Kiehl's
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream with Squalane
Low risk74/100
Kiehl's
Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Some ingredients carry a low-risk flag. Read the formulation context before deciding.
23 of 24 ingredients rated1 not assessed
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum as Low risk (75/100). Review the ingredient context and any manual-review explanation before deciding.
Why this rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Phenoxyethanol (Low risk), Salicylic Acid (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.
23 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. 1 entry does not have all of those fields. Unmatched or unrated entries are marked Not assessed in grey; missing evidence does not establish safety.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Phenoxyethanol
Low risk
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Salicylic Acid
Low risk
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used for acne, exfoliation and preservation. Common over-the-counter acne strengths are 0.5-2%, including 0.5%, 1% and 2%; the FDA lists this acne-treatment range. Pregnancy guidance distinguishes these topical products from oral salicylates and strong peels. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG allows over-the-counter topical salicylic acid during pregnancy when needed. Only a small amount of topical acne treatment usually reaches the bloodstream through intact skin; exposure can increase with damaged skin, frequent use or treatment of large areas. Direct salicylic-acid-specific pregnancy data remain limited. MamaSkin's Low Risk rating is a dose-and-use precaution, not evidence that ordinary low-strength skincare causes fetal harm or a recommendation to avoid every BHA product. Use as directed on limited areas of intact skin. Discuss strengths above 2%, chemical peels, wart/corn removers, large-area treatment or use under occlusion with your clinician before use during pregnancy. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically advises discussing and limiting higher-strength salicylic acid above 2%. Percentage alone does not establish safety: formulation, area, frequency and skin condition also matter. General cosmetic-use limits are not pregnancy-specific safety thresholds.
Sources: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/topical-acne-treatments-pregnancy/; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/pregnancy-skin-care; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/monographs/OTC%20Monograph_M006-Topical%20Acne%20drug%20products%20for%20OTC%20Human%20Use%2011.23.2021.pdf; https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/salicylic-acid-cas-no-69-72-7-ec-no-200-712-3_en; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500675/
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil
Not assessed
No matched ingredient rating is available yet. Not assessed does not mean safe or unsafe.
Aqua/Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Propylene Glycol
No known risks
Propylene glycol is a common solvent and humectant with a long history of use; it is not considered a pregnancy or breastfeeding concern in topical cosmetics, though some individuals may experience irritation in leave-on products.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Show all 24 ingredients
Glycerin
No known risks
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Alcohol Denat.
No known risks
Volatile solvent used to improve texture, drying time, and penetration in some formulas. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support current cosmetic use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern identified in the material reviewed; the main practical issue is dryness, stinging, or barrier disruption in some users.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of SD Alcohol 40, Benzyl Alcohol, and Denatured Alcohol in Cosmetic Products; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
No known risks
peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin is a high-molecular-weight cosmetic polymer or film former. Dermal absorption is expected to be limited when manufactured with appropriate residual-monomer and impurity controls. Relevant CIR polymer assessments did not identify a pregnancy-specific concern for normal topical use; airborne powder or spray droplets should not be inhaled.
Sources: CIR Amended Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymers https://cir-safety.org/ingredient/acrylates-copolymer; CIR vinylpyrrolidone-polymer assessment.
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
No known risks
hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol is a cosmetic formulation, mineral, sugar-derived or organic-acid ingredient. Available identity, use and related safety evidence did not identify a pregnancy-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic exposure. Cosmetic-grade purity and ordinary irritation precautions remain applicable.
Sources: CIR ingredient and related-family assessments; European Commission CosIng; ECHA substance information where applicable
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
No known risks
A stable ether derivative of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and brightening ingredient. Pregnancy-specific topical studies are limited, but no pregnancy-specific contraindication was identified in the reviewed literature. Published case reports describe allergic contact dermatitis, so local sensitivity remains possible and this classification should not be read as proof that irritation cannot occur.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Ethers of Ascorbic Acid https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/ethers_of_ascorbate.pdf; PubMed: 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid topical delivery https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517290/; PubMed: allergic contact dermatitis case report https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24846587/
Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
No known risks
ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30 is a cosmetic surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning agent. Relevant CIR family assessments support use when formulated to be non-irritating and with appropriate impurity controls. Local skin or eye irritation is possible, but no pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical or rinse-off use.
Sources: CIR Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG/PPG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-alkyl-peg/ppg-ethers-used-cosmetics; CIR ingredient-family conclusions.
Xanthan Gum
No known risks
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Hydroxyethylcellulose
No known risks
Cellulose-derived thickener used to build viscosity and improve texture. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR Quick Reference Table / ingredient status (Hydroxyethylcellulose, Final Report 03/2009); EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Potassium Hydroxide
No known risks
A strongly alkaline raw material used mainly in small amounts to adjust pH or during soap manufacture. Concentrated potassium hydroxide is corrosive, but that raw-material hazard is not representative of a correctly formulated finished cosmetic. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that inorganic hydroxides are safe in current cosmetic uses when products are formulated to be non-irritating, with special handling conditions for depilatories and hair straighteners. No pregnancy-specific concern is identified for normal use of a compliant finished product.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-inorganic-hydroxides-used-cosmetics-0
Citric Acid
No known risks
pH adjuster used in small amounts to maintain product stability. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Sodium Citrate
No known risks
Buffering and chelating ingredient used to control pH and formulation stability. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Tocopheryl Acetate
No known risks
Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E derivative) is used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient; it is considered low concern in topical use with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at cosmetic concentrations.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Disodium Edta
No known risks
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used to improve formula stability and performance; it is considered low concern in topical cosmetic use, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at typical concentrations.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Adenosine
No known risks
Skin-conditioning ingredient commonly used in leave-on skincare. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Adenosine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Linalool
No known risks
Linalool is a common fragrance component used at low levels in cosmetics; it is not a pregnancy-specific concern in topical use, but it is a recognised fragrance allergen and may trigger irritation or sensitisation in some people, especially if the product oxidises over time.
Sources: EU/UK cosmetics (fragrance allergen labelling); IFRA; toxicology reviews
Butylene Glycol
No known risks
Solvent and humectant commonly used in leave-on products. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Tocopherol
No known risks
Vitamin E antioxidant used to protect oils and support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
No known risks
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract: An assessed citrus peel preparation. Use non-irritating, non-sensitizing formulas; leave-on products should contain at most 15 ppm 5-methoxypsoralen. Peel extract or wax is not neat essential oil. No pregnancy-specific harm has been identified for ordinary topical cosmetic use; direct human pregnancy data are limited. This assessment excludes ingestion, medicinal doses and deliberate inhalation.
Sources: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10915818211032617,https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract.
No known risks
A tree-peony root extract used for skin conditioning and antioxidant support. No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific hazard was identified for normal topical cosmetic exposure. Direct ingredient-specific pregnancy studies were not identified, so this assessment does not extend to oral supplements or medicinal use.
Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; Cosmetic Ingredient Review botanical safety-assessment framework and relevant ingredient-family assessments. No ingredient-specific human pregnancy study of normal topical cosmetic use was identified.
Full recorded ingredient list
Aqua/Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Disodium Edta, Adenosine, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract.
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum have a Low risk rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Phenoxyethanol (Low risk), Salicylic Acid (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. Incomplete ingredient documentation does not establish safety; see the coverage answer and grey entries below.
Has every ingredient in Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum been assessed?
23 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. 1 entry does not have all of those fields. Unmatched or unrated entries are marked Not assessed in grey; missing evidence does not establish safety.
Does this assessment apply to my Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
