Kiehl's beauty advent calendar is packed with skincare essentials – but there's one drawback

Founded in New York in 1851, Kiehl’s has been a trusted, enduring name in skincare, make-up, and haircare for more than a century. Famed for its simple, fuss-free products and science-backed formulas, the beauty brand delivers premium quality at pleasingly affordable prices.

Each year, Kiehl’s limited edition holiday advent calendar is much-loved thanks to its quirky design and roster of the brand’s bestsellers. I’ve long been a fan of the brand; it was the first I used as a teenager getting into skincare, and its products remain nostalgic favourites in my bathroom.

Whether you’re completely new to Kiehl's or love its formulas and want to find even more go-to’s, its £119 calendar offers a whistlestop tour through the brand’s most coveted products.

Aimed toward skincare fanatics, behind the doors you’ll find everything from moisturisers and serums to toners, eye creams, hand salves and face cleansers.

How I tested

The calendar is designed by a New York-based artist

Daisy Lester/The Standard

To help you decide if Kiehl’s calendar is worth your money, I got my hands on the beauty box to assess its contents. Priced at £119, it’s among the most relatively affordable beauty calendars – but how do its contents stand up against others on the market?

I committed the cardinal Christmas sin and opened each drawer before December, trialling the products and considering their size, value-for-money and quality. Here’s what to expect if you count down to Christmas with Kiehl’s this year.

Kiehl’s beauty advent calendar

Kiehl's

★★★★☆

What we love: Fun, playful design, each product is packaged in a box for regifting, a ready-made skincare regimen, useful and effective formulas, and relatively affordable for a beauty advent calendar

Take note: All of the 24 products are mini size, and some will be used up in one go, including the shampoo and conditoner

Kiehl’s has partnered with the New York & London-based creative, Jordan Robertson, for the holiday-themed calendar. It’s stylish yet festive, with dog motifs in a colourful, playful colour palette, inspired by New York City at Christmas time.

The quirky design carries on inside, with the two doors opening up to reveal 24 boxes. The box itself is compact and simple, with the days ordered consecutively so there’s no hunting around for numbers. It fits neatly into small homes.

Plus, unlike other calendars, each product is packed into a cardboard box rather than a drawer – meaning each could be easily gifted as a stocking filler or Secret Santa.

Daisy Lester/The Standard

The products span every category of skincare, from cleansers, serums and treatments to moisturisers, eye treatments and body care. While the addition of haircare was exciting to me, I was disappointed by the miniature sample sizes of the shampoo and conditioner – there’s only enough for one wash.

Except for a few other teeny tiny formulas that bring down the calendar’s overall value – see the musk oil, eye zone treatment, dark spot solution, midnight recovery concentrate, and the triple acid peel – I was impressed with the skincare offering.

You’re spoiled for choice with premium formulas to fill up your travel makeup bag in 2027. The calendula deep cleansing foaming facial wash is as nourishing as the creamy avocado eye treatment at night. The midnight recovery cream is also designed for nightly use: the cream glides on smoothly and helps to visibly plump skin.

Daisy Lester/The Standard

The ultra facial cream is intensely moisturising for dry, winter skin. And if you need some extra TLC, the rare earth pore-minimising clay mask and ultra facial barrier-hydrating cleanser are on hand. Another crowd pleaser, Kiehl’s ultra facial oil-free cream is lauded for its effectiveness at minimising the look of visible pores; there’s no better time than festive party season to try the cream.

I’ve been an avid user of Kiehl’s lip balm (15ml) for years, so I was delighted with the calendar’s top-up. The moisturising formula is a godsend for dry lips and avoids being sticky.

Serving as the perfect stocking filler for a partner or friend, there’s also an ultimate strength hand salve (30ml) to soothe dry hands (a blessing during winter).

As you near the main event, the products get bigger and better. Come Christmas Eve, it’s safe to say your skincare arsenal will be very well stocked.

Owing to its reasonable price point, it’s no big surprise that the Kiehl’s calendar is full of mini and travel-sized products. With most calendars pushing £300, it’s refreshing to see a more affordable calendar that doesn’t scrimp on the quality of the formulas found inside.

However, if you want to sample makeup, haircare and fragrance, the Kiehl’s advent calendar isn’t for you. Equally, you can’t expect the products to last you long into 2027 – unlike retailer offerings from Liberty, Cult Beauty and Sephora.

Is the Kiehl’s beauty advent calendar worth it?

Daisy Lester/The Standard

With 24 popular products spanning serums, moisturisers, creams, scrubs, masques, eye treatments and more found in the Kiehl’s advent calendar, it’s a real treat for skincare fans. As previously mentioned, you won’t find any full-size products here – but if you do decide to invest, Kiehl’s comparably affordable offering is a lovely gift to friends, family or yourself. Packed with effective formulas to pamper and nourish skin, it’s a fun festive way to discover a new favourite product that you might choose to invest in later.