Blame it on the weather, hormones or just the Universe, but lately my skin has been out of control! What used to be dry and flaky, has now translated in a grease slick. After trying out several products and homemade remedies, I decided to buckle up my shoes and make a visit to the Skin Gods a.k.a. the nearest Kiehl’s store I could find!

Immediately as I walked into the bright, cheery store, I was greeted by one of their skin experts. After asking me a bunch of questions about how my skin felt and my daily skincare routine, he proceeded to test my skin by placing two pH strips – one on my forehead, and another on my cheek. The result? My previously ‘sensitive and dry’ skin, was now defined as ‘normal to oily’!

Post my skin analysis, I was introduced to a range of skincare products that were tailored to my needs. What sets Kiehl’s apart (and the reason I chose this brand), is that all their products have a high concentration of plant-derived ingredients, rather than synthetic ones. I was advised to wash my face twice a day with their Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, followed by a generous amount of the Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner. Both the products felt gentle and calming on my skin. Since I had complained about the uneven texture of my skin, I was instructed to dot a pearl-sized amount of the Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate across my face and neck. The serum is truly one of a kind as it immediately brightened up my face and made it look smoother – no jokes!

Dispelling the myth that oily skin does not require a moisturizer, I was given a pot of their Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream which is a lightweight, non-greasy cream. This works really well as a day cream, but at night my skin clearly craves more! This is where Kiehl’s award-winning Midnight Recovery Concentrate comes in. Two to three drops of this naturally-derived facial oil promises to deliver the healthiest skin you’ve ever had.

To complete my intensive skincare regimen, I was handed a tube of their Daily UV Defense (SPF 50 PA+++). Although I understand the importance of using sunscreen, I was initially apprehensive on seeing the white formula. All my nervousness went out the window, when I realised that the sunscreen turns transparent on application! A pea-size globule was enough for my entire face and neck. Although the formula does not mattify skin, it does leave a lovely dewy glow that I cannot get enough of.

I’ve been using these products for a week now, and my skin already looks 100 times better. If I had to pick a favourite out of all these products, I would definitely choose the toner as it really keeps my shiny T-Zone in check. The sunscreen comes a close second since I’ve never found a more weightless and effective formula.

So, what are you waiting for? Head to the closest Kiehl’s store and get ready to be amazed!