Project Focus 10: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

~ stashy

Another Monday, another Project Focus 10 review! It’s actually a holiday here today. It’s Family Day, which is a fairly new holiday for us (it started in 2008). Family Day activities include: going skating, playing hockey, skiing… oh who am I kidding? We just sleep in, watch tv, eat junk food and waste the day away – and then tomorrow we complain about how the long weekend wasn’t long enough. 😛
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Today I’ll be looking at Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream:
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I bought the 50ml jar for CAD $34, but it is also available in a 125ml jar for CAD $58, which is a better value per ml ($0.68 vs $0.46).

I opened this up with the intention of using it for my nighttime cream since I had finished my Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream. To me, the name “Ultra” alludes to how rich this cream might be, so I thought it would be perfect for nighttime use – but in fact, I found this to be better suited for daytime use. Maybe it’s just me, but I like rich creams for nighttime use – ones that leave the face shiny looking… just me, then? 😉
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I do appreciate that Kiehl’s packaging is no-fuss, and this jar comes with an inner lid to keep the product fresh. Some people don’t like jars for creams but I don’t mind much.
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This cream touts that it contains Antarcticine, sourced from Antarctica, which is a glycoprotein that has superb protection against dryness, and helps to hydrate the skin. The Kiehl’s site goes to explain that “*A glycoprotein is a macromolecule composed of a protein and a carbohydrate (an oligosaccharide).” I’m not sure how that’s important – it’s just some mumbo jumbo to make this product sound good? Mainly, it is a glycerin based moisturizer, containing squalane (antioxidant), urea (exfoliant), avocado oil, apricot oil. The Antarcticine mentioned is in the form of Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract – *shrug*.
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Here’s the full ingredient list:

Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sucrose Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, PEG-8 Stearate, Urea, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerithrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, PEG-8, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Sweet Almond Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja (Soybean)Oil, Tocopherol, Collagen, Hydroxypalmitoyl, Sphinganine, Chitosan, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate

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This moisturizer, leaves the skin supple looking but without the shine – it absorbs into the skin quickly and completely. Makeup glides onto this moisturizer perfectly and there’s no pilling / balling of foundation on top (I tested with a few different foundations). We’ve been experiencing a cold snap here (-33C with windchill!) and this cream really delivered on the hydration front – a true test is around my nose area where I tend to get flakes, there was none at all!

And here’s what the container looks like after a month’s worth of usage:
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I estimate this jar will last me around 4 months.

It has a light, non-greasy texture (excuse my dry hands here):
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I’m pleasantly surprised by this cream!  I find it comparable to my previous HG, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ ($32 for 125ml) which is a mineral oil based moisturizer.  Some people don’t like mineral oil on their skin, so I’d recommend Kiehl’s in place of the Clinique. I’d also like to mention a recent discovery that also rivals these moisturizers: the Mary Kay TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer Normal/Dry Skin ($35 for 88ml), which is also a fantastic glycerin-based daytime moisturizer. I had already started using the Mary Kay when I opened the Kiehl’s (which I had originally intended for nighttime use) – so I’ve been alternating between the Mary Kay and the Kiehl’s (I find the Kiehl’s to be slightly more hydrating).  And interestingly enough, none of these moisturizers are all that pricey.
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I should also mentioned that since I relegated the Kiehl’s for daytime use, I had to find another nighttime moisturizer in my stash – I end up opening the Kibio Ki-Crème, which is an excellent shea butter-based cream that makes my face so awesomely dewy looking – perfect for nighttime! 😀

Pros:
• Did not break me out
• Unscented
• Very hydrating
• Works well under makeup
• Not too expensive

Cons:
• Jar format not as hygienic

Stash worthiness: 9/10

Have you tried Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream? What’s your current daytime moisturizer?

Please go check out my collab gang for their Project Focus 10 post:
♦ Ingrid of Curly.Spring.Blossom
♦ Jodi of A Brash Attitude
♦ Joy of Styled With Joy

52 thoughts on “Project Focus 10: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream”

    1. I’m surprised Quebec doesn’t have Family Day! Of all the provinces, I thought the celebration of family would be more sacred there. You should petition haha.
      I didn’t know that Paula’s Choice even made face masks – interesting… somehow I’d thought she wouldn’t believe in face masks since they’re temporary. 😛

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  2. I’ve looked at this for a while, but was afraid it would be too moisturizing for me. I may end up giving this a try when my no-buy is over!!

    I also love something at night that leaves me dewy looking so that I really feel moisturized and refreshed when I wake up!

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    1. I held off buying this for ages and then had this sitting in my stash for a while too. I’m really pleased I finally got around to using it. It lives up to the hype for sure!
      Glad I’m not the only who likes something heavier for nighttime! 😛

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  4. A family day ? Say what ??? ☹️ Not in Quebec …
    I start to see some Kiehl’s products at Winners ! (Yay) I think this cream would be so good as a daytime moisturizer for me too … I don’t mind this kind of jar since I wash my hands 30 times per day 😛

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    1. I’m shocked you guys don’t have Family Day! I’d thought Quebec would be the first to sign up for that. You guys really need to petition for this!
      Oh interesting, have not spotted any Kiehl’s at Winners. I’ll have to keep a look out. Yes, I’m a frequent hand washer too… hence why my hands are so DRY now ugh. But I really don’t want to get sick so hand washing is my first line of defense!

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  6. I’m the same, I prefer using thick masks that make my face shiny at night. I don’t have time to wait for stuff to absorb in the morning. This sounds really interesting, I’ll have to add it to my Kiehl’s shopping list!

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    1. Yes during the day I want something that will absorb quickly so I can get on with the rest of my face! This manages to hydrate without the shine and greasiness – I was so impressed! 🙂 You can always ask for a sample of this before you commit – Kiehl’s is so good with providing samples.

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  8. Hah, I feel like Family Day activities are for…well, families (the ones with children, anyways). The rest of us just bum around 😛

    Thanks for the in-depth review on this cream! Sounds like it worked really well for you. It’s awesome that it was able to hold up in super cold weather! Do you think you’d repurchase it again to use as a day cream?

    I’m also the same as you, definitely go for a heavier cream at night than in the day! Perfect time to pack on the moisturisation!

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    1. Oh yes I should have noted that in the review – YES, I would definitely repurchase this, and in the larger tube next time! A test for me is when I apply the cream and the driest areas on my face (around my nose and cheeks) actually tingles a bit from having the moisturizer sooth them – It feels so nourishing!
      What is your day time cream – do you use the Shiseido?

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      1. Figured it would be a repurchase since it was a 9/10 Stash Worthiness! I never know if the tingling is a good thing or not… is it hydrating my skin, or burning it?? Haha.

        Yep, using Shiseido as a day cream! Although I just started testing out a different brand so we’ll see! I have a feeling I’ll run back to Shiseido 😛

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          1. For us, everything hosted on WordPress.com is unblocked and everything on WordPress.org is blocked – annoying! I’ll just comment using my phone now. It’s easier on the computer of course (typing on keyboard, use less data!) but it’s not a problem at all.

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              1. Haha don’t be silly, you do what you want for your blog! I think it’s awesome 🙂 I blame it on our IT dept. Weird because they let us on websites like Facebook and Pinterest (not that I use them at work, but I’ve tried), but not WordPress??

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                  1. As sucky as it is, makes sense that you don’t allow you to go on social media! I think I found a way around it – if I leave my first comment on your blog using my phone, any subsequent replies I can just reply using the notification list!

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  9. Ooh yay, thanks for the review – I’m hoping this gets recommend in my skin consultation when I go to the kiehls blogging event in a few weeks! Can’t justify buying it with about 10 face moisturisers in my stash – but if they give me samples of things then that’s fine haha! I’m the same as you thick shiny moisturisers at night that you can’t use under makeup 🙂
    family day sounds fab – our bank holidays are a similar premise but we don’t get any until Easter

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    1. I hope you get it at the event! This is one of their best sellers from what I understand – they seem to push it a lot whenever I’m at the store but I usually say I’ve got 10 face moisturizers in my stash! 😉 I’m glad I finally tried it though! I love how Kiehl’s offers samples – really good for their business model I think.
      Our provincial politician built one of his platforms on the promise of granting us an extra holiday between Christmas and Easter and this is how we got Family Day lol 😛

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      1. That sounds like the kind of man I’d vote for haha! Yes, definitely a cult favourite too. There is a promise of a goody bag so fingers crossed there’s a sample of that inside! Have tried absolutely nothing from them so really looking forward to trying it out – intrigued on their Midnight Recovery too, heard good things about that too 🙂

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        1. I wasn’t wow’d by the Midnight Recovery Oil itself. Wasn’t a miracle oil for me. I do like the Midnight Recovery Eye cream though. I still consider Kiehl’s a hair product brand myself – since that’s how I got into the brand. I LOVE their amino acid shampoo and their olive oil hair pack – 2 must haves for me!

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      1. You’re most welcome lovely! It’s a more natural brand that I’ve been using for a couple of years in-and-out… Some products are hits, some are misses… But in general they have lovely stuff!… Give them a go when you can! 😘

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    1. I actually got started with Kiehl’s through their hair care! I still love one of the first items I ever tried from them – the amino acid shampoo. The skincare and body care were later discoveries for me!

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  12. I too love having a super rich night cream! The shinier the better yo 🙂
    I like the Kiehl’s cream quite a bit too but I didn’t feel like it was my holy grail moisturizer so I kind of strayed away from it. But I would totally buy it again! Right now I’m using some newer CeraVe moisturizers that are really nice and might actually be my favorites that I’ve tried to date.
    We had a Monday holiday in the US too! And you’re right, the long weekend really wasn’t long enough 🙂

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    1. I’ve still not tried CeraVe – it seems to have really mixed reviews. I’ll have to give it a whirl one of these days. I’ve gotten a bit snobby with my skincare… I’ve been burned too many times with drugstore skincare stuff breaking me out!

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      1. CeraVe is very hit or miss for me. I really like this particular line but I’ve been pretty underwhelmed by everything else I’ve tried from the brand.
        I definitely hear you on getting broken out by drugstore skincare! I do tend to check out the ingredients for drugstore skin care more thoroughly than I do for higher end products. It can just go so horribly wrong sometimes!

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  13. This seems like something I’d love! I’m quite the opposite 😛 I like for moustirizers to sink into my skin lol I already finished my moisturizer which is the philosophy take a deep breath 😦 I need to repurchase! I wanna say I think I’ve tired the clinique one but I’m not quite sure, I have a sample and it’s yellow but I dunno if it’s this particular one!

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    1. Your Clinique sample is probably this one – they give it away with EVERY gwp! 😛 I don’t mind because I really like it. Some people don’t get on with mineral oil but I have no issues and I like how it works under any foundation.

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    1. Oh yes, I have some creams that come with the spoons. I try to use them but I get LAZY. I always wash my hands before I do my skincare or applying makeup so I’m not concerned about the jar format – just some people are really against them! Thanks for the suggestion, Mary! 🙂

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