Review | Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye

A staple in my skincare arsenal, I’ve been using Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (MRC) for more than half a year now.

It’s fluid and emollient, yet not too runny or sticky – I like how this lightweight facial oil is easily absorbed by my skin, leaving it feeling soft and velvety.

Made in the USA, more than a million pieces have been sold since its debut in 2010. I love the midnight blue hue of the recyclable glass bottle – not only is it appropriate for the name, its almost-opaque quality ensures the integrity of the product.

Composed of a blend of botanical and essential oils*, this light-textured ‘elixir’ – as the brand calls it – promises to reinvigorate the skin and replenish its moisture levels, repairing the damage inflicted upon it by daily aggressors. All this, while you sleep (hence the term ‘midnight recovery’).

Enriched with Squalane, a botanical lipid similar in molecular structure to natural skin lipids, Evening Primrose Oil, rich in Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Essential Oils.

– Kiehl’s

Described by the brand as ‘a potent concentration of botanical extracts specifically formulated to biologically replicate skin’s natural lipids for optimal skin repair throughout the night’, this award-winning anhydrous (aka water-free) skincare product is 99% naturally-derived and free from parabens, mineral oil and artificial fragrance. (It does have a scent, thanks to its essential oils.)

The science behind it is simple: As the oils in the product mimic the naturally-occurring oils of our skin, our oil glands will adjust/cease their sebum production upon sensing that the skin’s lipids have been replenished by MRC.

Though its name connotes overnight reparation, this light-textured serum isn’t heavy-duty – I often still need a moisturiser for my parched, dehydrated skin. However, it makes a happy complement to my skincare routine. I like to use it with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, a richer version of the brand’s popular Ultra Facial Lotion. They seem like a perfect pairing – my skin always looks supple and hydrated the following morning.

I use MRC on its own during pre-menstrual days when my skin typically feels oilier. I’m particularly grateful for this product during this time: Its formula seems to balance sebum production, staying the oilies and making my skin less greasy. In addition, it keeps my face smooth and clearer than usual throughout this period when my skin is especially sensitive. It helps in blemish-control too – I notice fewer pimples and bumps.

If I had to summarise its efficacy, I’d say that my skin looks rested after using it. And as a lovely olfactory bonus, the blend of lavender, rosemary, geranium and rose essential oils imbues MRC with a pleasant calming scent that makes it a joy to use.

The dropper packaging is not only hygienic, the pump pipette nicely controls the amount that is dispensed. I like using a drop of this potent potion under or mixed with foundations to extend their wear and enhance application by giving them more slip.

Less impressive is Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye, the eye cream counterpart to MRC.

Formulated with Butcher’s Broom, a root extract that promotes micro-circulation, together with a blend of oils similar to that in MRC, the eye cream supposedly continues the midnight magic with its promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness and dark circles.

It doesn’t exactly live up to its big promises for me, at least not very visibly. I believe many of us have yet to see an eye product that does all these things significantly. Nevertheless, to be fair to the product, I haven’t used it for 28 days running, so who knows?

It is adequate as an eye cream for the maintenance of the under-eye area and I do like how it makes my eyes feel and look somewhat smoother. The light texture absorbs nicely into my delicate eye area too, creating an ideal base for concealer to glide onto without creasing or sliding off.

The squeeze tube packaging with a tapered tip is a boon: Where eye care products are concerned, I certainly prefer using hygienic tubes that dispense their contents easily to fiddling with unwieldy glass pots that are more likely to attract bacteria.

Do be warned that this eye cream can sting quite badly (hence the brand’s strict warning to not let it enter the eyes). You must be careful about rubbing your eyes when you have it on…I learnt the hard way. :P

In Singapore, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is S$90 (30 ml), while Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye is S$72 (15 ml). These were press pieces and while I might not seek out the eye cream again, I will replenish the facial oil blend when I’ve finished my current bottle. :)

Do look out for a special giveaway coming up soon!

* Here’s more information on essential and botanical oils from Kiehl’s:

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated and volatile substances extracted from plants – also referred to as aromatic herbs. The term essential indicates that the oil carries the distinctive scent (essence) of the plant. Most commonly, the essence is extracted from the plant using a technique called steam distillation.

What are botanical oils?

Botanical oils are oils obtained from plants that are fatty, dense and non-volatile. These oils are extracted from the root, stem, bark, leaves, flowers, seeds or fruits of a particular plant, tree or shrub – usually cold pressed or extracted by heat. Many contain proteins, minerals and vitamins.