Week three reportback of the 28-day Kiehl’s #ChangeYourSkin challenge

July 1, 2013

So we’re almost three weeks into our Kiehl’s #ChangeYourSkin challenge with Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, so we thought we’d report back here. To see previous posts (and our before pics) , click here and here.

I caught up with some of my five trialists to find out how they’re finding the product, plus I have an update too. I must say that one of the things I’ve loved most about this challenge is chatting to the trialists via email and Twitter – they’ve been supportive, chatty and awesome. It’s like we’re holding each others’ hands with each breakout, undereye circle, and success.

Tamarin du Toit breaks it down week by week:

Week 1: Very disbelieving. The lower half of my face had quite a few breakouts that were very red and angry looking. It got so bad that I considered giving up on the challenge, but I stuck with it in the hopes that serious improvement would follow.

Week 2: Beginning to breathe a sigh of relief as my skin is clearing up from Week 1. Not back to normal yet, but much better with a few isolated spots remaining in the chin area. The Joburg winter dryness is not affecting my face anymore, the rest of my body however is feeling it! Really trying to be hopeful that the nagging isolated spots will be cleared in the coming week…

Week 3: No noticeable difference from the previous week. Still hopeful that by the end of the challenge I can describe my skin as being dewy and fresh or something similarly amazing.

The product smells nice, but I’m still having a hard time adjusting to the method of application. I’ve never been a person who lightly dabs at my skin – I like rubbing things in to make sure I feel that my skin has been moisturised or properly absorbed. For the first few nights I couldn’t help but rub, but it just resulted in rolling little balls of face cream off my face. Not advised!

Sam Curley-Young has moved house and had a sick child in hospital but has been an absolute trooper in applying her MRC, and updating us.

“On the first night I used only three drops – I loved the aroma of the product and felt it wasn’t really enough, so second night I used five drops and it was too much. Now I use three or four drops and I find it spreads well and absorbs nicely. I love the aroma (cannot say this enough I’m very nose sensitive so really think the smell is divine!).

I broke out about five days in but am not 100% sure that it was due to the product as it could have been stress related – been moving house and had a sick kid… so am not directly relating it to the product. Also break out was in my normal stress zone… so more likely to be stress related.

I found that my oil production during the day seems to be more under control than before. I also like to think that my crows feet are not looking as prominent. I must admit my skin feels “fresher” in the mornings and the one night I missed (was staying in hospital so forgot to take it with) I woke the next morning with my skin feeling quite tight and “tired”.

I’m not sure that it’s doing the level of miracles I was expecting (hahaha, they were kinda high!) but I am pleased with the results so far.”

Belinda Mountain seems to have had the most glowing results.

“I’ve loved using this product and can honestly say that I have seen a result. My skin appears softer and younger and someone even told me I was “glowing”. I’ve never been told that having a good skin was an asset of mine and new friends (who didn’t know I was using anything special) commented on my “great skin” particularly.

I love the smell and the texture. At first I patted the 2 or 3 drops quite vigorously into my hands, but I felt that none was making it onto my face this way! I then adjusted my technique but still find it a bit odd. Would prefer something you rub more generously directly on to the face.”

Lauren Prior doesn’t see results, but I think her picture tells a different story

I also battle with the application method – it feels kind of silly to try pat and things oil on, but I guess the whole “dab, not drag” method is what’s supposed to be better for absorption. I don’t feel like it sinks in particularly quickly – so have also decreased the number of drops I use to a max of four.

My skin does feel soft, but not noticeably softer than usual I don’t think. I haven’t really had any breakouts that I could relate to the product thank goodness, nor has there been any redness or anything like that. To be completely honest I haven’t really noticed any difference whatsoever.

Me, with high expectations and moderate results

I’m very impatient with products, so it’s been an exercise in waiting and endurance to see the results. Usually if I don’t see results in a week, I stop using the product (which might explain why I don’t see results with many things).

I love using the product each night – it doesn’t feel like a “chore”, and it’s quite pampering applying it. Each morning I have looked at my skin first thing, and for the first two weeks I noticed the same uneven skin tones, pigmentation and general “blah”.

But after about two and a half weeks I’ve noticed my skin looks a little more refreshed and healthier, even though I am sleeping less and probably drinking less water than usual (apparently these do make a difference to your skin). The pigmentation is still there, and in all fairness, this product doesn’t promise to get rid of it.

I’m still hoping for more results by the end of the 28 days.