Winter this year decided to surprise many people, no matter whether you live in the US or Europe. I’m not sure about your skin, but mine needed some special care for the lowest temperatures in 16 years. Thankfully, L'Oréal sent me Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream to test it and share my opinion.
About Kiehl’s
Do you know that Kiehl's is not a new brand on the market? Kiehl's story started in 1851. The brand started as a pharmacy created by John Kiehl. The first store created by Kiehl's is located on 3rd Avenue and East 13th Street in New York. This store is still open, and you can visit it! According to Kiehl's first product was created by Irving Morse, the next owner of Kiehl's pharmacy and pharmacologist, and his son continued working at Kiehl's. In 1962, Kiehl's started to sell Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, Blue Astringent Lotion, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, and Ultra Facial Moisturiser. In 2005, Kiehl's released a new skincare line - Dermatologist Solutions™. Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution is one of the examples of the Dermatologist Solutions™ line. The brand is focused on creating good formulas for the skin and sustainability. It's also good to add that in the year 2000, L'Oréal acquired Kiehl's.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream - Packaging
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream comes in two versions: 28 ml and 50 ml. The smaller version doesn’t come in any additional packaging, just a red jar.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream - Texture & Scent
This cream has no scent, but the texture is so rich. What I’ve noticed is that it doesn’t work well with makeup. It’s suitable for acne-prone and oily skin. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream is not too heavy for such skin.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream - Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, C15-19 Alkane, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Chlorphenesin, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Zinc Gluconate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf ExtractActive Ingredient: 1% Colloidal Oatmeal
Water is typically listed in cosmetic products under names such as "Aqua" or "Eau". It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. In skin care products, water must meet specific purity standards, ensuring it is clean and free from impurities, including minerals, microorganisms, and other substances. Water usually makes up the majority of the product's content. Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Depending on the product, its origin can be natural or synthetic. It protects against TEWL (transepidermal water loss), a natural process that occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs and a natural moisturizing factor. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it—just the opposite—it protects your skin from irritation.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient that is quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual. What works for you might not work for someone else.
Squalane is an ingredient very similar to our sebum. Squalane and squalene sound identical, but there's a difference. Squalane has no double bonds, while squalene has double bonds. What does it mean? Squalane is a more stable version of squalene. What I love about this ingredient is how well it works with all skin types and how our skin needs it. Believe me, if your skin is irritated, go for squalane! This ingredient is usually derived from sugarcane or olives. It acts like an emollient, and you need it in your life.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is a butter obtained from the seeds of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree, a tree typical of Africa. It's an emollient rich in antioxidants like vitamin E or vitamin A. It's a source of oleic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid. Shea butter is a well-moisturising emollient that leaves a fine film on the skin and hair to protect from dehydration. It has soothing properties, and it might provide sun protection around SPF 2-4 (still, use proper sun-protecting agents instead of oils and butter for your safety). This ingredient is an excellent choice for dry skin and psoriasis. Shea butter hydrates hair and helps them look shinier. It's good to choose certified shea butter from a trusted source.
Usually, when we see any alcohol, we suspect the worst. You shouldn't be scared of Stearyl Alcohol - it's an oily emollient. It leaves a protective film on your skin. It works as an emulsifier too. Cetyl Alcohol might sound scary, but it's a positive for the skin fatty alcohol. It helps with moisture, and it's a marvellous emollient. It leaves a film on the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Myristyl Myristate is an oily emollient. It makes the skin soft to the touch. This ingredient makes a film on the surface of the skin to prevent the skin from TEWL (transepidermal water loss). It's easy to apply, this process is so smooth. It helps detangle hair.
C15-19 Alkane is a solvent. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that lots of people try to demonise. The truth is that Phenoxyethanol is gentle on the skin and has antiseptic properties. Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturising properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth, go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.
Glyceryl Stearate is an emollient with emulsifying properties. Dimethicone is a silicone and polymer. PEG-100 Stearate is an oil-in-water-in emulsifier. Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil is an oily emollient and source of lecithin, oleic acid and linoleic acid. It can help with skin regeneration. Chlorphenesin is a synthetic ingredient used as a preservative in cosmetics. Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that works as an emollient and emulsifier. Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid, and an oily emollient. It works as an emulsifier. Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate neutralizes metal ions in the product.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickener. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer and quite a large molecule. It works as a thickener and emulsion stabiliser. Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. Bisabolol is a substance derived from Chamomile. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and it speeds up the wound healing process. It's a great ingredient to calm sensitive skin. The good news is that even if you're allergic to chamomile, you can still use bisabolol.
Zinc Gluconate is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that regulates sebum production. It’s an ideal ingredient for acne-prone skin. Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil is an emollient with a neutral scent. This oil is a source of flavonoids, lecithin, vitamin E, linoleic and oleic acids. It works as an oily emollient, and it's a good oil for massages. Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is a preservative with antioxidant properties. Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide that works as a thickener. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturising and antimicrobial properties.
Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the roles of adenosine in the body is that of a neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss. Sodium Hydroxide is a pH adjuster. Myristic Acid is a fatty acid. It works as an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Citric acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), a delicate exfoliant and buffering ingredient that adjusts the pH of the formula.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil is a source of linoleic acid and vitamin E. Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil works as an emollient. Sometimes you can see it as a carrier oil for other substances. It has anti-inflammatory properties and makes the skin barrier stronger. This oil should work on all types of hair porosity. Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract is a source of camphor, pinene, terpineol and rosmarinic acid. It's an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It boosts hair growth and calms the scalp. Colloidal Oatmeal is an ingredient which you can find in products for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. It's an emollient that has antioxidant properties. It soothes the skin, but it can work as a scrub and an absorbent.
How does Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream work?
I wanted to try this cream since the classic version of Ultra Facial is really good, and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream sounded interesting, but at the same time a bit dangerous since it contains Colloidal Oatmeal, which might not be the best choice if you have an allergy to gluten, oats or if you’re celiac. I’m celiac, but I’ve noticed that sometimes oats don’t work well for me in bodycare, but in skincare, I usually have no issues.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream is a M.E.D.I. grade cream that can be used post laser treatment, post chemical peel treatment, and it’s suitable for eczema-prone skin. It’s a product recommended for irritated skin.
I don’t post here too much lately since life is a bit busy, but in January, due to the temperature, I started to notice red veins on my nose and redness. Red veins are already mostly gone thanks to Haruharu Wonder Rose PDRN Soothing Serum and Numbuzin No 5 Glutathione TXA Advanced Dark Spot combo, but during low temperatures, you want to protect your skin more, so Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream came at an ideal moment.
It’s a delicate formula that doesn’t make my skin more oily, but it soothes the irritation well. It’s unscented - it’s a big win for many of us. It would be a perfect product.
Sadly, I have one issue with this product. If you want to use it with makeup, I hope you will have a better experience because what I’ve noticed is that it rolls under makeup. Still, I use it during evening routine, and during morning routine, I just go for Rejuran Derma Healer Moisture Cream.
Where to get Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream and how much does it cost?
I got this cream from L’Oréal, but if you want to buy Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream, check Kiehl’s website in your country. 28ml costs $30 while 50 ml costs $45.
If you want to support me, here’s my ShopMy link*, where you can find Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream and other post-treatments/soothing skincare products.
Overall, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream is a cream that, during winter, can save you, but it’s going to be useful all year long.
*** The product was gifted by Beauty Colab (L'oreal Group), even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product. This post contains affiliate links, all affiliate links are marked with *. By using these links you help me to pay for domain and all the cost related to blogging.***
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