Kiehl's Skincare Essentials

When it comes to skincare Kiehl's caters to everyone and they use high quality ingredients that produce visible results. Their Calendula Cleanser, Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Ultra Facial Cream are a few of my favorites, so today I’m featuring a new list of essentials that work wonders.

If winter is already wreaking havoc on your skin, the Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask ($56.00) will heal, soothe and soften in just one treatment. The rich formula is infused with avocado oil and extract so it looks and feels authentic.

Apply a generous amount and leave it on for 15 - 20 minutes so the omega oils, fatty acids and vitamins can deeply moisturize, replenish and strengthen. The consistency can take some getting used to but keep in mind that real avocado is a bit clumpy and thick. This is what makes the mask so creamy, luscious and nutritious. You don’t have to apply it perfectly, just dig some out of the jar and slather it on like a paste. You can also work it between your fingertips until it smooths out.

Avocado is also known to treat eczema, psoriasis, acne, inflammation, sunburn, UV damage, hyperpigmentation, scarring and dark spots. I am always amazed at how bright, even and clear my skin looks after each application.

Occasionally I experience mild hormonal acne that manifests as flat red spots. This type of blemish is difficult to treat and can take weeks to fade. Thankfully I found Kiehl’s Breakout Control Targeted Spot Solution ($36.00) – a potent sulphur formula that usually works within 2-4 days. I only use it at night but you can apply it up to 3 times a day to shrink, fade, and dry out pesky zits. For stubborn acne it might take a bit longer but the results are fantastic.

Dry lips tend to go hand-in-hand with winter so it’s a good time to stock-up on Butter Lip Treatments ($26.00 ea) infused with coconut oil, lemon butter and antioxidants. This creamy, revitalizing balm moisturizes, softens and alleviates chapped skin all day. The SPF 25 prevents lips from burning and discoloring in the sun which is great for summer and beach vacations. Unfortunately the formula has a short shelf-life (the expiry date is clearly marked on each tube) so you must use it within 5-6 months.

The Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream ($97.00) is like a refreshing drink for parched skin. The gel contains hundreds of micronized calendula flower petals that boost radiance, reduce redness, and smooths fine lines. You will notice that it absorbs very quickly and feels like a silky, lightweight serum with no residue or greasiness. It also layers well under other skincare (similar to a booster) and improves their effectiveness to enhance your glow.

There aren’t many sunscreens I like but Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50 ($77.00) is one of the best! Whether you’re heading to a sunny destination or you just need a good daily sunscreen, this formula is amazing! The lightweight, liquidy milk absorbs well with no greasiness, foul odor or white chalky film and it provides long-lasting UVA/UVB protection against sun damage, pollution and free radicals.

A little goes a long way and the matte finish works well under makeup without irritating or clogging pores. To balance dry skin apply the sunscreen over moisturizer and for flawless foundation mix some into your primer.

These products are available at Kiehl’s stores across Canada and at kiehl’s.ca

Kiehl’s Skincare Review - Bestsellers

Kiehl’s has been around since 1851 and over the years the brand has become renowned for quality ingredients and effective skincare that can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Now until September 27th 2017, you are invited to enjoy a free consultation at any Kiehl’s store across Canada to establish your skin needs and receive 5 complimentary samples! To celebrate this awesome promotion, I’ve been testing a few Kiehl’s Classics – a selection of top sellers and fan faves that have gained recognition for their amazing results.

First up is my personal favorite -  the Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($81.00) which comes in a dark blue bottle to maintain the integrity and potency of the natural ingredients. This replenishing Elixir is composed of pure essential oils and distilled botanicals that “restore the appearance of skin by morning.” Simply apply a few drops to clean skin before bed and let the nutritive extracts work their magic as you get your beauty rest. The oil smells fantastic and absorb deeply to regenerate, smooth, hydrate and repair. I absolutely love this product! It works well layered with my other night care and helps balance my skin to reduce and heal breakouts, blemishes and imperfections. After a few nights, my complexion is clear, even and supple.

I’ve been using Calendula Oil for years because it helps calm and soothe my skin. The Calendula Deep Cleansing Face Wash ($37.00) is soap and sulfate free to prevent dryness and the refreshing citrus extracts and rich lather foams away impurities, excess oil, dirt, bacteria and pore-clogging makeup.

The Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque ($35.00) is just what I need to prep my skin for a busy week and protect it from city smog and pollution. The rich, mineral clay is sourced from the Amazon River and gently draws out impurities and toxins while eliminating debris and dead skin cells. It also reduces the look of pores, purifies and detoxifies so skin appears clear, smooth, youthful and radiant.

I love anything that has avocado in it because the fatty oils are extremely nourishing. Kiehl’s has created the Creamy Eye Treatment with avocado ($38.00) – a decadent formula that moisturizes and rejuvenates delicate skin around the eyes to reduce the look of wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. It is thicker than most eyes creams so I prefer to apply it at night and I love that it doesn’t migrate into the eyes and burn.

The Crème de Corps All-Over Body Moisturizer ($39.00) is lightweight, non-greasy and incredibly hydrating! The cream alleviates dry, flaky skin on contact and makes my entire body feel supple, silky and healthy. This is a great product for fall/winter and it works wonders on dry hands, cuticles, nails and feet. I also use it after shaving to enhance smoothness and calm irritation.

The Ultra Facial Cream ($36.00) is a 24 hour daily moisturizer that can be used day or night to boost moisture with no greasy residue. The lightweight texture works well under makeup and I like to combine it with the Midnight Recovery Concentrate before bed to create an amazing night mask that revitalizes my skin.

You can find these great products at Kiehl’s Stores across Canada and online at kiehl’s.ca