier Repair

The cream is frequently praised for its ability to help restore a damaged skin barrier, making skin feel more resilient and less reactive.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

Dry skin
Sensitive skin
Skin experiencing redness
Compromised skin barrier

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You prefer lightweight, gel-based moisturizers
Your primary concern is acne or oiliness

Routine fit

How to incorporate this cream

Apply this cream after your serum, as the final step in your routine, or layer it over another moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration and barrier support. It's particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, or irritated areas.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Excellent for dryness and redness
Supports and reinforces the skin barrier
Comforting texture
Multi-use for various dry/irritated areas

Where it starts to feel redundant

May be too rich for oily skin types
Not focused on active anti-aging ingredients

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and Night

This cream is suitable for both morning and night use, especially for those with dry or sensitive skin. It can be used as a standalone moisturizer or as an occlusive layer.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.6/ 5 overall

A rich, comforting cream that excels at soothing dryness and redness. It’s a solid choice for anyone needing to reinforce their skin barrier.

Barrier Support

4.7 / 5

Badness

2.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin B3 that helps improve skin barrier function, reduce inflammation, and minimize pores.

Usually helps with

Oiliness, visible pores, uneven tone

Watch for

Stinging or flushing if your barrier is already stressed

Emollient

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A lightweight emollient that improves skin feel and helps spread the product.

Usually helps with

Softness

Watch for

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths skin, and helps stabilize the emulsion.

Usually helps with

Dryness

Watch for

Humectant

Trehalose

Badness

1.0 / 10

A sugar that helps skin retain moisture and protects it from dehydration.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Emulsifier

Sucrose Polystearate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water ingredients, and can have some emollient properties.

Usually helps with

Smoothness

Watch for

Emollient

C12-16 Alcohols

Badness

0.0 / 10

Fatty alcohols that soften and smooth the skin.

Usually helps with

Dryness

Watch for

Thickener

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Badness

2.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

pH Adjuster

Tromethamine

Badness

1.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product to ensure stability and efficacy.

Usually helps with

Stability

Watch for

Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin E that protects skin from environmental damage and has moisturizing properties.

Usually helps with

Protection, hydration

Watch for

Emulsifier

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Badness

2.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer that helps stabilize emulsions and provides a smooth feel.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Active

Ceramide Np

Badness

1.0 / 10

A naturally occurring lipid that helps restore the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

Usually helps with

Barrier repair, dryness

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Allantoin

Badness

0.0 / 10

Soothes and protects the skin, promoting healing and reducing irritation.

Usually helps with

Soothing, healing

Watch for

Emollient

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Badness

1.0 / 10

A synthetic emollient that softens and smooths the skin, creating a protective barrier.

Usually helps with

Softness, protection

Watch for

Emollient

Palmitic Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

A fatty acid that helps to moisturize and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Moisture

Watch for

Emulsifier

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Badness

1.0 / 10

A modified form of lecithin that helps to emulsify ingredients and can improve skin barrier function.

Usually helps with

Emulsion, barrier support

Watch for

Thickener

Carbomer

Badness

2.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Active

Beta-Glucan

Badness

0.0 / 10

Derived from oats, it hydrates, soothes, and supports the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Hydration, soothing, barrier support

Watch for

Preservative

Ethylhexylglycerin

Badness

2.0 / 10

A preservative that also has skin-conditioning properties.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Skin-Restoring

Adenosine

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin elasticity.

Usually helps with

Anti-aging, elasticity

Watch for

Humectant

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A humectant that also acts as a preservative booster and improves skin feel.

Usually helps with

Hydration, preservation

Watch for

Skin-Conditioning

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Badness

2.0 / 10

A fermentation extract that helps improve skin hydration and barrier function.

Usually helps with

Hydration, barrier support

Watch for

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Isostearate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water ingredients.

Usually helps with

Emulsion

Watch for

Emollient

Cetyl Palmitate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A waxy ester that softens and smooths the skin.

Usually helps with

Softness

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Cynanchum Atratum Extract

Badness

2.0 / 10

A plant extract known for its soothing and calming properties.

Usually helps with

Soothing

Watch for

Active

Colloidal Oatmeal

Badness

0.0 / 10

Finely ground oats that help soothe, calm, and protect the skin.

Usually helps with

Soothing, dryness, irritation

Watch for

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Olivate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emulsifier derived from olive oil, known for its skin-conditioning properties.

Usually helps with

Emulsion, skin conditioning

Watch for

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Palmitate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water ingredients.

Usually helps with

Emulsion

Watch for

Emulsifier

C14-22 Alcohols

Badness

1.0 / 10

A blend of fatty alcohols that help stabilize the formula and improve skin feel.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Emulsifier

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cream suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, this cream is formulated with soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan, making it suitable for sensitive skin, especially when it's feeling dry or irritated.

Can I use this if I have oily skin?

While the cream is targeted towards dry and combination skin, some users with oily skin who experience dryness or barrier issues may find it beneficial. However, it might feel too heavy for very oily skin types.

How does this differ from Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?

The Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is specifically designed for intensive barrier repair and soothing dryness and redness. It's richer and more targeted for compromised skin compared to the standard Ultra Facial Cream, which is a more general daily moisturizer.

See If This Is Compatible With My Skin