Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil — 5.9 oz lightweight, makeup-melting, hydrating cleanser

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil is a lightweight, botanical oil cleanser that dissolves makeup and impurities while leaving skin feeling soft and replenished.

This unisex cleansing oil combines plant-derived oils and gentle surfactants to remove dirt, sunscreen and long-wear makeup without stripping the skin. Designed for evening use but gentle enough for daily cleansing, the formula includes lavender essential oil, evening primrose oil and squalane to help soothe, hydrate and support the skin’s moisture barrier. The product is non-comedogenic and ophthalmologist-tested, making it suitable for contact-lens wearers and those prone to clogged pores.

How does this oil remove makeup without leaving an oily residue?

The cleanser is formulated to emulsify on contact with water: massage the oil onto dry skin to break down oils and pigments, then add water to turn it into a milky emulsion that rinses clean. That transformation lifts away impurities so you get a thorough cleanse without a greasy film. The lightweight botanical oils are balanced so they condition the skin rather than sit on top of it.

• Dispense 3–4 pumps into dry or wet hands and massage into dry skin.
• Include the eye area; it dissolves waterproof mascara and long-wear makeup.
• Add water to emulsify, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

What key ingredients make it calming and hydrating?

Three notable botanicals support both comfort and hydration. Lavender essential oil contributes soothing aromatic properties, evening primrose oil offers hydrating fatty acids, and squalane helps support the skin’s natural barrier to retain moisture. Together these ingredients help cleanse without overdrying, leaving skin supple and comfortable.

• Lavender essential oil for a calming scent and soothing sensation.
• Evening primrose oil to add hydration and skin-softening lipids.
• Squalane to help fortify the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.

Will this clog pores or irritate sensitive eyes?

The formula is non-comedogenic, meaning it’s designed not to block pores, and it’s ophthalmologist-tested for use around the eye area. Because it emulsifies and rinses clean, residue that can trap oil and debris is minimized. As always, patch-test if you have reactive skin or known sensitivities to essential oils.

• Non-comedogenic formulation reduces the risk of pore congestion.
• Ophthalmologist-tested for safer use near the eye area.
• Emulsifies to rinse away fully, preventing film buildup.

How should I use it in my skincare routine?

Use it as the first step in your evening regimen to remove makeup, sunscreen and surface impurities. Follow with a water-based cleanser if you prefer a double cleanse, then apply serums or night creams to take advantage of the skin’s restored softness. It can be used daily or when you need a gentle yet effective makeup removal step.

• Start with 3–4 pumps massaged into dry skin; emulsify with water and rinse.
• Optional second cleanse with a gel or foam cleanser for deeper pore cleansing.
• Finish with nighttime serums, oils or moisturizers while skin is slightly damp.

Who is this for: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil suits anyone seeking a gentle, botanical-based makeup remover that conditions while it cleanses. It’s ideal for those who wear long-wear or waterproof makeup, people with normal to dry or combination skin who want a nourishing first cleanse, and shoppers looking for a non-comedogenic, ophthalmologist-tested option for use near the eyes. If you prefer fragrance-free or have extreme sensitivity to essential oils, consider a fragrance-free alternative.

Ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zea Mays Germ Oil/Corn Germ Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Oenothera Biennis Oil/Evening Primrose Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Squalane, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil/Coriander Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil/Rosemary Leaf Oil, Linalool, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate.