I tried and tested this face oil loved by Heidi Klum and Maya Jama – now I use it every night
I had high hopes for Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
Sometimes known as "Midnight Magic" because of its stellar reputation, the elixir has won over 56 beauty awards, and every minute, two sell globally.
It's also got some celebrity fans: both supermodel Heidi Klum and TV Presenter Maya Jama have said they include it in their pre-sleep routine.
But would this little blue bottle live up to the hype? I put it to the test.
- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml, £42 from Kiehl's -
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Has a lovely fragrance
- The dropper makes it easy to use
- Skin looks dewier
- Feels nourishing
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Does feel a little greasy
- The initial radiance doesn't last all day
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery review: quick summary
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a hard worker.
It uses Lavender Essential Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and olive-derived squalane to smooth texture and improve radiance while you sleep.
It is the perfect blend to encourage a restful night's sleep and as a bonus, it smells beautiful.
The dropper makes applying the oil easy and clean which is a bonus if, like me, you prefer keeping mess to a minimum.
Just a few drops pumped directly onto my skin smoothed easily over my whole face and left my skin feeling nourished and ready to be restored overnight.
The all-natural, vegan formula works with all skin types including sensitive skin; something I can personally attest to. My skin (which is normally prone to slight irritation) was good as new the next morning.
I have very few gripes with this elixir but, fair warning, it does feel quite greasy when you first apply and takes a little time to dry down. Be prepared for that initial extreme dewiness to dry down with it.
Plus, it's on the pricier side at £42 for a 30ml bottle, but because of the consistency, a little does go a long way and I could see my bottle lasting me for a few months.
- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml, £42 from Kiehl's -
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Kiehl's Midnight Recovery review: full review
When the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate arrived at my door, my first thought was how well the midnight blue bottle would fit in with the rest of my skincare products.
That might seem like a superficial thought to have straight off the bat, but the bottle looks and feels solid, well made and like a special treat, which, considering the price of £42 for 30ml, felt important.
After doing my nighttime double cleanse I pumped a few drops of the oil straight onto my skin using the handy dropper and massaged it in.
Those few drops were more than enough to comfortably cover my whole face and I could immediately feel how nourishing the product was.
When the oil first went onto my skin, it felt a little greasy and it did take some time to dry down, but that was worth it for the glowy and healthy look it gave. And the product itself didn't feel heavy.
The Midnight Recovery Oil uses Lavender Essential Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and olive-derived squalane to brighten, smooth and replenish skin.
Those ingredients also give it a delicious fragrance, which set me up perfectly to drift off to sleep and let the oil work its magic.
Cut to eight hours (ish) later when I woke up and I noticed my skin felt softer, fresher and still comfortably hydrated.
Plus, I have sensitive skin and this all-natural, vegan formula didn't cause any irritation or inflammation. So give this a go regardless of your skin type.
Even without adding a moisturiser before going to sleep, my skin didn't feel dry or tight and instead felt comfortable.
Did it still look dewy like it had done when I first applied the oil? No. But it did certainly look awake and healthy.
My skin felt ready for the rest of my morning routine having been replenished overnight with zero effort from me.
How to apply Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
After cleansing, place a few drops into your palm, rub your hands together and press or massage into skin.
Follow with a moisturiser and leave it to work its magic overnight.
How much does Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate cost?
Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate is on the pricier side of mid-range at £42 for 30ml, £57 for 50ml and £99 for 100ml from .
The price does vary depending on where you buy it from, but the lowest I could find was £33.60 for 30ml from .
Where to buy Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is available from , , , and .
Or buy it directly from .
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate: the verdict
An oil that works to smooth texture and boost radiance while I'm asleep? Adding to basket pronto.
Once you've tried this elixir it's obvious why it's a cult classic because it does work.
It's a product that requires minimal effort and gives maximum impact which is all anyone can hope for in their skincare. It's a yes from me.
- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml, £42 from Kiehl's -
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