Most of us will have noticed the beauty world's switch over the last few years...from the favouring of high - tech,"nanopeptide / stem cell regenerating / gold infused / copper ion particle" added science experiments,to the return of natural,basic,time honoured traditions that have stood the test of time (and were made in small apothecaries....NOT a lab).
Kiehl's has always been that brand...made with a heavy nod to nature,simple in it's formulas,but with science involved for proven results.
This moisturising offering is an essential for right now...hot,humid,uncomfortable and well,just plain "sticky".The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream is exactly as it claims...a super lightweight (after a little tweak in 2014),gel - cream formula that delivers a gorgeous "water like burst" of fresh moisture,that is translucent in colour,fragrance free, and feels like that "burst of water" on the skin that i mentioned ( which is very lovely and comfortable,especially right now).Now,in the vein of absolute transparency,i will give a quick heads up as to one of the top five ingredients in this formula...alcohol.I am a drier skinned girl....dehydrated and a more mature type,so alcohol isn't exactly what i want as one of the first few things listed on the ingredients roundup.This ingredient added to my experience in a unique way... I found the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream to be interesting (not just from a formulation perspective, but also from an aesthetic one).You see,it feels substantial as you apply it, kind of like a cream, but the texture on the skin,once applied is actually much lighter, like a gel (which had the potential to be very,VERY drying with the alcohol content),however, it didn't feel very drying to my skin at all...quite the opposite ( sure it's not the most moisturizing cream I've used,but it didn't dry me out spectacularly like I feared it would.Rather,it felt fantastic in terms of after feel,and that lasted for a good 6 - 7 hours. I would put this as a somewhat heavier version of Neutrogena's water based,gel - cream moisturiser (as it leaves behind a little more residue),but it is still lighter than most face creams on the market (perfect for oilier skins / breakout prone skin / a daytime in summer formulation for those who suffer dryness,but live with humidity and heat...not really a winter,cold climate option for the drier amongst us ).
Although my skin didn't have any negative reaction to it, I would probably put this in the "best for oily skins" category, and I'd be cautious about this if I had very dry skin -probably try a sample first before buying the full size. But for those with oily skin, and who have no issues with alcohol, then this could be a product that works.At a fairly good,50ml size,this will last a good few months (due to the low viscosity and ease of spread-ability),plus,at under $40,it is comparable to many products you will find in the supermarket.
TIP:Want a really cooling,soothing experience ? Pop in the fridge and apply....sun battered skin will drink in the moisture,and be soothed immediately.