Kiehl’s Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence

I have to say I never adopted the whole 10-step K-beauty skincare routine, so I haven’t used many essences. I do like good skin-care though, so when I got the Iris Extract Essence in a gift-set I was pretty happy to try it. It is a slightly viscous watery fluid that is easy to pat into the skin so only a small amount is needed. It appears to be very light, and that’s why I prefer to use this in the morning instead of my serum, and use them together as an extra step for the evening. Like many of Kiehls products it has a very mild botanical, almost fruity, scent which is obviously the Iris extract. There is also a hint of alcohol in there, perhaps for a toning effect. I usually avoid products with alcohol, as they seem pointless – they strip moisture from your skin, which then needs another product to replenish the moisture! That said, I haven’t really noticed any bad effect from this essence. Iris extract is meant to be nourishing and anti-ageing as is sodium hyaluronate another anti-ageing ingredient derived from hyaluronic acid, well-known for its moisturizing properties. The other main ingredient is Lipo-hydroxy acid which is an exfoliator. So this one product seems to be a multi-tasker. I do think my skin looks brighter and clearer after using this but doesn’t feel noticeably hydrated and I’m not sure how much it improves on my usual routine, whilst also being quite expensive for a light first-step exfoliator/moisturizer. I think my mature skin prefers the deep nourishment of a serum. I quite like this essence, but not sure I’d go out of my way to add this to my usual line-up. If you were looking for a brighter, clearer complexion and mild hydration, it would be perfect for you.