The Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydrating Mask was launched some time last year. I’ll tell you that I rather liked it. But I couldn’t tell you about it earlier, because my last experience with something I enjoyed from Kiehl’s didn’t have a happy ending. I told myself then, that I’d give all new releases from Kiehl’s 6 months, just in case they change their mind.
Well, more than 6 months have passed and the Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydrating Mask is still around, so I guess it’s safe to talk about it now LOL!
This joins Kiehl’s’ mask wardrobe, offering a hydration boost to skin. I enjoyed using the other versions of the Kiehl’s masks, and I was wondering if I might like this one too.
When Kiehl’s launched it, they tried to sell me the idea of multi-masking, by applying different masks on different parts of the face. It isn’t a new concept, as people have been doing it for a while. For some reason, it amuses people to have different coloured masks on different parts of the face. However, I never bought into that technique.
I multi-mask. But I do so, one after another. A clay mask, or a peel type mask, followed by a soothing and hydrating mask. I feel that I derive the most benefit this way, rather than only treating one part of my face at any one time. But that’s me! Onto this mask 🙂
This feels a lot like any regular gel mask, and it is.
The clear yellow gel is infused with strands of calendula flower petals. Calendula extracts are known to soothe skin. Aloe Vera on the other hand, is well known to hydrate and sooth. On paper therefore, this looks like quite a winning combination.
For me, the Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydrating Mask is pretty much a hydrating mask. If you think of your gel moisturiser and how you can use it as a sleeping mask or as a quick mask, this feels similar. I will have to point out here, that during the media launch, I did ask if I could use this as a sleeping mask. The answerwas that it wasn’t recommended. Have I tried it? No, I actually haven’t because I now eschew sleeping masks of this texture, preferring something heavier 🙂 If you have tried it, let me know if it works, or if your face will fall off LOL! 😀
I usually use this after a more intensive mask, but I do find that it isn’t as soothing as say the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask. This one feels a lot more like just a hydration mask. I do find that I don’t need to use too thick a layer on my skin. It has a nice cooling gel feel on my skin.
It will not dry fully, and will feel tacky. Perhaps that’s why it won’t make such a good sleeping mask, unless you fancy washing your pillow case the next morning.
I also find that it can be hard to wash off, because it feels like dried jelly on your skin. If you use warm water and rub slowly, it will eventually wash off. But I have no patience. So I always use a sponge to clean it off. It’s just quicker.
Once I wash it off, I find that my skin feels noticeably smoother, with a bit of boing to it. Does it last? Well, about as long as the effects of most masks. It’s … nice.
Is it something I’d recommend? Well, yes if you are in the market for a hydration mask that is pretty effective. Is it something exceptional? Well, not particularly. I’m sure there are similar gel-type hydration masks out there.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydrating Mask is a gel-type mask that comes in a tub. It’s quite a large tub that can last a while. The gel has a slightly goopy texture, and contains bits of calendula petals in it. It feels a bit cool going on the skin, and does not truly dry out. It washes off after a spell, but I use a sponge to remove just so it’s quicker. The effect of the mask for me is to boost skin hydration. I use it if my skin is feeling dry, but mostly after I use a clay or peel type mask, to rehydrate and soothe skin. It’s a nice mask but not entirely exceptional.
PROS: Easy to use, Boosts skin hydration, Calms skin
CONS: Pricey, Can be hard to remove with just water
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a hydration mask
PRICE:RM198 | US$45 for 100ml
WHERE TO BUY: Kiehl’s stores, Sephora
If you’re interested, here is the list of ingredients for the Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydrating Mask:
Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Carbomer, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil / Lemon Peel Oil, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citral, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
The primary ingredients are designed to hydrate and sooth skin. The citrus oils in there do add a hint of citrus scent to the gel, and personally I think they could do without it.
Have you tried this Kiehl’s Calendula mask? Do you have a similar mask to recommend?
If you have a recommendation for a similar type of mask do share! I have something for masks, and have been using them very often 🙂
Paris B
I have a sachet of this mask that I adore using it for 3 times (divided into smaller portion). However the price is deterring me from purchasing. I am looking forward to review of this similar mask; Mamonde Calming Hydro Sleeping Mask Calendula.
Interestingly, I have been trying out that Mamonde mask! Will update on it soon 🙂 I do find the price of this particular Kiehl’s mask a bit intimidating. If it was just a touch less, perhaps it would be worth the splurge
Ooh this looks really pretty! But it reminds me a bit of Peter Thomas Roth’s hydrating masks, especially what you said: a nice mask but not exceptional. Do you have any recommendations for great hydrating masks? 😀
Actually you are right. I found Peter Thomas Roth’s masks quite underwhelming too! LOL! For hydrating masks I tend to go back to my Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask. It delivers just the right amount of moisture while soothing my skin. I also tried Filorga Meso Mask and that one is amazing stuff. Leaves my skin all lovely and plump!
Hey Paris. Could you recommend a hydrating serum that I could incorporate into my routine? Thinking of adding that to my morning routine. Thanks for this review. I will just stick to my Antipode Manuka Honey mask 🙂
Hi Victoria, actually I’m on the hunt myself. I’ll share once I find one I like 🙂 For now, I’m using the Hada Labo Premium lotion as a “serum” because it offers good hydration, while being a little thick like a serum. I did try the Clarins hydra serum, but I find it a bit light.
Hi Paris, can I ask something out of the topic? What type of masks can I use to clear the pores and to remove those stubborn acne, I mean the “white head” on my cheek? I have oily t-zone. Been clueless about masks. Too many types.. I use Caudalie instant detox clay mask and it seems not so effective.. am I using the correct mask?
Hi Susin, I’d go with a clay-based mask as you have rightly done. But I wouldn’t rely on that alone. Try a light gentle exfoliation with an acid based toner, one that has AHA and BHA. A product with salicylic acid in it might help. If you want something affordable, Hada Labo AHA/BHA lotion isn’t bad. Or try Pixi Glow Tonic. Regular, gentle exfoliation can help the spots recover more quickly. But I’d also look at the reason for those spots e.g. hormonal, product, food, water etc. Sometimes, you just have to get to the root cause, to get rid of it for good 🙂
Hi Paris. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Will try out the Hada Labo lotion which I never try before. I tried Pixi before from a small sample. I got the sample from Sephora online purchase. The items were shipped from Singapore. But I dare not buy online anymore as my last parcel was opened and sealed back by custom. And they put a surat to inform us to stop importing cosmetics without being tax. Scary! I would rather buy in store or with local website. Have you experienced that before? Thanks so much for sharing and your blog is like a beauty library and I basically do not need to refer to other blogs.
Hey Susin, how odd that even your Sephora package got opened by customs? I thought it would be exempt, as it is after all technically bought off Sephora MY website. I would have taken it up with Sephora actually. I personally haven’t experienced this although I do buy a lot of things online. *touchwood* But I have had many people tell me about it. The most hassle I’ve ever gotten is to be taxed on my purchases if they exceed RM500 (shipping included) which honestly, is a lot of money spent online! These days, I keep my purchases to under RM500 and thus far, I’ve been lucky to escape 😀 But you are right. Where possible, I try to buy locally too, whether from local webstores or physical stores. I support the local economy and I get my stuff immediately! But sometimes, when I see a bargain online, I can’t help buying online anyway haha! 😀 Thank you so much for enjoying my blog and for contributing to it. I love talking to readers and I’m honoured to be your beauty library (albeit a rather niche little place – not half as extensive as other libraries out there hehe…) <3
Kiehl’s ultra cream worked so well for my skin. If you remember i won in one of your giveaways . I loved it so much . Thanks to you . I haven’t tried anything else from kiehl’s yet . I am looking for a exceptional hydrating mask 🙂 Andalou naturals has some affordable hydrating and soothing masks . Have you tried them ?
Ah you are right, glad it worked so well for you! I have tried some Andalou Naturals products in a trial set I bought a while ago. I wasn’t terribly impressed by any of them, to be perfectly honest. Sorry! For my hydrating masks, I’m using currently the Leahlani Mermaid Mask, Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask, and this one from Kiehl’s. But I’ll keep looking! 🙂
I have a hydrating mask that i really really enjoy using and at times, I’d use it every day when I feel stressed out. it’s just so calming, cooling and soothing, and the skin feels like it’s being repaired (on the hydration level). It’s the hydrating mask from Aveda that comes in a green tube. I’ve used it since more than a decade ago and now that it has a different packaging (used to come in a transparent tube), it’s still the same stuff, no upgrading of ingredients unlike some of the hydrating masks I was used to.
I was curious when I saw you tweet about this mask as my Aveda mask was sold out at sunway pyramid but pricey la. so i got the aveda one from strawberry.net 🙂
I’d never tried that Aveda one. I always associate Aveda with haircare LOL! 😀 But glad you found it useful for you! Speaking of which I haven’t bought anything from Strawberrynet for a while. I think I shall wait for my next I Miss You discount LOL! 😀