Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by omgbart
All good things start with that one classic.
When I first discovered Kiehl’s around 1999 or 2000, the Ultra Facial range was simple. There was a moisturizer in a bottle. That was it. The original formula had already been around since the early 1970s and had earned its cult status the old-fashioned way. The jar version did not arrive until 2006.
The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial range now
Fast forward to now and there are eight different Ultra Facial moisturizers, each with a different texture, a different purpose, and a different skin type in mind. The name is the same across all of them. Everything else varies. If you have ever stood in a Kiehl’s store wondering which one is actually right for you, this is the cheat sheet you need.
| Product | Texture | Hero Ingredients | Best For | Use When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Facial Moisturizer | Creamy lotion | Squalane, Glycerin | All skin types, especially normal to slightly oily | You want no-fuss, fast-absorbing daily hydration |
| Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane | Medium-weight cream | 4.5% Squalane, Glacial Glycoprotein, Pro-Ceramides | All skin types; the everyday workhorse | Daily barrier support and 72-hour hydration |
| Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 | Medium-weight cream | Squalane, Glacial Glycoprotein, Glycerin, UV filters (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%) | All skin types who want a one-step AM routine | Mornings when you want hydration and sun protection in one |
| Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 | Fast-absorbing lotion | Squalane, Glycerin, Avocado Oil, UV filters (Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%) | All skin types wanting a lighter SPF formula | You prefer the OG moisturizer formula but need SPF coverage |
| Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer | Cooling gel cream | Glacial Glycoprotein, Micronized Amino Acid, Glycerin | Oily to normal skin; enlarged pores, shine | Your skin needs hydration without any heaviness or shine |
| Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream | Light cream/balm hybrid | Colloidal Oatmeal, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP | Dry, very dry, or sensitive skin with visible redness | Your barrier is compromised and needs intensive repair |
| Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream New | Melting cream | 1% Colloidal Oatmeal (OTC active), Panthenol (B5), Bisabolol, Squalane, Shea Butter | Reactive, sensitised, or post-procedure skin | Skin is in crisis: extreme sensitivity, dryness, or post-treatment recovery |
| Ultra Facial Skin Barrier Repair Balm | Cooling balm stick | Squalane, Pro-Ceramides, Glacial Glycoprotein, Niacinamide | All skin types; dry patches, on-the-go touch-ups | Midday barrier top-up, travel (in-flight touch up), or layering over makeup |
What are my favorites…
Three formulas stand out for me personally. The Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is my go-to whenever my skin needs serious intervention. The Meltdown Recovery Cream is the newest addition and it has already proven itself for reactive skin days and post-procedure recovery. And the Barrier Balm stick comes with me every time I travel. Three very different products. One very coherent range.
Check out kiehls.com for price and size info on each formula.
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