Kiehls • Rosa Arctica Cream • Moisturizers

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*TOP REVIEWER* sprite26 on 4/30/2013 4:40:00 AM more reviews by sprite26

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I feel like this is Kiehls' answer to La Mer. It has a super-rich and thick consistency, provides extreme healing and hydration, and it's also quite expensive (although only a fraction of CDLM's price). I only use this as a night cream as it's far too thick for day use. Now I don't think this cream is up there with La Mer, but honestly it's almost just as good. It calms down any irritation I might be dealing with (especially around my nostrils during cold & flu season) and it hydrates my skin like crazy. Plus it's not too heavy for my combo/oily skin. One of Kiehl's best- a definite repurchase!

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Annyutka on 3/11/2013 12:58:00 PM more reviews by Annyutka

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

You must emulsify this first and then apply to the face. This is key.
Although this is a heavy cream, it somehow absorbs very well on my skin and does keep it really hydrated. Also, it is nonirritating to my rather sensitive skin and makes my face feel soooo soft. I love all that.
However,here's what I don't love about it:
It broke me out on my chin (a real awful one too) and in one other place where I never have even had a breakout before. FYI, I've never suffered from acne and don't normally have blemish issues and naturally have tiny pores. I think it has to do with glycerin in the 2nd ingredient (or 3rd? can't remember), which can be clogging for some people.
I'd give 4 stars if it weren't for the zit(s). Other than that, a fantastic cream if you have really dry skin, live in a desert/very dry climate, and want something that doesn't need constant reapplying (it stays put like woah!).
I'm on the fence about whether I'd buy this again or not... I put in YES since I know I'm not absolute on NOT buying it, so yea, we'll have to see I guess..

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*TOP REVIEWER* Jaimee on 11/18/2012 10:00:00 AM more reviews by Jaimee

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is a very heavy cream that ironically doesn't do much for hydration. It has a weird scent. You have to emulsify it between your fingers. After a few weeks of use, my skin didn't look any better or more hydrated. I will take a pass on this one.

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moody on 11/8/2012 1:23:00 AM more reviews by moody

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I don't like kiehls moisturizers. The ultra facial moisturizer sits on top of my skin and makes it feel suffocated and greasy. That said, I LOVE this cream. It's thick but it penetrates and leaves a soft finish without a heavy film. If you over apply it will feel gross so be careful to warm up only a small amount before patting it on. It really seals in moisture, doesn't cause breakouts like other kiehls products and has a comforting soft almost unscented smell.

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shandwork on 8/28/2012 9:11:00 PM more reviews by shandwork

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Very soothing for sensitive, dry mature skin. Not irritating to my rosacea. Love it and will repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hawko on 7/19/2012 11:44:00 AM more reviews by Hawko

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I am into my second jar, definitely I don't buy into this Artic Rose snake oil story, but it is a good moisturizer that "seals" the skin, thus prevent further moisture loss. When I have the time, I applied a lighter or a heavier dose of whatever serum, wait 10 minutes & "press" this cream on to seal.
Will buy again, until something even better comes up.

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stonmad on 7/9/2012 3:02:00 AM more reviews by stonmad

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Softened my skin but I was allergic so it burned and turned my skin red where I applied it. Luckily, it was a sample and the packaging is beautiful.

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dainty77 on 6/30/2012 10:32:00 PM more reviews by dainty77

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I purchased this cream about a week ago, and did as the saleslady told me, warmed the cream in between my fingertips. I applied it to my clean face using only my ring and middle fingers, ever so slightly patting it in. Before this, I had applied their Midnight Recovery Serum, and the cream was extremely moisturizing. The next morning, my skin was very supple and glowing.

One more thing, it is moisturizing, but NOT greasy!

Great product by Kiehl's! I use it as a night cream.

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*TOP REVIEWER* theluscioushellcat on 2/18/2012 12:10:00 PM more reviews by theluscioushellcat

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I picked this up along with the Midnight Recovery Essential Oil. The rich thick texture appeals to me because I have basically dry skin (except on my chin, sigh) and live in Colorado where it's quite dry. Sometimes I'll pamper my face when I'm going to be home all Saturday doing house stuff and lazing around, or if I wash my face after coming home from work. I cleanse and exfoliate, then mix a generous dab of this, a pea-sized blob of Help Me from Philosophy, and the Midnight Recovery Essential Oil in my palm and spread over my face and neck. I would not put this on immediately before bed because it takes a while to absorb, and you don't want the product on the pillow. The result is that my skin looks and feels smoother, softer, more radiant, and my big forehead line is minimized. I'm 51 now (wow, how time flies) and nobody has ever guessed my true age. I am blessed with good skin (I never sunbathed) but I have to work at it. This is an investment that is paying off in how my skin looks and feels.

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missparker1013 on 2/10/2012 7:40:00 PM more reviews by missparker1013

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

While I do feel that this product softens some of my fine lines around my eyes, I also feel that it leaves a greasy (almost sticky) film on my face. I do try to warm the product up in my hands before I apply it onto my bare face, but even so, it's just not the right product for my oily-combo skin. There's a huge sheen on my face by the first hour of wear. For such a steep price tag, I do expect more. I won't be re-investing in this product.

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nrome on 2/6/2012 12:02:00 PM more reviews by nrome

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Have been searching for decades for a great all-purpose cream (anti-aging benefits would be nice, but not an absolute deal-killer) - and this is the best thing I've ever found - EVER. I use a couple of things from my derm (a serum which I like - Skinmedica - and love my little Biologique Rechercher routine, but this is the only thing I've found to keep me from drying out in the winter (I'm outside a lot and I travel and am in drying places like NYC). It's heavy, so you have to treat it as everyone says, like CDLM, but it's MUCH nicer, better, more effective. I'm mid-50s, but my skin's never looked better and when I don't use any of the stuff I mentioned above (often I have no time for "routines") - this is the one thing I use - and the results are superb. TRY IT. I don't know if it has incredibly sophisticated anti-aging properties -- but it might. I think it's possible that my crow's feet are a bit less obvious - who knows? But it's superb and better than all the creams I've tried which cost four times what this one does.... Kiehl's is coming out with a Rosa Arctica eye cream in the next couple of months - so said a salesperson in one of their shops. I'll be curious to see how this does in the summer - probably one would just use less....

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Vikilu on 1/9/2012 10:14:00 PM more reviews by Vikilu

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this cream after a consultant at a Kiehl's store recommended it as a neck cream. It is very thick and I have to warm it up between my fingers first. After it has been softened, it just glides on my neck. It has greatly improved those deep rings on my neck. I have tried to use it on my face as well, but my nose just can't tolerate the scent of the cream. It smells like shea butter. And whenever I used this cream at night, I would wake up with large pores on my face. So I guess I will only use it as a neck cream.

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AsianDiva123 on 12/22/2011 3:04:00 AM more reviews by AsianDiva123

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this cream for over 2 weeks. I love and love it. Mind you I have dry cheeks and live in cold weather. The morning after I used it for the first time, I looked at the mirror and thought "oh did I put foundation on already???" This cream does work that great for me. I've been loving my complexion the past few weeks. The texture is very similar to La Mer. You also need to warm it with your fingers but you can rub it on (instead of pressing it on like LM). The price of course is way cheaper than LM and works way better IMO. The key is warm it up with fingers first and don't slap a big chunk on your face. I wouldn't recommend to anyone with oilier skin though. It would be too heavy. Will definitely buy again!

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taipai on 12/20/2011 12:28:00 AM more reviews by taipai

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

I tried this product, its ok, it seems to moisturize, but it feels like it stays atop your skin. I personally do not like the film feeling, but aside from that i guess its ok once you warm it up. Nothing special.

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michellesulli on 12/11/2011 10:51:00 AM more reviews by michellesulli

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Other    

Perfect for those of us approaching 50 and on Retin A or Tazorac. Great cream for the cold and dry East Coast winter. Hydrates, firms, plumps up fine lines, soothes. Comparatively reasonably priced.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SuburbanSue on 11/30/2011 2:55:00 AM more reviews by SuburbanSue

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

Given the price of this cream and how silly the claims sound ("youth regeneration flower?" really?), I didn't even really want to try it. I figured it would be another overpriced, do-nothing face cream full of false promises. But there I was in the Kiehl's store a few weeks ago, with an enthusiastic sales associate touting the benefits of this, and many other, Kiehl's products. I had only stopped in to pick up some lip balm, but I left with a bag full of samples, including Rosa Arctica.

The SA told me to rub the cream between my fingers to liquefy it a bit before application. The cream is thick, almost the consistency of Creme de la Mer, so this seemed reasonable. I applied it to my face and initially thought, "What's the big deal?" It didn't seem to be absorbing easily; it didn't even seem all that moist. However, after a few minutes, it was absorbed completely and my skin was left with a moist (although not dewy) feeling.

In the morning, I woke up to skin that looked fresh, even, plump and -- almost -- glowing. I was not expecting that at all. I have odd skin -- it's kind of dry, yet I have mild rosacea on my cheeks and I still break out from time to time. It's not easy to find a product that will moisturize without aggravating the rosacea or making me break out, and it's even more difficult to find a moisturizer that does that along with providing some type of cell turnover/skin texture improvement. I have used Rosa Arctica about a half dozen times now just to make sure my results were not a fluke. And yes, each night I use it I wake up with smooth, lovely skin.

If you have dry skin, or easily irritated skin that can handle a heavier moisturizer, you may want to check this out. I really like how this product moisturizes without making my face feel greased up. I will need to buy a full size jar of this when my sample runs out. But instead of complaining about the cost, I'll just try to be glad I found something that works so well.

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TheEmpress on 11/16/2011 2:24:00 PM more reviews by TheEmpress

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Update : I really love Kiehls body lotions and scrubs but unfortunately their facial products just don't work for me. After trying many of them it looks like I'm on the hunt again for a daytime moisturizer, because this is not it. It seems to make me oily within an hour or two. Also seem to make my pours a little larger.

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sunmumsie on 10/10/2011 12:50:00 AM more reviews by sunmumsie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Dry, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this product because I traveled to a desert environment and forgot to pack my moisturizer. Bad mistake! I have very sensitive, dry skin and when I travel even the dry airplane air makes my skin peel. Five hours after arriving, my skin was dry, peely and terribly red, so I went to the shopping center attached to the hotel, hoping I'd find something that would get me through the weekend. Kiehls was the only skincare store available. The saleslady and I sorted thru all the options and we finally settled on the Rosa Artica. I was a bit nervous about the price but was assured I could return it if it irritated my skin. And to be honest, everything irritates my skin!

I had very little expectation, pretty much hoping to find a cream that didn't sting and hopefully moisturized a tiny bit. Instead I found a wonder cream. Even my husband remarked several times how incredible my skin looked afterwards. The cream is heavy and needs to be warmed between the fingers to make it spreadable. There are no added scents or parabens, which is a plus. The moisturizing effects are marvelous. If you don't have dry skin, this may be too much. But for dehydrated or agine skin, it's a godsend, rejeuvenating it and lessening fine lines and crepiness. An application lasts me all day and then I apply again before bed after makeup removal. It's expensive ($60) so I would ask for a sample. The price is high but for difficult skin like mine, it's worth it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* frootloop75 on 10/1/2011 4:41:00 AM more reviews by frootloop75

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I bought Rosa Arctica on a whim because I was at Neiman's in Hawaii and was curious to try what was then an exclusive to the store. My understanding is that the cream is going to arrive in Australia soon. Thank goodness.

Pros:
- an excellent day cream that provides all day moisture for drier skins
- fragrance free
- can be used under tinted moisturizer etc.

Cons:
- it is quite thick and requires a bit of work to get it to absorb into the skin
- it doesn't have SPF in it.

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bluestlight on 8/17/2011 12:38:00 AM more reviews by bluestlight

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Ok- Here is the scoop. I am a licensed esthetician and I also work with the Kiehl's brand..but I still can speak my mind and speak honestly about my thoughts on this product.

I am really in love with most Kiehl's products (the new Oil Free Ultra Facial, Abyssine eye cream/ Avocado, Midnight Recovery, Vit C serum.. just to name a few) This product, for Kiehls, IS a little gimmicky (with that I agree). YOUTH REGENERATED the marketing says. Made with a RARE REGENERATION FLOWER!! My marketing says if the customer loves La Mer, or Lacome Resolution cream, they will love this!

Cocoa and Shea are some of the main hydrators ( Hence why you need to thourghly WARM this product for about a good 20-30 secs, about a dime size, in your fingertips, to EMULSIFY the ingredients so they penetrate.) Putting this cream on out of the jar will provide a greasy feeling that wont ever, asborb.

Glycerin is in there too, for water retaining properties and slip. It also has glycolic acid, to help ingredients penetrate better, not enough to exfoliate the skin. It has some decent antioxidants, and of course, the rare regeration flower, which ultimately provides antioxidant protection and boosts cell renewal.

The product does have the ability to DEEPLY hydrate, make your skin hold moisture BETTER, Make the skin feel firmer, denser, and a little thicker. It can soften(not magically disappear) fine lines and wrinkles. I do think for the Mature customer, with drier skin, this is a great option. For the BREAKOUT prone- DO NOT USE. For the extremely sensitive, DO NOT USE. A normal/dry skin type will benefit.

Its not a miracle in a jar, but if your a Kiehl's fan, its worth trying. I do wish they started making products more in a tube, or pump, to keep freshness longer. Its on the pricey side, for Kiehl's anyway, not in the realm of these $200 creams!!(which are JUST as gimicky..)

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