12 Kiehl's Skincare Products That You'll Actually Use

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

WHEN IT comes to men's grooming products, no skincare brand has held such prime real estate in my medicine cabinet as Kiehl's. While I've been using it since 2017, when I first started testing and reviewing skincare, the brand was famously founded in 1851 in New York City as an apothecary, and a gathering place for skincare aficionados. Almost two centuries later, and Kiehl's has become a stalwart grooming label, with rigorously-tested serums, moisturizers, and soaps that are especially formulated for men's mugs. No wonder Equinox has Kiehl's products stocked across all of its locker rooms, and our editors have showered it with countless Grooming Awards year after year. Dermatologists I've spoken to also co-sign Kiehl's skincare credentials.

"Kiehl’s makes skincare easy, which I find is what many of my patients are looking for," says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. "They've been around for decades, and have been known to work well on men's skin."

Read more: How Men's Health Tests Products

It's hard for newer grooming labels to compete with that kind of pedigree. And while Kiehl's has steadily expanded its roster of products in the past decade (think: Vitamin C serums and retinol night creams), the brand has kept its bestselling products mostly unchanged. And yeah, Kiehl's creams are much more expensive than most skincare kits that we recommend, but the brand's premium ingredients that deliver consistently handsome-improving results are worth the higher price tag. So if you're looking to become a Kiehl's guy yourself, here's a 101 on the best Kiehls' products I've tested over the past five years, as well as creams and soaps that dermatologists recommend.

Ultra Facial Cleanser

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser is one of its OG products, and also happens to be one of the best ones. I've been using it since 2018 as my go-to face soap, and I love its smooth formula that glides over my skin easily, and wipes away grime and dirt without drying my mug out. That's probably thanks to its gentle, hydrating ingredients like squalane and glycerin. Plus, I love how it doesn't have a fragrance, which also makes it ideal for guys with ultra sensitive skin.

Read more: Best Face Washes for Men

Creme de Corps Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter

Another classic, Kiehl's Creme de Corps is a fragrance-free body lotion that absorbs quickly, and hydrates skin without feeling thick or greasy. I've been using this since 2017, and love that it's lightweight-yet-still hydrating. I use it in the summer and winter, which I can't do for most lotions I've tested.

It's also a go-to lotion for Dr. Hartman. " It’s a rich crème formula with squalene, which helps to fortify the skin barrier, keeping hydration in the skin ... I’ve been using the product as needed for the last ten years."

Read more: Best Body Lotions for Men

Age Defender Cream Moisturizer

Our Grooming Editor Garret Munce has consistently given top marks to Kiehl's Age Defender line, since it has shown to improve the look of fine lines after two months of using it. Ditto with this cream moisturizer, which is loaded with salicylic acid, linseed extract, and caffeine in order to exfoliate, hydrate, and invigorate dull, tired skin.

Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin Laser, has been using this moisturizer since 2010. "It nourishes and cleanses the skin while targeting fine lines and winkles," says Brauer, who's based in New York City. "Its key ingredient– salicylic acid– prevents oil build up and improves complexion. The cream’s formula suits men’s oilier skin without leaving a greasy residue."

Read more: Best Anti-Aging Products for Men

Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser

Normally, I don't use scented body washes, but the grapefruit notes in Kiehl's tried-and-true soap is subtle and happens to smell pretty amazing. I started using this body cleanser in 2018, and I've been restocking it in my shower caddy ever since. I love how it offers a deep-cleaning experience that doesn't dry out my skin. Chalk it up to its ingredients. Aloe vera soothes and calm skin, while sodium PCA helps lock in moisture.

Read more: Best Body Washes for Men

Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is its marquee product. It's a deep, rich formula that's ultra hydrating (hence the name) without clogging your skin. I've been using it since 2019, and recently upgraded to the sunscreen version, which includes broad spectrum SPF 30. I love that it saves me a step in my summer skincare routine, and that it doesn't leave a white cast. I take this product with wherever I go.

Michigan-based dermatologist Mariana Atanasovski, M.D. also recommends this moisturizer for men particularly because it’s non greasy and has a fresh scent while protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.

Read more: Best Moisturizers for Men

Avocado Eye Cream

The beauty of Kiehl's products is that it keeps its ingredients simple. Take its bestselling eye cream, which contains avocado oil and shea butter, two hero ingredients that deliver deep hydration. I've been using this eye cream since 2019, and I love that it keeps my eye area moisturized all day. Its green tint helps offset the dark circles under my eyes, too.

Read more: Best Eye Creams for Men

Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum

Speaking of hero ingredients, Kiehl's relatively new serum is packed with Vitamin C, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. I used this when it first came out in 2021, and I've been using it every winter to help even my skin town and reduce fine lines. This is powerful stuff, so I wouldn't recommend it on sensitive skin. Also make sure to use SPF during the day.

Read more: Best Face Serums for Men

Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief

We gave this aftershave a 2021 Men's Health Grooming Award for Best Bump Treatment, and this formula still holds up today. We love its gentle exfoliating acids that help prevent ingrown hairs, without irritating our face. Plus, it's smooth and lightweight enough to use under an everyday moisturizer.

Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing 0.3% Retinol Night Serum

Retinol is a hero ingredient for aging skin, and Kiehl's new retinol serum is one of the best we've tested, so much so that we gave it a 2023 Men's Health Grooming Award. "While it’s not for the newbie, this potent formula is unmatched in how quickly the skin-smoothing, wrinkle-reducing effects of retinol are noticeable," says Grooming Editor Garrett Munce. "A few drops at night are all you need for big results."

“Ultimate Man” Body Scrub Soap

Body scrubs come especially useful during the summer as a thorough way to remove sunscreen, dead skin cells, and skin build-up that needs some TLC. But it's hard to find a scrub that you can use regularly (some can be too harsh). That's why we love this one from Kiehl's.

"It's an amazing body scrub if you’ve got durable skin," says Dr. Bradley Glodny, a board-certified dermatologist. "This intense exfoliating soap helps to slough off dead skin, cleanse and refresh your skin barrier. It also has a nice masculine scent, contains oatmeal and bran for a strong but soothing effect. Men love it because we typically have hardier and thicker skin therefore, they can tolerate a nice exfoliating scrub like this bar of soap provides."

Body Fuel Antiperspirant & Deodorant

You may not no this, but Kiehl's also makes a great deodorant. This one also doubles as an antiperspirant, and contains caffeine and zinc to keep pits fresh and dry. It's a go-to product for Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology.

Read more: Best Deodorants for Men

Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask

"The kaolin and bentonite clay in this mask help draw impurities out of the skin to minimize the appearance of pores and blackheads," says Dr. Camp. In other words, it's a gentle but still thorough way to cleanse your pores.

You Might Also Like

• The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now

• 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein