Kiehl's Since 1851 has reformulated its daily facial moisturizer, Ultra Facial Cream -- and now it doesn't contain parabens, carbamides or T.E.A. 

Ultra Facial Cream first made its debut in 2006, and is the brand's best-seller, globally -- so, why reformulate? "Customer preferences around ingredients have changed," the brand states. 

In the mid-2000s, Kiehl's made the choice to develop all new formulas without parabens, which are preservatives. By the end of 2019, all Kiehl's formulas in production will be paraben-free. Carbamide is also known as urea, an exfoliator that can irritate skin, and T.E.A. is used as a pH balancer.

New Hydration Tests

While relaunching the formula, Kiehl's chemists also took the opportunity to conduct additional hydration testing, utilizing a testing methodology that can map hydration results across multiple areas of the face. Results show after just one application, facial skin is 2 to 3 times more hydrated. 

The new formula was also tested for tolerance on panels of multiple ethnicities and sensitive skins, and was clinically demonstrated, in an instrumental study, to strengthen the moisture barrier of all skin types.

More About the Product

Ultra Facial Cream contains glacial glycoprotein, a protein derived from micro-organisms sea glaciers and notable for its ability to thrive in extreme climates. In skincare, this ingredient is known to protect and deeply hydrate, according to Kiehl's, while preventing water loss from the skin.

It also contains olive-derived squalane—a highly refined moisturizing oil that helps to maintain skin's moisture.

The new formula doesn't contain parabens, which are preservatives. Carbamide was also removed, which is also known as Urea, an exfoliator that can irritate skin; and T.E.A. which is used as a pH balancer.