Allergen & irritant analysis
2 flaggedThis cleanser from Kiehl's lists 19 ingredients. AllerNote's analysis flags 1 known contact allergen and 1 common irritant in the INCI list. No added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates were detected in the listed ingredients.
- Cetyl alcoholKnown allergen (emollient): Cetyl Alcohol
- Sodium hydroxideStrong alkaline substance that can be highly corrosive and irritating in high concentrations; used safely in cosmetics only in neutralized, low concentrations for pH adjustment.
Not detected: added fragrance, parabens, MI / MCI (isothiazolinones), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS / SLES sulfates.
Generated from this product's ingredient list and AllerNote's allergen database — educational, not medical advice or a substitute for patch testing.
Benefits
Key Ingredients
- 1BHAUnclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
- 2NiacinamideStrengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.
- 3CeramidesLocks in moisture and supports skin barrier.
- 4ExfoliatorsRemoves dead skin cells to smoothe texture.
Full Ingredient List
19INCI (full list, INCI order): water, glycerin, kaolin, sodium cocoyl isethionate, glyceryl stearate se, cetyl alcohol, niacinamide, salicylic acid, glycolipids, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, carrageenan, beta-glucan, centella asiatica extract, ceramide np, chitosan, lactic acid, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
Tap any ingredient to see details
Potential Concerns
- May Worsen EczemaMay worsen itching or irritation for eczema.
- May Worsen RosaceaCan trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
- May Trigger AcneCan clog pores or trigger breakouts.
- May Worsen DrynessCan strip moisture and worsen dryness.
- May Worsen Oily SkinMay increase shine or excess oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste fragrance-free?
No added fragrance or EU-labelled fragrance allergens were detected in Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste's listed ingredients. "Not detected" isn't an absolute guarantee, but it's a good sign for fragrance-sensitive skin — confirm against the current pack and your own triggers.
Is Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste paraben-free?
No parabens were detected in Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste's listed ingredients. Worth keeping in perspective: parabens are among the least common cosmetic allergens, so "paraben-free" matters far less for reactive skin than avoiding fragrance or the preservative MI/MCI.
Is Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?
It depends on your specific triggers. Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste contains 1 flagged allergen and 1 irritant (listed in the analysis above). If none are on your personal allergen list it may suit you, but patch test first — add your allergens to AllerNote to check Gently Effective Blemish-Targeting Cleansing Paste against your own profile.

