Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate

It has much that my skin abhors: boron nitride, silicones, prop. Glycol! Well I was prepared to hate it and kept my receipt after being assured I could return it even if I took some time to realize I couldn't tolerate it. Not only is my skin tolerant, it's benefited! My breakouts (idk why I have them) went down to zERO and my skin looks smoother and better even the next day long after it's been washed off. It's doing SOMETHING idk what or how, but my skin is more even and less bumpy and the results stay even after washing it off (IE it's not a cosmetic effect from the silicones, something is actually helping). I'm giving it a 3 due to price. I've used a cheaper product for the same results and that one also has glycolic in it

Very silicone heavy, feels more like a silicone primer not a serum or moisturiser. Puts a heavy coating on the skin so it sits on the skin surface and doesn't allow other serums can't penetrate. Makes my skin go red, itches and breaks out. Probably because of all the extra un-necessary added fragrance ingredients? I can usually use strong acids and vitamin C serums, as long as they are unscented. Also, the main vitamin C they use is Ascorbic Acid. Even though its 10.5% it isn't stable, so most of it will be useless by the time it reaches your home. There is a small amount of Ascorbyl Glucoside which is better but its only 2.5% so it can't do that much. There are better, cheaper formulas out there.

I bought a little tube of this product to test it out and let me tell you, it works as a fantastic primer on my 42-year old skin with dry cheeks and eye area and somewhat uneven acneprone t-zone. My foundation looks so muy better! Softer and more radiant. I use the gel like product specifically as a powerful vitamin c infused primer, where it has HG status, I haven't used it at night because I'm not sure if it might clog my pores.

This serum is one of few in my life that broke me out like crazy. Not just that, but my skin felt weird, like some sort of allergies are starting. I tried everything: to apply this serum like I was advised in the shop- beneath the cream (also Kiehl's), without the cream, in the morning, or before bed, more product or just the tiniest amount.... it just doesn't work. Very unfortunate, having in mind the price tag. I use many creams, form Yves Rocher, Elizabeth Arden, or high end like Dior, Lancome, Shiseido, to natural or handmade. But I don't remember having this reaction in a long, long time.

I decided to try a c-vitamin serum, but found my sensitive and reactive skin broke out when trying some of the serums. I came over a reviewer that had the same experience with c vit serums that recommended this as a vit c serum. Omg! It started changing my skin within the week. So, not only does my skin tolerate it, it thrives on it. I use 3 pumps evening and mornings. I have combination skin so I don’t need a moisturiser. If my skin needs extra moisture I have lately opted for origins overnight moisturiser mask. In the morning I use avene’s skin tone perfector with spf 30 after applying this. My skin have fewer breakouts, almost no cystic acne anymore, and it is smooth and with less reactive redness.