I Test Skincare for a Living, But I’ve Used the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for 5 Years Straight

As a beauty editor, my relationship with skincare is far from monogamous. It’s my literal job to be constantly testing new serums, toners, masks, and treatments, which means even products I genuinely love can get pushed aside when the latest launch lands. But there is one little white tub that has somehow survived—no, thrived—throughout every product stash clean-out since 2021: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I have no fewer than three jars of it stashed away in my drawers at all times (right now I have... six), I have converted my boyfriend to a loyal user and I have relied on this seemingly unassuming face cream through every season, whether it brings unexpected cold snaps or humid spells.I first tried the moisturizer when my best friend gave it to me as a birthday gift back in May 2021. The world was slowly starting to open back up but was still oh-so different than it is today. I, like pretty much everyone else, had been spending an unreasonable amount of time at home and paying significantly more attention to my skincare routine. At that point, I had also been spending most of my time in Massachusetts, which, as someone originally from sunny southern California, meant that I was dealing with much drier, harsher winters—and therefore more dry, chapped skin—than I was used to. Hence, the need for some moisturizer exploration. What started as just another product in my routine gradually became the face cream I can always rely on. I’ve kept a jar (or six) around ever since.I’ve probably had thousands of products come across my desk, and I’ve tried more of them than I can count. But besides my Ultra Facial Cream, there’s only one other moisturizer that’s stayed in my rotation this long (but that’s a story for another time). Some of these other creams are richer, some contain buzzy ingredients, or come in trendy packaging, yet whenever my skin is dry, irritated, unbalanced, or my barrier is just unhappy, I know I can always trust my Ultra Facial Cream to get things back on track.So, consider this my five-year review of my all-time favorite rich moisturizer, timed perfectly to the product’s 20th birthday (it first launched in 2006). I’ve worn it through international travel and long-haul flights, layered it underneath countless makeup products, and temporarily abandoned it for shiny new creams—only to come crawling back. Here’s why.Catharine Malzahn for CosmopolitanAbout Kiehl’s Ultra Facial CreamPeople are constantly asking me about products that I’m excited about, and honestly, I almost always go back to the same answer... When it comes to everyday items, especially skincare, the thing that excites me most is when it’s a solid, trusty formula that works day in and day out. A boring answer? Maybe, but hey, sometimes I just want my products to work more than I want them to be buzzy or cute! And Ultra Facial Cream fits the bill perfectly. Yes, this is a very basic skincare product—that’s part of its appeal. It’s a straightforward daily moisturizer designed to hydrate skin and support its moisture barrier, with a fragrance-free formula that can be used morning and night. (I primarily use it before bed.) Plus, it’s designed for all skin types, including sensitive.The formula centers on sugarcane-derived squalane, a lightweight oil that keeps skin soft and supple. That squalane works alongside glacial glycoprotein and pro-ceramides, which hydrate and maintain the skin’s barrier. Rather than squeezing a bunch of actives into a jar, it’s focused on straight-up moisture, which is great news for my dry skin. This also means it pairs well with the retinols, acids, and acne treatments I may be testing at any given point.How I Use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial CreamGood news: There really isn’t much of a learning curve here. Like I mentioned, the beauty of this moisturizer is its simplicity. After cleansing and applying any toners or serums, I smooth a small amount on my face and neck. Though I usually only use it at night, if I do reach for it in the daytime, it’s my final step before sunscreen.Because the texture falls somewhere between a lightweight lotion and a richer cream, I’ve also been able to adjust how much I use depending on what my skin needs. I usually opt for about three dime-sized dollops, which takes care of my face and neck, but I’ll go for up to five in the depths of winter.On the occasions I do wear it during the day, it layers super well for me, regardless of which face SPF, tinted moisturizer, or foundation I’m using on top. In my experience, there’s no need to worry about greasiness, pilling, or patchiness.Catharine Malzahn for CosmopolitanMy reviewHere’s the thing I want to reiterate about Ultra Facial Cream: It hasn’t really left my skincare routine in half a decade. Sure, I’ve taken brief breaks when testing other moisturizers, but I always come back to this one. It’s kind of like my skincare security blanket. Meanwhile, I’ve swapped in other serums and toners countless times over the years because it is quite literally my job. When it comes to moisturizers, though, I’ll get excited about a new one, use it for a couple weeks, and then realize it’s not as hydrating as Kiehl’s or doesn’t have as nice of a texture.Speaking of the texture, that’s another reason it’s stuck around. I don’t find it overwhelmingly thick or greasy; rather, it’s cushiony and silky on my skin, it absorbs quickly, and leaves my face looking super radiant and much more alive immediately.And of course, let’s not forget about how my skin looks over time. Softer, plumper, glowier, less flaky, more hydrated... all phrases I’d use to describe my skin after days of consistent use. That may sound less exciting than some of the dramatic claims attached to newer skincare launches, but after years of testing products, I’ve learned there’s something to be said for having a product that’s simple enough to set the stage for everything else (like makeup) to come.Catharine Malzahn for CosmopolitanProsIt’s genuinely moisturizing without feeling overly heavy. I can wear it all year-round without any greasiness or clogged pores, and it makes my skin feel and look dewy immediately. When I apply it at night, my skin feels noticeably more moisturized the next morning.It plays nicely with the rest of my routine. Because it isn’t trying to function as my exfoliant, retinoid, brightener, and moisturizer all at once, I can pair it with my retinol or exfoliating acids.It’s reliable. This is harder to quantify but arguably the most important benefit to me after five years. It’s stuck by me through some wild hormonal breakouts (like, cysts all over my face), extremely dry skin during my first winter living in New York, and sensitive post-procedure skin. When my skin is unhappy, all I do is wash my face with a gentle cleanser, apply my Ultra Facial Cream, and take out every other step from my routine—after just a few days, I’m back and better than ever.A little goes a long way. Sure, I have a stockpile of jars of this moisturizer that could rival a Sephora, but a standard-sized jar usually lasts me up to six months. If I’m doing the math correctly, I’m all set for the next three years...ConsIt isn’t an active-heavy treatment cream. If you want your moisturizer to also tackle hyperpigmentation, exfoliation, acne, or more advanced signs of aging, you’ll likely need separate treatments. I’d recommend finding targeted serums to treat those concerns and apply this on top of them to seal in moisture. However, there are other versions of Ultra Facial Cream that include SPF.She’s pricey. At $39, we’re certainly not looking at drugstore prices here. But it lasts so long and it’s such an ol’ reliable for me, that I think it’s well worth the money.I’m not the biggest fan of the jar packaging. This is nitpicky, but I prefer a moisturizer to come out of a tube or bottle, so I’m not constantly sticking my fingers into the jar and getting product under my nails or (probably more importantly) inadvertently putting germs into the jar. I just find it less hygienic and less convenient.Final verdictFive years is a long time to keep any beauty product around—especially when trying new ones is part of your job. Anytime I’ve temporarily replaced Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with other moisturizers, I’m immediately annoyed, wonder why I bothered, and go right back. Sure, there may be other nighttime moisturizers I’ll test and fall in love with, but for now, another jar of Ultra Facial Cream always finds its way into my routine.More Kiehl’s products I loveThis super gentle cleanser gets off the day’s gunk without stripping my skin and leaving it feeling totally dry.Okay, so I love pretty much this entire line from Kiehl’s! I combine this and my Ultra Facial Cream when my skin is extremely dry in the winter or when my skin barrier is out of whack after trying too many actives.With coconut oil and mango butter, this lip treatment feels like luxury in a little jar. I slather it on at night and wake up with a smooth, soft pout.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo. She’s covered all things skincare and has tested hundreds of products, from serums to moisturizers. She has used several Kiehl’s products for the better part of a decade.Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.