Doesn’t do what it says on the label, but I love it! – Kiehls Overnight Biological Peel

As stated several times before, I rarely need to moisturize my face.
It turned from being an oil slick to being a little shiny throughout the years and I am very pleased with that.
Now could we please stop the whole aging process of the skin right here?

Sadly, this is not how it works, and I slowly get the feeling that I am leaving this skin comfort zone towards the drier realms of being mature.
During the cold winter months we experienced lately I noticed the need for a daily moisturizer.
And not only this: One evening I was staring at my reflection in the mirror, feeling my skin all tight!
I needed an extra boost of hydration!

Kiehl´s Over-Night Biological Peel

I was lost.
Nothing in my stash seemed to fit the bill, until I rediscovered something I had tucked away right in the corner of my cabinet: Kiehl´s Over-Night Biological Peel.

I had bought it, figuring it would be Kiehl´s version of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, which wasn’t readily available in Germany at this time, and was disappointed. It was way more moisturizing, something I was absolutely not looking for then.

What Kiehl´s claims:
Facilitates the natural exfoliation process and exposes noticeably smoother, more even and vibrant skin by morning. Suitable for all skin types. As effective as 10% AHAs.

Facts:
One bottle contains 50 ml (1.7 fl. oz.) and retails for 45 € here.
It has a pearly white color and an almost creamy consistency, with no noticeable smell.
You need no more than two pumps to cover your whole face and neck, so 50 ml will last you quite some time.
When applied to the face, it sinks in very slowly, so wearing it throughout the day, like I once tried isn’t an overall pleasant experience. I dislike feeling product sit on my skin.

One drop, slightly blurry



Favorable ingredients:
– Urea: Moisturizing. I´ll go into more detail below.
– Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid (HEPES): A buffering acid to balance pH, although Kiehls claims it is an enzyme activator
– Glycerin: Moisturizing
– Sodium Chloride: Salt. Slightly drying, fights eczema and inflammation.
– Sodium Hyalorunate: Moisturizing.

Kiehl´s claim that Urea is an enzyme activator naturally present in the surface layer of our skins, helping with exfoliation. This is true. In parts. The biggest amount of Urea is somewhere else in the human body. It is in our urine.
True is that Urea has exfoliating and water binding properties. Have you ever heard people tell you to tone your face with your… urine? They refer to exactly that. It is said to help fight acne, but I never had the stomach to try it myself…
But don’t you worry: Kiehls is using a synthetical form of Urea.

Unfavorable Ingredients:
Silicones and parabens. Although they make their appearance late in the ingredient list.

Does it live up to its claims?
No.
I don’t get any peeling effect out of using it. No little tingling, not the brightening effect my AHAs give me, nothing in the radiance department.
But it makes my skin feel hydrated and supple with moisture in an instant. If it only claimed that on the bottle instead of being as effective as an AHA…

Will I rebuy?
Probably not.
I really like it, but I want to try other hydrating masks once this is finished.

Who do I recommend it to?
People with dehydrated or dry skin, looking for a gentle peeling that gives additional moisture. But beware of the added parabens, if you are sensitive to that.

Have you tried this one yet?
What are your top moisturizing masks?
And did you were try the urine thing?

MerkenMerken

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