With a new batch of Kiehl’s goodies we got, we updated our review. We would say this is the most complete Kiehl’s guide available to date online, as not only do we bring you facts and true expertise of comparing the products to other top brands, but also this review is combined by sharing our personal experience by actually trying out these products.
Kiehl’s is known for their “nature powered” skin care, particularly their treatments, creams and lotions. One of the benefits of many of Kiehl’s skin care products is that they are designed to work on a variety of skin care types.
Making them not only popular, but versatile as well.
Kiehl’s Skin Care Review
Overall
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Packaging:
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Texture:
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Scent:
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Price:
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Ingredients:
Summary
Founded in 1851, Kiehl’s has been one of the leading names in skin care for over 165 years. The original Kiehl’s in NYC, began as a pharmacy and by 1964 had reached national fame, when Andy Warhol famously touted his love for the brand’s blue astringent. Soon, Kiehl’s not only gained national recognition but expanded to include more products, and their own Dermatologist Solutions collection–designed to address specific skin conditions ranging from acne to aging and everything in between. Today Kiehl’s carries skin care, body treatments, hair products and a men’s line and can be found at retailers around the globe. Bottom Line Many of Kiehl’s most popular products not only come with rave reviews and a cult-following, but they come at a relatively affordable price point as well. While you will pay more for the Kiehl’s quality than with your standard drugstore brand, it is still more budget friendly than other competing luxury brands. Those with very specific skin issues may note that with such a wide breadth of products, Kiehl’s can be a “jack of all trades, but master of none.” However, for those looking to stick with a single brand for all of their skin, hair and body needs, Kiehl’s will have you covered.
You might want to also read about our Kiehl’s complete savings guide.
Kiehl’s Main Focus is Skin Care:
Unlike other brands that expand to products range out of their core (for example Elizabeth Arden is producing also fragrances, makeup etc), Kiehl’s remains loyal to only to what they do best- skin care- and we love this approach of expertise rather than trying to have it all for everyone.
Areas of Skin Care Expertise:
Kiehl’s has a wide range of skin care products. They have toners, cleansers, moisturizers and treatments for every type of skin type to keep it hydrated and beautiful.
These are the 5 main groups of products they manufacture:
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Skin Care Line –
Kiehl’s has a wide range of skin care products. They have toners, cleansers, moisturizers and treatments for every type of skin to keep it hydrated and healthy. Kiehl’s full range of Skin Care Products since around 2019 are also started to be manufactured without parabens which is the benchmark these days among strong brands.
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Body Care Line –
Kiehl’s has a lovely line of of body care products with an incredible premium essence. From body washes to scrubs and body oils- Kiel’s provides everything you need to enjoy your time before and after the shower.
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Men’s Care Line –
If you were wondering why do you see Motorcycles in many Kiehl’s stores, then back in the late 70’s they displayed Motorcycles in their NYC store for what they coined as the “spirit of adventure” , so who said skin care isn’t for men? Kiehl’s iconic men’s care line includes everything from facial scrubs, beard grooming products and various moisturizers to help you feel fresh and new all day long.
When we compare it to the popular “Loreal Men Expert” So for the Kiehls, you would pay around double or even triple the price than Loreal Men’s line. Kiehl’s win with the quality of scents and premium touch while Loreal offers better Anti aging ingredients such as their unique French vine extract which we absolutely love.
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Hair Care Line –
Hair washing with ultra quality shampoo is one of the most underrated things to do for your hair. It’s also a chore that almost everyone dreads doing, but it’s so easy!
If you go into a salon and ask them how much they charge for shampooing someone’s hair, it will be around $10-$50. Think about it that most of Kiel’s shampoo’s cost around $20 and you will enjoy many spa-level shampooing at home, so it’s really worth it in our opinion. By comparing it to other premium hair care brands so we can see that Kieh’s price is very good, in comparison Ahava shampoo would cost around $30 in the USA.
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The Dermatologist solutions Line –
This line is all about skin treatments, we suggest if you have a real skin problem, consult with a dermatologist about it.
Which Kiehl’s products are the most popular in the USA?
These are the top 5 most popular* products in the USA:
| 1 | Kiehl’s ultra facial cream |
| 2 | Kiehl’s eye cream |
| 3 | Kiehl’s midnight recovery concentrate |
| 4 | Kiehl’s avocado eye cream |
| 5 | kiehl’s facial fuel |
* Data provided by Google.
Kiehl’s Ingredients Guide: What They Are and Where They Come From
Pro’s: their main feature is “Inspired by our apothecary roots” which you can find a full list of these lovely roots benefits here. Apothecary roots are defined as “a plant with a root that is used in herbal medicine”
Con’s:
You will find few ingredients that allow to sustain the products. However these few ingredients such as phenoxyethanol (found for example in the item “damage repairing and rehydrating conditioner”) do pass all the strict USA safety regulations. If you were to go with a 100% natural product they would not have a long shelf life.
With that said, they have the following message on their website called “commitment to product safety”:
Is Kiehl’s Testing on Animals?
We want to bring both sides of the story:
According to Loreals website (owners of Kiehl’s) the answer clear answer is 100% NO.
However according to Peta organization, the Loreal group does certain Animal testing.
Regardless of who is right, this is our view on the topic; the only reason of doing Animal testing (which we are against) is to access the Chinese market, however in May 2021 China is changing their regulations that it won’t require anymore on imported cosmetic products such testing. – we believe if there is was the slightest issue which goes against Loreal ‘no testing claims’ then this major change by China will give us the confidence that no animals are getting hurt, you can read this for more info:
China Announces New Animal Testing Policy for Cosmetics After PETA Push
Where Can I Buy Kiehl’s Products?
Huge retailers such as Sephora, Ulta, and Target carry the brand, Kiehl’s also has more than 70 stores in the USA with 8 stores in NYC, which the flagship store is on 109 3rd Ave. And of course, you can find their full range of products on their official website.
Kiehl’s Prices vs. Similar Brands
Kiehl’s prices are mostly similar to other top premium brands, so in this comparison we decided to compare and look into the other brands classic moisturizers (the basic versions not the ones with extra anti-aging ingredients etc).
For example, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is $32 for a 1.7 f.l. oz jar,
Compared to Origins basic best selling moisturizer you would pay about the same price $31 for a 1.7 f.l. oz jar.
Yet compared to Ahava’s basic Moisturizer, you would have to pay 43% more for Ahava.
So we think the prices are great for what you get!
The Effectiveness of Kiehl’s Products:
It is difficult to find many drawbacks or negative feedback against Kiehl’s, the company has been around for a long time with a cult-like following and have won numerous industry awards.
We put many of Kiehl’s products to our own test and we also looked at real reviews on major sites about some of their products in order to give you an idea of what the masses think;
On Sephora, most of Kiehl’s product reviews are 4.5-5 with thousands of likes, for example, the “Ultimate Strength Hand Salve” got 18k likes giving it a 4.5 score! Amazon gave this cream a 4.8 score out of 5 from 500 people!
Judging from reviews on Sephora or Amazon, it appears that Kiehl’s products are extremely user satisfactory.
Here are few typical words from of what people are saying:
“My hands were really rough and dry, so I put the Salve on overnight. By morning they felt a lot better.”
Another customer mentioned on this product “holy grail product for me”
Another seal of confidence is that Kiehl’s won over the years many awards for their products including: Allure 2020 Best Beauty Awards, 2020 GQ Readers Choice Grooming Awards among many others.
Are There Any Premium Brands That Can Replace the Effectiveness of Kiehl’s in the Same Price Point?
Kiehl’s still stands strong against many of the other premium brands.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a brand with a different vision then here are some alternatives:
Ahava– Some consumers may believe that using Ahava is worth the higher prices for products made with Dead Sea minerals. From our experience the texture and scents of Kiehl’s are much better compared to Ahava. Our recommendation is that you use Ahava as a complementary brand to your Kiehl’s routine by using Ahava’s complimentary products like their facial masks and soaps.
Origins – is a great alternative brand to look into. They are known for using natural ingredients and have a wide variety of products to choose from like their popular Ginzing Eye Cream. Kiehl’s is still the benchmark in the premium department but if you’re looking for something different then I would suggest trying Ahava or Origins as they both offer fantastic alternatives with unique benefits, Origins has also many stores across the united states.
What Sets Kiehl’s Appart From its Competitors?
Kiehl’s is a heritage brand that has been around for over 150 years and is committed to developing and delivering the most premium, high-performance skin care products in the world.
their success lies in the ability to offer consumers what they want with the apothecary approach, it’s not for cheap but rather at a price that makes sense.
In our opinion, Kiehl’s sets the benchmark of premium standard in the skin care industry.
Let’s read more about the prodcuts..
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel
When it comes to Kiehl’s moisturizers, very few are discussed as much as Kiehl’s Facial Fuel. This moisturizer is not only one of the most popular products in the company’s line, but one of the oldest.
While it technically falls within the men’s line of products, this Kiehl’s moisturizer works for women as well.
This product was designed with the outdoorsman, or outdoorswoman, in mind and is meant to help the skin resist the effects of environmental stress.
This product is non-oily, and has a gel-like consistency for those who are worried about heavy, greasy moisturizers—it also makes it a great summer moisturizer as well.
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this Kiehl’s skin care product, it comes in a bigger sized bottle and a little of this moisturizer can go a long way.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel is also made with pure Vitamin C, it can also help improve your skin’s texture and reduce things like lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging.
This Kiehl’s moisturizer doesn’t have a lot of chemicals in it, so it’s safe for sensitive skin and has a light and refreshing mint scent to it that will really wake you up in the morning.
Some even recommend refrigerating this moisturizer before applying it for an extra burst of freshness—if you are someone who needs three cups of coffee to get going in the morning, trust us this tip is worth trying, it will really wake you up.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 15
Even though the Kiehl’s Facial Fuel is one of the best products the brand has, it is important to pay close attention to the version of this Kiehl’s moisturizer you are buying.
Kiehl’s also has a Facial Fuel SPF 15—which simply doesn’t compare to the original.
While adding SPF 15 to a moisturizer that claims to be great for outdoor use makes a lot of sense, this product just falls flat.
The additional SPF changes the entire texture of this popular moisturizer and makes it heavy, greasy and difficult to rub in. If you want a great moisturizer stick with the original and add your own SPF instead.
And as for that lovely clean mint smell with the original Kiehl’s Facial Fuel? Don’t expect that with the SPF version; it smells like sunscreen.
Kiehl’s Eye Treatment Cream With Avocado
There are a few different Kiehl’s eye treatments available, but one of the brand’s best sellers is the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
Like many Kiehl’s creams it is made mostly with all-natural ingredients, including Avocado Oil, so it isn’t irritating on the eyes—which can be hard to find in quality eye creams.
This one in particular has a very cream texture that was designed not to migrate to the eyes, which is a nice perk for both those with sensitive eyes and those worried about their eye creams smudging their makeup.
It’s one of the brand’s most popular and top-rated products and it’s easy to see why. While a small 0.5 fl oz jar is going to run around $29, which isn’t cheap, a little of this will go a long way, and this cream can be used as both a daytime and nighttime eye treatment, so you won’t have to double up on your undereye treatments.
Ultra Facial Cleanser
There are a few different Kiehl’s Facial Cleansers, but the Kiehl’s Ultra Cleanser is their universally-popular product designed to work on all skin types.
It is very gentle, which makes it good for sensitive skin types, but as you massage it into the skin it really starts to foam, giving you that deep-clean sensation.
You only need a little bit of this product with every use and it really lathers up well. Plus, at only $20 for a 2.5 oz tube, it’s a good bargain and is going to last a long time.
This Kiehl’s facial cleanser is also pH-balanced and is designed to cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils or over-drying which is a common concern for those with dry or aging skin.
It doesn’t have that great scent that many Kiehl’s skin care products are known for but it’s still made with plenty of natural ingredients like vitamin E and Avocado Oil so it doesn’t smell like chemicals either.
Ultra Facial Toner
The Kiehl’s toners are notoriously popular, and while they have quite a few different types of toners, their basic, yet very effective, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner is still one of their best-reviewed.
Much like the Ultra Facial Cleanser, this is a toner touted for all skin types. While it is milder than some of the other facial toners the brand has it still gives that deep-cleaning feeling when you apply it.
The smallest bottle of toner is only $8 and it is made without alcohol so while it deep-cleans it’s not going to be drying.
Since it doesn’t have alcohol in it, if you are used to the stinging sensation most alcohol-based toners deliver, don’t be expecting it with this product. It is PH-balanced, gentle and actually moisturizes the skin too.
It’s a different sensation when you apply, but it still really gets in your pores and helps even out your skin texture.
Daily Reviving Concentrate
Facial oils are all of the rage right now. Kiehl’s take on the facial oil comes in their Daily Reviving Concentrate. However, while many skin oils are actually used as cleansers, this one is meant to stay on the skin all day.
It has a pretty slick texture, so oily girls beware, it may make your skin look more greasy than it is. It’s actually meant to be used as a daytime serum, so it’s a product you put on before your moisturizer.
This oil is 100% natural, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic and ideal for virtually any type of skin, it’s also designed to help skin look youthful and radiant, which most people obviously love.This oil really does deliver on what it says. Its fresh, lightweight, smells good and can even protect the skin.
However, it is also one of the brand’s most expensive products and doesn’t exactly tote the same type of noticeable results that their other products do. While it claims to help keep the skin looking less fatigued, this product is still $123 for a 3.4 fl oz bottle, making it pretty costly even compared to many luxury products.
Overall Experience
Overall, Kiehl’s is a great brand—after all they’ve been at it for more than 165 years. When it comes to their basic staples in their Kiehl’s skin care line such as their moisturizers and facial washes, this brand knows what their doing.
However, with a few of their more “specialty” products they don’t always deliver the same consistency.
Overall, this is a brand you can trust and with so many different products available, you can rest assured there are Kiehl’s skin care products designed for your skin
care concerns.
