I've forever been on a quest to find the perfect moisturizer--one that sufficiently nourishes and hydrates my skin without leaving a greasy film behind. I was beginning to think such a product was the stuff of urban legend until I stumbled upon Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($22.50; kiehls.com), a new moisturizer that delivers maximum hydration, minimal residue, and miraculous results. Although it's based on the brand's popular Ultra Facial Moisturizer, the cream is thicker and more hydrating than the original, so I immediately pegged it for a night cream and slathered on a dollop before bed. When I woke up the next morning, my skin was supple and glowing, as if it had spent years wandering the desert and finally happened upon an oasis. My dry, flaky patches were gone, and my complexion looked noticeably more youthful.

I was so pleased with the results that I decided to take Ultra Face Cream on a more challenging trial run, applying it under my makeup for nine-to-five wear. While the product is rich, I found that it's also silky, fluffy, and fast-absorbing, and a little goes a long way (you won’t need a dollop; a drop is enough to cover your whole face). Much to my surprise, the cream created a smooth, long-lasting canvas for makeup (no slippage during the day, even in the humidity). What's more, it offers superb hydration in dry and cold climates with the help of two unusual water-retaining ingredients: Imperata Cylindrica, a plant indigenous to the Australian desert, and Antarcticine, a glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms found in sea glaciers. In fact, Kiehl's was so confident in the product’s hydrating abilities that, prior to its release, it sent Ultra Face Cream on the ultimate test--with six explorers on the first-ever ascent of the Greenland's ice-covered peaks. The team completed its expedition chap-free, and Ultra Face Cream provided with them protection from the elements. --Erin Roop

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