Daily delight: how great it is to be falling in love with Kiehl’s all over again

I was lucky enough to recently attend the New Zealand launch of East Village beauty legends Kiehl’s into the local market, which was a great mix of education and titillation, mainly as their stand alone counter in Auckland’s Smith & Caughey department store wasn’t quite ready to be unveiled. We all left feeling pretty damn excited that a brand we’ve known and loved for years is finally available in the damn country, and carrying a goodie bag – made from recycled plastic bottles, very cool – that contained a few of the company’s top picks. One of these was their Ultra Facial Cream, which was inspired by their original, beloved Ultra Facial Moisturiser. A 24-hour, light-textured daily hydrator, it leaves skin comfortable and visibly well-balanced, particularly in harsh weather conditions. The formula contains Antarcticine – a Glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers and notable for an ability to protect skin from cold temperatures – as well as Imperata Cylindrica, a plant indigenous to the Australian desert which possesses superb water retention properties in dry conditions. The unique combination of ingredients helps reduce moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air. With continuous water replenishment throughout the day, skin is reportedly unbelievably smooth, healthy-looking, and "moisture-even." It was even tested by Robert Anderson and his fellow climbers as they scaled the peaks of Greenland on the Kiehl’s sponsored trip known as “Greenland First Ascent” which took place in 2005. All reported that it keep their skin hydrated beyond belief against the elements, so imagine what it can do on your average walk to the bus stop?