It’s hard to review a serum that doesn’t work for everyone, especially when you think it might have worked for you but even though you’re 1/3 through the serum, you’re still not 100% sure. That’s how I feel with Kiehls’ Precision Lifting and Pore Tightening Concentrate.

I’ve been using this for 6 weeks now and I reckon it’s time to share what I thought about it with you. I’m still a bit on the fence about it but read on and let me know what you think.

Description:
Featuring the power of highly refined Micro-filtered Yeast Extract plus Geranium Essential Oil, this clinically demonstrated formula significantly improves the look of facial skin’s overall “bounce-back” quality and definition, while visibly reducing the size and appearance of enlarged pores.

Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane. Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-20, Squalane, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Octyldodecanol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Lauroyl Lysine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Yeast Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylates Crosspolymer, PVP, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Citronellol, Geraniol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil/Rosemary Leaf Oil, Citral, Limonene, Fmla.

Now before I go on, we must be clear on one thing: despite what the beauty “experts” and product descriptions are telling you, pores cannot open nor close. Pores contain a hair follicle and sebaceous gland and serve as a portal for sebum, our skin’s natural oil. Dirt, oil and dead skin cells can often build up and make our pores appear larger. If a pore becomes clogged, it will temporarily stretch and look bigger. But here’s the thing: pores don’t have muscles around the opening to make them open and close. You cannot steam your pores open nor can you close them by splashing cold water on your skin.

So when Kiehl’s says that this will tighten pores, it’s pretty misleading because technically, this cannot happen. However, they also said that this will tighten and lift facial skin … now that I can somewhat believe because I can actually feel my skin tighten when I use this. In terms of actually seeing my skin lift, probably not; the amount of “lifting” from the tightening of skin isn’t so great that I can actually see a difference in a mirror right there and then.

Anyway, let’s talk about the serum. It’s a light, oil-free lotion that absorbs quickly onto the skin. It smells lovely; if you’re a fan of the calming scent of lavender, methinks you’ll like this.

When I say that the serum actually tightens skin, it’s not the sort of dry tightening that I’d feel with a drying foaming cleanser. My skin doesn’t feel dry at all when I apply this serum. I can feel a very slight contraction of my skin when I apply this. Sometimes it’s noticeable, other times it’s not.

I’ve been using this as my day serum for 6 weeks and I can see a bit of difference on my skin. It feels firmer, especially on the jawline and the lines under my eyes have softened somewhat. I can feel a difference in my skin’s elasticity and that it has certainly improved. The problem is, I can’t tell for sure if that is due to the retinol and AHA serums I use in the evenings. But if you ask me if I feel any sort of “lifting” of the skin, I’d say yes because I do feel my skin contracting ever so slightly whenever I use this serum.

However, if you asked me if there’s any reduction in the size of my pores, I’d say no. I didn’t see any difference. I have large pores on my nose and they still look pretty darn big to me even with after using this serum.

As you can tell, the jury’s still out on this one. I’m still using it because it feels good on my skin and it smells really nice. Time will tell after I’m completely done with this serum. For now, it does work in the so-called lifting with skin contraction and my skin’s elasticity has improved. Again, I don’t know if it’s the work of this one serum or a combination of what I’ve been using. It’s sort of hard to tell when you’re using 3 serums, y’know? 😛

In terms of price, this is not a cheap serum. At AU$91.00 per 50ml bottle, it’s quite expensive for something that is not bad but not that great. If you’re going to splurge on a Kiehl’s serum, might I suggest the Midnight Recovery Concentrate (great facial oil) or even the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate? I’ve tried these both and think they’re much better.

What I like about it: Smells really good, tightens the skin (hence that “lifting” effect), certain areas of my skin feel firmer to the touch, especially on my jawline and under my eyes.

What I do not like about it: Doesn’t do anything to the pores, the “lifting” effect of the skin is only temporary.

Have you tried this serum or any other serums by Kiehl’s? Did you like it? Did it work for you?