So, you’re unhappy with your skin. It’s an all too familiar circumstance. But what, exactly, is the solution? Should you run to the store and buy every product that could possibly help? Or perhaps you’ll simply take to covering up your skin concerns with layers of makeup. In a perfect scenario, you’d know exactly what the issue is and be able to immediately put a targeted, personalized skincare routine into place. But that’s easier said than done. It can be a challenge to identify your skin problems and pinpoint why you’re experiencing them. The truth is, this sometimes requires calling in the experts. And that’s where Kiehl’s comes in.
We offer multiple options for identifying—and learning how to address—your skin concerns. These include a virtual tool as well as both in-person and online skincare consultations. Our goal is to take the guesswork out of caring for your skin by providing easy-to-access expert advice. Keep reading to learn all about the skincare help Kiehl’s has to offer.
How Do I Know What’s Wrong With My Skin?
Sometimes, you can look at your skin and easily identify what’s going on. There’s a smattering of blemishes across your chin or visible redness and blotchy spots on your cheeks. Others, you know there’s something to address but aren’t quite sure what you need to tackle. If looking in the mirror to suss out the problem isn’t cutting it, try a Kiehl’s skincare consultation or use our online tool that offers personalized skincare advice. Below, we’ll explain the ins and outs of each option. (Note: Our skincare advice doesn’t replace a dermatologist. For persistent skin problems or those causing you discomfort, we recommend visiting your doctor.)
Instant Skin Reader: Our Virtual Skincare Tool and Routine Finder
When you need answers fast, we suggest using our Instant Skin Reader tool. It quickly identifies skin concerns and provides you with product recommendations that can help get your skin back on track. Here’s how it works:
1. Upload a selfie.
Because this is a virtual tool, the best way for Kiehl’s to understand your skin is with a picture. Take a photo that gives a clear idea of what your skin really looks like. This means removing your makeup, pulling your hair back, and sporting a neutral expression on your face. You’ll also want to try to find good, natural lighting and take off your glasses (if you wear them). Once you snap the picture, upload it to the Instant Skin Reader.
2. Answer quick questions.
In addition to your selfie, you can give us a bit more context by answering simple questions about your age and skin type.
3. Rate your skin.
What happens next doesn’t require any lift from you; it’s all up to Kiehl’s. Your skin will be rated based on six dimensions: enlarged pores, uneven tone, skin dullness, lines and wrinkles, eye area concerns, and loss of firmness. For each of these, the tool will give you a rank out of 100. A higher number indicates it’s not an issue, while lower suggests it’s an opportunity.
4. Get your priorities straight.
Based on the rankings, you’ll be told your skin’s strengths, as well as two new skincare priorities to focus on. For each, you’ll learn more about why it may be affecting your skin.
Of course, knowing what you can improve is only half the battle, we also want to help with the “how.” So, our Instant Skin Reader puts together a routine to address your concerns. For example, someone with eye area concerns might be recommended Avocado Eye Cream to improve under-eye texture and offer all-day hydration. If you’re experiencing a loss of firmness, your routine could include Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum With Ceramides and Peptide, which firms skin, visibly reduces wrinkles, and minimizes the appearance of large pores.
Virtual Skincare Pros: Free Online Skincare Consultations
If you’d like to work directly with an expert (without even leaving the house), we have another option for you. Our Kiehl’s Skincare Pros will meet with you for a free, 30-minute virtual chat to discuss your skin and help find the right products for you. This is what you can expect from a healthy skin consultation:
1. Book the appointment.
First things first, you need to make an appointment for your 1:1 session. Skincare Pros are available to meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
In addition to finding a time that works for your schedule, when booking, you can choose a Skincare Pro that speaks English, Spanish, or Chinese.
As part of this set-up process, you’ll also share a bit of background about your skin. Answer three easy questions about your skin type, concerns, and lifestyle to get your Skincare Pro ready to meet with you.
2. Confirm your meeting.
Next, we’ll send a confirmation email with your booking details. Before the meeting, you’ll receive a link for joining the video call with your Kiehl’s Skincare Pro.
3. Attend your 30-minute consultation.
When it’s time for your appointment, you can click on that link and meet the expert. They’ll be able to help you with a wide-range of skincare topics, from understanding your skin type to learning about the benefits of different skincare ingredients. Plus, you’ll get product recommendations for upgrading your routine.
Kiehl’s Tip: Ahead of your appointment, jot down a few questions you want to ask, so you don’t forget.
In-Store Healthy Skin Consultation: Personalized, In-Person Skincare Help
Last but certainly not least, Kiehl’s offers in-person skincare consultations at our free-standing stores. These consultations are more comprehensive than what can be done online. You can book an appointment here. With that out of the way, here’s what you can gain from a consultation:
1. Learn about the health of your skin.
Not only do in-person consultations enable our experts to see what your skin really looks like, without concerns for camera quality, but they also allow for the use of our Healthy Skin Assessment tool. This handheld device has sensors for conducting different tests to better assess how healthy your skin is. It measures two dimensions of skin health: skin barrier strength and the level of hydration.
Skin barrier strength: Your skin barrier, for the uninitiated, serves as your skin’s first line of defense against the outside world. It protects your skin and helps maintain its moisture balance. Our diagnostic tool performs a strength test that measures trans-epidermal water loss (i.e. the amount of water that escapes from the surface of your skin). The stronger your barrier, the less water that escapes. If your barrier is weakened, it doesn’t only hold onto water as well as it should, it also allows free radicals and other damaging elements in, which may speed up the aging process.
Hydration: You can’t have healthy-looking skin without hydration. Not only would your skin be dehydrated, but it can also lead to uneven texture and a dull finish. To identify how well-hydrated your skin is, our Kiehl’s Skincare Pros use a corneometer, which emits a harmless current into the skin that bounces back with varying strength, depending on the amount of water in the cells.
2. Test and feel products.
One of the best parts about going into a Kiehl’s store is having the opportunity to really try the products out before you buy. Plus, free samples never hurt! Our Skincare Pros can also point you in the right direction as far as which formulas to try based on what you’ve learned about your skin. For someone with a weakened barrier, for instance, they might suggest Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum, which is clinically-demonstrated to double skin’s strength.*
*Based on a 4-week clinical study on 58 subjects tested in urban and polluted environments. Strength Index = Composite, average score of clinically graded parameters after using the product for four weeks vs one week of use.
If you’ve learned your skin is in need of hydration, you can test Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum, a formula with glycerin and our epidermal hydration filler. It visibly improves the appearance of dehydrated skin while also visibly reducing dullness and plumping skin.
Kiehl’s Tip: Your Skincare Pro can email you the results of your consultation and personalized recommendations right away, so you don’t forget all the important details.
