The 8 Best Kiehl’s Products, According to a Beauty Editor
Just like the name suggests, Kiehl’s Since 1851 has been around for a long time. With so much history comes a lot of knowledge of our skin, and Kiehl’s has certainly been successful in catering to many different skin types over the last 172 years. There are so many different picks that people swear by (like their facial oil and face washes), but I wanted to run through the best Kiehl’s products that I’ve discovered in my years working as a beauty journalist.
Kiehl’s is a very well-known beauty brand that’s sold across the world. It first began as a small apothecary in New York City, where John Kiehl sold herbal remedies and homeopathic solutions. Many years later, Kiehl’s is an established brand that caters to both men and women. I love that it is a unisex skincare and haircare brand and can be used by people of all genders, races, and skin types.
Below, you’ll find the best Kiehl’s products that I continue to reach for again and again. You’ll notice that I tend to reach more towards the soothing and hydrating skincare products, rather than the anti-aging products that Kiehl’s is also well-known for. For instance, I’ll reach for the products with squalane instead of those that are targeted toward fine lines or a particularly pesky dark spot.
(I know that the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, spot treatment, lip balm, and amino acid hair care collection are popular options, but I just haven’t tried these myself. If I do, I’ll make sure to add my review here!)
The 8 Best Kiehl’s Products
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
This is a Kiehl’s classic, and is probably their best-selling product. I love that it’s fragrance-free and is made with squalane—a hydrating oil that’s safe for acne-prone skin. This is a relatively thick moisturizer, so if you prefer a lighter consistency, I would look elsewhere. It hydrates my dry skin beautifully and doesn’t irritate my face.
Available at Sephora ($38) | Also available at Ulta
Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream
This is one of the few eye creams that doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes. I love how soothing this formula is, and the nice sheen it leaves on the skin. It’s probably my favorite eye treatment. That said, I wouldn’t recommend that you use this in the morning if you are going to apply undereye concealer and mascara, because it kind of sits on the skin and might cause makeup to look cakey and flakey. This creamy eye treatment is great for those pesky dark circles.
Available at Sephora ($36) | Also available at Ulta
Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner
I like this toner because it’s soothing on skin and doesn’t contain any alcohol, which is irritating for sensitive skin. I also appreciate that this is fragrance-free, too. The calendula will help to reduce redness on the skin and soothe irritation, too. When you shake the bottle onto your cotton round, some of the calendula petals might fall out. This is supposed to happen, so don’t be alarmed!
Available at Sephora ($47) | Also available at Ulta
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter
This body lotion has been an absolute lifesaver for the eczema on my hands and arms for years. I like to use it a lot during the winter to prevent my eczema from flaring up. It’s fragrance-free and non-irritating, and is the perfect amount of hydration without leaving your skin feeling greasy and slippery.
Available at Macy’s ($22)
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask
I don’t use this mask too often, but I think it’s a great option for folks with oily skin who need to decongest every week or so. It’s such an iconic formula for this brand and uses kaolin clay and bentonite clay to draw out impurities and clear pores. Plus, it has aloe vera to moisturize and soothe skin, too.
Available at Sephora ($25) | Also available at Kohl’s
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
This is a great formula for anyone who has a sensitized barrier or has caused majour havoc on their skin from over-exfoliation. It’s pretty thick and I prefer to use it at night than during the day. I think the formula is very different, but I would compare this to the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 or the Avéne Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. All three of these formulas are meant to be a gentle reparative treatment when your skin is in SOS mode.
Available at Sephora ($48) | Also available at Ulta
Kiehl’s Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream
This is a really lightweight water cream that is great for folks with acne-prone or oily skin (here are some other products I love for best skin care for dry acne-prone skin). I like that it targets irritation and redness, and is meant to calm and soothe with calendula. Unfortunately, I don’t love that this formula contains fragrance.
Available at Ulta ($58) | Also available at Saks Fifth Avenue
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with 10.5% Squalane
Even though it doesn’t contain hyaluronic acid, this face mask is insanely hydrating. Like I can’t believe how moisturized it makes my skin feel. I like to use it once a week overnight to boost my hydration levels. A little bit goes a long way, and I find that it doesn’t clog my pores or irritate my skin further.
Available at Sephora ($45) | Also available at Neiman Marcus
Are Kiehl’s Products Worth It?
In my opinion, Kiehl’s products are definitely worth the price. Especially because this brand has been around for so long and I feel like they really know their shit. The price range at Kiehl’s is pretty vast, with products starting at $25 and going up to $145. My guess is that the average cost of Kiehl’s products is around $50.
This is definitely not an affordable brand. But, if you are interested in leveling up your skincare routine, you can usually count on Kiehl’s products to be worth the price and not let you down. Additionally, I think a bunch of their products come in mini sizes, so if you wanted to try something out before purchasing it at full-price, that would be cost-effective.
Where Are Kiehl’s Products Sold?
You can find Kiehl’s products on many different retailers. Some of the spots you can purchase these products include:
FAQs About Kiehl’s Products
Are Kiehl’s products good for acne?
There are some Kiehl’s products that are specifically targeted for acne, but I wouldn’t consider Kiehl’s an acne-first skincare line (Paula’s Choice products, on the other hand, really target acne well). Kiehl’s is more of a skincare and haircare line that focuses on anti-aging and hydrating dry skin.
Are Kiehl’s products paraben free?
Yes, starting in 2019, all Kiehl’s products have been paraben-free and safe for skin.
Are Kiehl’s products clean?
No, I would not consider Kiehl’s products “clean” by the United State’s “clean beauty” standards (which are not very strict, by the way). That being said, I think Kiehl’s uses safe skincare ingredients that have been rigorously tested and used in skincare products for years.
Are Kiehl’s products cruelty-free?
Kiehl’s is not cruelty-free and does test on animals.
Are Kiehl’s products gluten-free?
No, Kiehl’s products are not 100% gluten-free.
Are Kiehl’s products safe for pregnancy?
Not all Kiehl’s products are safe for pregnancy, but I believe that some are. Always consult with your doctor before trying a new skincare product if you are pregnant.
Are Kiehl’s products vegan?
No, Kiehl’s products are not vegan.
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