Good enough for Greenland? Good enough for me!
Did I mention it's cold in Boston?-
Perfect timing, Shine
Our sample of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream could not have arrived at a better time. I had just run out of my old standby. The windchill in Boston was below zero, meanwhile the heat in our office was cranked to sub-tropical. And my puppy needed to go out for a walk.
This time of year, it seems like staying hydrated could be a full-time job. We wrap ourselves head-to-toe to combat the biting cold, and once we're safely indoors and un-bundled, we wage war with the dry air from our heating systems. What's a girl to do to get a little peace (and moisture) around here?
Kiehl's, a long time favorite of mine (I especially love their Lip Balm #1), is known for their no-nonsense packaging (very old school apothecary) and quality, natural ingredients. They don't need to test their products on animals when they can test them on a team of explorers, more specifically, the first six people to ever ascend Greenland's ice covered peaks (hence the map of Greenland on the container). If their Ultra Facial Cream is good enough for Greenland's First Ascent, surely it's good enough for a quick stroll in New England?
Not-so-secret ingredients:
Antarcticine: This compound is extracted from sea glaciers in Antarctica (who has that job?) and protects the skin in extremely cold temperatures. It also shields the skin from free radicals and facilitates moisture retention.
Imperata Cylindrica: This is a plant extract native to deserts, including Australia's arid Outback, and contains a high concentration of potassium. Potassium helps the skin retain water (with both immediate and longterm effects) and is especially effective in dry climates... like my office building.
Squalane: a moisturizing oil extracted from the olive, Squalane is easily absorbed and very compatible with our skin's natural oils.
What I love
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is rich without making my skin feel greasy, and the formula (no long ingredient list) is gentle enough for my sensitive skin. I used a bit each evening before going to bed, and woke up without a even a touch of dryness. My skin felt smooth and looked fresh.
...and it's not just for the ladies!
I brought my sample home with me over Christmas and offered some to my younger brother, a college athlete who spends quite a bit of time outside practicing, despite the cold and wind. After trying the cream just once, he went from complaining about his dry skin to demanding that I leave the Kiehl's with him. Ain't gonna happen. You'll find most of Kiehl's products are very versatile; basic packaging and very light scents mean the men in you life might like this cream as much as I think you will.
This cream would be perfect if... I'd love to see this cream with sun protection. You'll find Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 (in both tinted and regular formulas), but I love this cream so much, it'd consider wearing it during the day as my regular moisturizer during the winter if it had sunscreen. I also wish the container... contained more product. I used the full 1.7 oz (granted, I was sharing!) in just a few weeks. At $24.50, the cream's a bit pricey, but it works so well that I suppose it's worth the extra expense.
Where can you get it?
I think your best bet is ordering directly from Kiehl's, where you'll find other products in the Ultra Moisture line (moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, cleanser and toner). If you spend $50 or more, you can have your order shipped for free (enter the code KIEHL at checkout) and-- this is the best part-- you can select up to three free samples with your online orders. And while you're online, you might consider picking up their Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. I just read (in Health Magazine) that Kiehl's donates the entire purchase price of hand salve ($12.50) to support AIDS research. Talk about a helping hand (Awful pun: intended!).
You might also be lucky enough to live near a Kiehl's retail store. There's one on Newbury Street in Boston: the perfect place to browse away a chilly afternoon!
Thanks for reading,
Elizabeth
How do you keep hydrated this time of year? Who do you share products with?
