Kiehl's report by Heather of the Cosmetic Connection Product Panel
As many of you read in The Cosmetic Report, I spent a terrific week in New York City checking out the department stores. After a terrific visit to New York City last week, I am pleased to now bring you the results of testing my many Kiehl's samples!
Rare Earth Oatmeal Milk Cleanser #1 (Mild) $10.50 for a 4 ounce bottle
I was a little surprised when the Kiehl's rep. in NYC recommended this cleanser for my skin. All winter, my skin had been normal-to-dry, but now that spring is just about here, my skin has been acting more combination (slightly oily in the T-zone), and unfortunately prone to a few breakouts. This cleanser is designed for normal-to-oily skin and contains kaolin and bentonite clays to help absorb oil. It really works well on my skin without making it feel dried out, which surprised me considering it contains clay. I also like that it's a creamy consistency rather than something that lathers, which can be stripping. If you have combination or normal-to-oily skin, this cleanser is a good choice that's a nice change from most cleansers that are more lather-intensive.
Calendula Herbal Extract Toner $18.50 for a 4 ounce bottle
Toners fall into two groups for me these days: ones that feel good, and ones that don't. This one felt nice on my skin, but when I checked my Kiehl's price list, I couldn't believe they wanted $18.50 for a little 4 ounce bottle! I mean, this toner is nice, and it does have whole flowers and herbs in it, but I just can't justify paying over $4.50 an ounce for it. I decided to investigate alternatives...
Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-free Toner $8.50 for a 4 ounce bottle
When I got back from NYC, I decided after trying the Calendula toner that it would be nice to find one a little less expensive, so I paid a visit to my local Kiehl's counter at Saks. This Cucumber toner is soothing and it has a nice clean fragrance. If you are looking for a basic, non-drying toner, this one is a good choice (and priced better at $8.50 for 4 ounces). Don't let the label "for dry and sensitive skin" fool you - it's good for any skin type.
Herbal Toner with Mixed Berries and Extracts $19.95 for an 8 ounce bottle
Another after-NYC purchase, I decided on this toner for spring and summer when my skin is more normal-to-oily. It's basically a tea of strawberry, bayberry, horse chestnut, german chamomile, dandelion, elder, lemongrass, peppermint, and myrrh extracts, with aloe vera, allantoin (a healing agent) and a few preservatives thrown in. I like it for its slight astringent quality, great for a slightly oily skin.
Ultra Facial Moisturizer $11.50 for a 2 ounce bottle
Although my forehead, nose, and chin can get a little oily as we get closer to summer, I still need a light moisturizer all over to protect and soothe my skin. I really liked this moisturizer, both the regular version and the one with SPF 13 sunscreen ($14.50 for a 2 ounce bottle). They are both lightweight and absorb quickly, and they left my skin feeling incredibly soft and silky. What I found fascinating is how this moisturizer provided the boost of moisture my skin needed in NYC when it was cold and windy just as well as it keeps my skin comfortable and soft in warmer temperatures.
Lip Balm #1 $4.50 for a tube
This lip balm is a Kiehl's must-have! The mix of plant oils, vitamin E, vitamin A, aloe in a creamy base is great for moisturizing and protecting your lips even in the nastiest weather. A great buy at $4.50 a tube.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked all the Kiehl's products I tried. If you are interested in find out out more about Kiehl's, you can give them a call at 1-800-KIEHLS-1 or
1-800-KIEHLS-2. They are great at helping you choose the right products for your skin.
