Best Kiehl's Skincare

Buying guide for Best Kiehl’s skincare

Skincare aficionados worldwide have loved Kiehl’s for years. Known for their quality products made with natural ingredients, Kiehl’s offers an extensive range of skincare items. From face oils to eye creams to skin-rejuvenating treatments, the company offers quality products that many people use.

Before you commit to a Kiehl’s product, there are some factors to consider. Think about your current skincare routine and where there might be room for enhancements. Consider, too, whether you have any skin allergies and if your skin is oily, dry, or a combination of both.

Kiehl’s has utilized science to develop products of the highest quality. It was one of the first brands to list all ingredients on the label for customers to see — they did this years before the U.S. government required it. The brand is known for infusing natural ingredients such as lavender oil, calendula extract, and manuka honey. Dozens of products that cater to different body areas are available. Continue reading for our take on the best Kiehl’s skincare.

Diet plays a huge role in the skin’s appearance. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and eat your fill of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Key considerations

Product type

Cleanser: Also known as face wash, cleansers are the foundation of a healthy skincare routine. To keep the face clear of dirt, oil, and other impurities that collect throughout the day, you should wash your face every day. A daily cleanser should be mild enough to use every day without irritating the skin. A number of Kiehl’s cleansers include mild, oil-free, non-abrasive ingredients.

Toner: Some people choose to overlook toner, but cleanser cannot capture all the dirt and oil on the face. Toner is an extra cleaning step, and depending on the ingredients, it may also help shrink pores. People often picture astringents like witch hazel when they think of toner, but that’s not the case with Kiehl’s. The premium skincare brand offers gentle toners that cleanse and hydrate at the same time.

Face serum: These are ultra-concentrated and packed with ingredients that address wrinkles, fine lines, and dehydration. Serums absorb more easily into the skin than lotions and may include active ingredients like vitamin C. Like cleanser and toner, face serum works best when used daily. A high-quality serum will improve the overall appearance of your skin. Serums with specific ingredients can also be purchased to target specific issues, such as hyperpigmentation or dry skin.

Eye cream: The skin under the eye is fragile and benefits from its own special treatment. Dark circles, dryness, and puffiness are a few of the issues that can occur on that part of the face. A Kiehl’s eye cream will replenish moisture, smooth the skin, and target particular issues. Kiehl’s eye creams are crafted with gentle ingredients and contain essential oils, vitamins, and the ever-popular hyaluronic acid, a skin-restoring moisturizing serum.

Moisturizer: Whether your skin is dry, oily, or a combination of both, everybody needs a daily moisturizer that suits their skin type and shields against the sun and elements. Moisturizer is best applied as the last step in your skincare routine. Kiehl’s moisturizers cater to different skin types. One of their most popular face moisturizers works nicely for all skin types and contains squalane, an oil derived from olives.

Ingredients

Natural oils are a common and beneficial ingredient found in skincare products. Lavender, argan oil, and sunflower oil are types of essential oils with soothing qualities that calm irritated skin.

Antioxidants help the skin repair itself. Ingredients like turmeric, manuka honey, and peony root extract are chock full of antioxidants. Even the antioxidant caffeine has skincare benefits: it naturally narrows blood vessels under the skin, making it an excellent eye cream ingredient.

Kiehl’s website is an excellent source for detailed skincare routines for people with oily, dry and combination skin, each linking to specific Kiehl’s products.

Features

Skin type

Dry skin: If your skin looks rough and cracked, is itchy or flaky, or feels tight, you likely have dry skin and require gentle hydrating products.

Your cleanser should be mild enough to leave some of your skin's natural oils behind. Kiehl’s offers alcohol-free toners formulated with ingredients like calendula herbal extract, which comes from calendula petals. Calendula flowers are renowned for their antifungal and antibacterial qualities, which can be especially helpful to reduce inflammation and redness.

Oily skin: If your face is frequently shiny and has visible pores, you likely have oily skin. Similarly to those with dry skin, those with oily skin will still want a cleanser that doesn’t strip too many natural oils.

People with enlarged pores may benefit from a cleanser focused on exfoliating and minimizing pores. Kiehl’s sells a bevy of oil-free products, all of which are fine options for reducing slickness while keeping the skin hydrated.

Combination skin: Some of us don’t fall neatly into the “dry/oily” skin categories. If your skin is oily along the forehead, nose, and chin but dry everywhere else, or if you generally notice two different textures on your face, you likely have combination skin.

The key to treating combination skin is maintaining a balanced skincare routine. For example, a gentle foaming cleanser is a fine choice for those with an oily T-zone. You can then balance it out with an alcohol-free, oil-free toner.

Kiehl’s skincare prices

Low

Between $10 and $35, Kiehl’s options consist primarily of toners, a few lotions, and select facial scrubs. For some items, you can choose between a smaller and larger size to adjust price. If you’re just looking to sample or buy a small gift, a few products come in very small containers of around 2.5 fluid ounces.

Mid-range

The $35 to $70 price range greatly widens your options. In addition to more facial scrubs and lotions, this is also the price range for face oils, eye serums, face creams, and sunscreens. A number of these products address age-related skin concerns and include ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Expensive

Kiehl’s items priced above $70 are largely limited to face oils, serums, and dark spot correctors. Few Kiehl’s skincare products fall into this price range.

Though Kiehl’s offers a plethora of products, it’s best to stick to the same few skincare products for consistency’s sake. Too much change can destabilize your skin. When you’re trying a new product, we recommend giving it three to four weeks to start noticing changes.

Tips

• Store your Kiehl's product in a cool place. It should be out of the sun and away from steam. Some people use a mini fridge to store their skincare products.
• Establish a separate morning and evening routine. Morning is the time to hydrate and apply sunscreen, while nighttime is excellent for retinol-based products that repair skin overnight. This will help you achieve healthy, glowing skin.
• If you are prone to breakouts, try washing your face twice a day. Give trial consideration to washing in the morning and then again before going to bed.

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Using a broad-spectrum SPF shields your skin from the sun and provides UV protection, which is helpful for skin health and assists in preserving a youthful appearance.

FAQ

Q. Are Kiehl’s products vegan?

A.  Kiehl’s products do not include vegan labeling or certification. It’s likely that some Kiehl’s products do use animal-derived ingredients.

Q. Is Kiehl’s good for sensitive skin?

A. Absolutely. Kiehl’s has some alcohol-free products and products with naturally sourced ingredients. You can visit their website to learn more about specific recommendations.

Q. Why are Kiehl’s products so expensive?

A. Kiehl’s quality ingredients and trusted skincare history come at a price. We say it’s worth it.