Rated 4.48 out of 5 stars
846 Reviews
I think I may have passed my window of opportunity with this product. My 57 year old face must have too many deep seated wisdom lines to make a noticeable difference. I may have lost some fine lines during my 30 days of consistent use. Perhaps a better product for those less weathered as myself.
I will start yhis review stating I had an extensive skin care regimine before receiving this sample. It consists of multiple steps including a retinol from a competitor so I am used to using one and use it every night. Starting with the component, the fact that the retinol powder is totally separate from the activating liquid is quite cool and probably guarantees a longer shelf life until combined. I did feel that the instructions foe combination could have been a bit more clearer but i eventually figured it out but also felt there was quite a bit of product wasted in the powder component once combined. It does have a glass bottle with a rubber pump on the bottom for easy application. I feel the button is unnecessary because when you do open the bottle the product pours out without having to use the button, which causes more than the recommended pea sized amount to spill out. The product it's self is the normal pale yellow color for retinol but is quite gritty even weeks after combining and shaking before each use. As previously stated I am used to using retinol so I went into using this product every night as my skin is used to it. Once the product is worked into the skin the grittiness melts away and leaves a beautiful glow to the skin. I love how easily it does melt into the skin and it does not leave a sticky finish. It pairs well with my current dermoligica and the ordinary products. I used this product almost every night for about 3 weeks but unfortunately I can't say that it made a significant difference but that could be because I already use a retinol Serum in my skin care routine. Do I recommend using a retinol yes can I say I recommend this one over the one I currently use....only for the price difference no.
2
Makalu from Urbandale, IA
The serum itself is fine - it seems to work for me (when I remember to use it). However, when I tried to use it today, the dispenser "button" fell into the serum and I nearly dropped the bottle, losing half of the serum in the process. Now the seal won't fit properly, so I transferred what was left of the serum to a smaller jar I had on hand. Serum this expensive should not be offered in a bottle so flawed.
4
Emily the orca from Sunnyvale, CA
The texture is watery and the packaging really reserves the freshness of retinol. Only complaint is that the rubber cap can break after some time
1
NormanG from New York, NY
After several weeks of using daily have not noticed any improvement in my wrinkles or dark spots
Ekoulk from Brooklyn NY
I cannot even begin to tell how mad this product made me feel. Whoever came up with the packaging idea should be fired! Upon following all the instructions the product does not dispense properly, so to use it I have to open the bottom side. Ridiculous!
3
Melnew from Seattle, WA
I really love this retinol and how my skin looks after many weeks of use, but my god the smell. It's just terrible. It smells like I'm rubbing rancid butter on my face. I have to hold my breath. I'll use the bottle because it really does work, but I'm not sure I can repurchase.
5
JGOJCAJ from undisclosed
On my third bottle, this is awesome. Use it every night and over the course of four months I've been able to see massive results. Retinol is a must have as you get older. Small amounts spread easy and each bottle lasts me at least two months.
AZ71 from Arizona
This product was just blah to me. I only had a sample so after just the 3-4 days of using it I saw no noticeable effect. The smell was fine and the consistency was fine I guess. But there wasn't anything about this product that would make me want to buy it again.
Leyla from undisclosed
I love this product. I used it for almost a month and see so much difference.
Jay Skinner from Minneapolis MN
I'm a longtime Kiehl's fan; I like or love everything I've bought from them. Until now. I've used this serum for about five weeks now (ever since my dermatologist recommended I switch from a 0.1% product to a 0.3% one), and the only changes I have seen are some serious breakouts that I haven't ever had before. I've experienced none of the benefits touted on the website. I won't buy this again, and I recommend that you not buy it either.
Yasmin M from undisclosed
The mixing process requires extreme caution. I accidentally flipped over the bottle while working on getting the remaining product off the powder lid capsule since a great amount was left in the lid to be disposed and I didn't want to waste it, ended up wasting half of bottle because I spilled serum everywhere, I tried to collect the liquid off my sink and put it back in the bottle because I couldn't go buy another one (price) but now I don't know if I should use it because it might be contaminated.
Alison Long Island from undisclosed
I read the other reviews about the mixing and was careful when I followed the directions. It was fine. Been using the product for a few weeks now and already have seen a difference in the lines on my forehead and between my brows. Everything just looks softer. Very happy with this product!
tdg111 from Arkansas
I wish I would have bought this sooner! Product does exactly what it says!!
Bzny from New York, NY
I like the serum, but after a few uses it won't dispense by pushing the black rubber on the bottom. I actually have to unscrew the bottom cap to dip my finger in to use it. Disappointed. I like everything kiels but this isn't it. Wanted to repurchase, but too Expensive for it not to work the way it's supposed to
Trish63 from undisclosed
I can't get it out of the bottle - no matter how hard I shake it and the bottle can't be squeezed. I just lost half the contents opening the bottom cap and not thinking it through properly. How should it be dispensed?
LReed from Portland
Pleasantly surprised! I have sensitive skin and have been using the lower dose retinol for a couple of years. I upped to this recently and really like it! I have had no noticeable reaction and my skin does feel much softer and smoother! I'd recommend it.
AW94 from Los Angeles, CA
The dispensing cap did not release all the retinol powder because the seal isn't easily broken. Even after shaking, I lost a lot of powder and serum when putting the replacement cap back on. This was an expensive product for me that I decided to try for the first time. There really needs to be a better instruction video posted. This is a partial loss and big disappointment.
Ant1987 from undisclosed
Had high hopes for this product after reading positive reviews. The efficacious of the product was sub par. After using the product as directed, I do not notice any significant reduction in lines around my eyes, forehead or glabella area. . A bit disappointed.
Meky from undisclosed
I'm on my second bottle and waiting to see some changes or improvements in my skin. The only cons about this product is the way it has to be mixed is a bit messy and it's a bit drying afterwards.
PhxSun from undisclosed
Can't really give you any insight into the effectiveness of the product because even when carefully following package instructions and watching video how to mix product it did not mix properly. Ended up with a big mess. Easy return process and prompt refund.
Barb H from undisclosed
The product is fine but the delivery system stinks. The button on the bottom of the bottle collapsed on the second use. Now to use it I have to open the bottle, not good
JS from NJ, USA
I LOVE Kiehls products and have been using them for years, so decided to try this during Black Friday on sale. It is the only Kiehls product I can honestly say I hate everything about. Here is why 1. The product comes with a powder capsule type thing you need to twist into the bottle, then shake. It's annoying and if you don't do it exactly correctly, it can easily spill. 2. Product is very runny/liquidy, so you need to rush to put it on after dispersing. To disperse, there's a button on bottom which is kind of hard to control how Much product you get. 3. Before this, I was using a 1% retinol.. something MUch stronger. Once my skin acclimated to it, I never had any dryness / reaction to using retinol. This product dried my skin to a damaging level.. literally created dry, red patches all over which created wrinkly looking skin. I even cut out other products to see if maybe it was something else, but it was absolutely this as I'd take a break then notice this red dryness the day after using it always. I know retinols create a "purge" usually, but I'd been religiously using a much stronger one for over a year, so don't think this formula Should've caused such an extreme reaction. Sticking with Kiehls for other products but this one is going on the trash :(
Chanel Bella Royalty from undisclosed
I'm really enjoying the texture of my skin with this product.
Kasia Swid from Andover NJ
My face was a little dry for a couple of days, but after that, I have amazing results . My face is smooth and flawless
Dorene12 from NH
If you have sensitive skin, please avoid this product
Jay jay from Pennsylvania
Hard to open - and because of that serum spilled everywhere and I lost half of it. So expensive and lost basically all of it. So bummed