Last month I visited Kiehl’s store, following great reviews
about its products, especially its overnight masks. The hydrating mask is the
latest addition to Kiehl’s Ultra Facial line. Launched few months back, overnight masks are still fairly
new in the skin care industry.
“Replenishes skin’s
water reserves for long-lasting hydration and healthy-looking skin”
“In just one
application this ultra-hydrating masque, formulated with Ophiopogon Japonicus
(aka Fountain Plant), fills skin’s ‘hydration reservoir’ to help reduce
moisture depletion. Combined with skin-protecting Glacial Proteins and
moisture-retaining Desert Plants, our formula leaves skin smoother and softer,
refreshed and supple.”
Of course, I was sold to that product description and I picked
it up to give it a shot J
I am not really fond of the idea of night creams as I
believe that one should let the skin breathe after the daily exposure of environmental pollutants combined with usage of various gels/serums/creams containing chemicals. However, I also don’t really mind applying a mask
overnight, albeit only once a week. And now….after test-applying this product for a month
(once every week), I decided to write about it. Ideally I should have tried this product during winter for a
real test, considering the dryness of that particular season. Nevertheless, it
is still a good use for summers and works fine for my combination skin. (do note that the product is for all skin types). Old school theory that oily
skins don’t need any hydration is such a myth- skin does actually turns greasy due
to lack of moisture, when oil production increases to lubricate the skin.
Moreover, whatever your skin type may be, hydration is necessary not only to
keep the skin healthy but also to delay ageing.
Since it is an overnight mask – meaning that we are required
to sleep with it – I was indeed skeptical !! Hmmm….wouldn’t it get messy? Will
it bother my sweet sleep? Any side-effects?
No, the process is easy - we need to apply a thick layer of
this almost translucent mask all over the face and neck avoiding the eyes and
the area around it. Considering my skin is quite sensitive, it did initially burn
a little around my cheeks. Furthermore, my cheeks did turn a little red. However,
the burning sensation subsided after couple of minutes. After ten minutes, remove the
excess, while leaving the remaining for overnight replenishment. I used a tissue
paper and dab dab to clean, while no rinsing was required. Voila! Allowing (almost
absorbed) mask do the work overnight. Sleeping with this (barely there) mask is not difficult and
not at all messy.
Next day my skin felt well hydrated, supple and
healthy…something which always makes me smile looking at the mirror. J
This gel-like mask locks and helps in retaining the natural
moisture of skin. I have acne prone skin, therefore at times I have to use an
acne spot treatment which dries out my skin. Hence, the night following the
treatment, I always use this mask to allow my skin to regain its moisture. This transparent clear gel contains glycerin and therefore, reminds me of my childhood nights, when my mom applied glycerin on my face (in
winters) to avoid flaky skin.
I also tried the product on my friend who has a very dry skin, and the next morning her skin too felt hydrated and soft. If required (like in winters) one may use the product twice a week.
Another important feature about this product is that it is silicon-free, paraben-free, colorant-free and fragrance-free.
Price: INR 2,100 for 125 ml - Considering once a week usage it may easily last for almost a year !
Enjoy using it!
