Side-by-side comparison

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate vs The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

Neither facial oil relies on a targeted treatment active; both are about comfort and skin support. They share Squalane, so texture, price and the rest of the formula decide it.

1Shared hero active
Kiehl's
Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Facial OilPremiumEvening only
DrynessDamaged BarrierSensitive skin

A lightweight PM facial oil blending squalane, evening primrose and lavender essential oil. The lavender isn't trace — it's functional and significant, so skip this if you react to essential oils. For everyone else it's a genuinely pleasant ritual oil.

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The Ordinary
100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Facial OilBudgetMorning or evening
DrynessDamaged Barrier

Pure, weightless occlusive oil derived from olive or sugarcane. Biomimetic with skin's own squalene, locks in moisture without greasiness, and plays well with almost every other ingredient. The universal final step in PM routines for dehydrated skin.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both lean on Squalane for hydration and support. On price, The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is the less expensive option (Budget versus Premium). Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is flagged evening only; The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is flagged morning or evening.

The overlap

What they share

This hero active appears in both formulas:

Squalane
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate — top of the list

  • Squalane~50–80%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~5–25%
  • Rosa Moschata …~3–10%
  • Lavandula Angu…~2–6%
  • Glycine Soja (…~1.5–4%
  • Oenothera Bien…~1–2%

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane — top of the list

    ● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

    At a glance

    The specs

    Kiehl's Midnight Recovery ConcentrateThe Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
    CategoryFacial OilFacial Oil
    Price tierPremiumBudget
    Best forDryness, Damaged BarrierDryness, Damaged Barrier
    Usage notesEvening onlyMorning or evening
    Shared hero activesSqualane
    Questions

    Common questions

    Is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate or The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane better?
    Neither is a treatment product, so it comes down to feel and fit. Both use Squalane; pick on price, texture and the concerns each suits.
    What's the difference between the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane?
    Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate's hero actives are Squalane. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane's are Squalane. They also sit in different price tiers (Premium versus Budget).
    Are the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane dupes for each other?
    They're similar in role: both rely on Squalane for support rather than a targeted active. Texture and the rest of the formula will still feel different.
    Can I use the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane together?
    Usually, yes. Apply the thinner texture first, then the thicker one, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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