Kiehl's: Pharmacy for Cosmetics

Kiehl's was established in Manhattan over 150 years ago. Today its in-demand beauty products are sold all over the world. Coveted by beauty editors, make-up artists and women everywhere, Kiehl's luxury beauty products have withstood the test of time, and continue to find new fans.

Kiehl's History

In 1851 John Kiehl opened a tiny neighbourhood apothecary at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 13th Street in New York City's East Village (historically known as Pear Tree Corner). The early ancestor of today's modern drugstore, apothecaries sold medicinal formulas for common ailments while also offering more exotic concoctions (virility creams, baldness remedies), all prepared on-site, usually mixed on demand.

In 1921, Kiehl's was bought by Irving Morse, who had been working as an apprentice at the apothecary. The son of a Russian-Jewish immigrants, Morse had earned a pharmecology degree from Columbia University and added a line of homeopathic remedies culled from recipes from his family's heritage to the shelves of Kiehl's.

In 1961, Irving turned the business over to his son Aaron, who took it over completely, phasing out the homeopathic cures and the pharmacy and concentrating on the natural care products. It was Aaron who invented the still-available Kiehl's products Blue Astringent and Musk Oil during the 1960s. He also was the pioneer for the Kiehl's policy of generous sampling, information-crammed labels and simple, generic packaging. He was also the visionary behind The Mission of Kiehl's and his eccentric personality is part of the reason Kiehl's stores today contain skeletons, motorcycles and snapshots of skiers, cars and planes - all of which have also become part of the branding of Kiehl's.

In 1985, Aaron's daughter Jami took over Kiehl's, joined eventually by her husband, Klaus Heidegger. In 1991, Klaus and Jami's new baby, Nicoletta, inspired the Kiehl's baby product line and because both were avid skiers (Klaus has been a member of the Austrian ski racing team) they developed a line of athlete-specific shampoos, muscle rubs and skin protectors. As Nicoletta grew up she became enamoured with horses and riding, so she too, contributed to the business by adding equine products.

Kiehl's was bought by L'Oreal in 2000 after the thriving company found itself struggling under its escalating success. With this new leadership, Kiehl's grew more than ever and now has store locations all over the world.

Kiehl's Beauty Products

Kiehl's products are still made with the same simple, homeopathic approach as they always have been. Focusing on naturally-based recipes and formulas designed to improve and protect the skin and hair, Kiehl's has grown mainly by word-of-mouth and the strength of their products.

Some of Kiehl's best-sellers are:

• Lip Balm #1: A light, long-lasting lip balm that relieves and prevents chapping. Goes on smooth and absorbs well so that lips are protected from cold, dry air even when bare.
• Ultra Facial Moisturizer: A favourite among make-up artists for its versatile moisturizing, its light, readily-absorbed consistency makes it good for almost every skin type. It uses a mix of Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Squaline ( a moisturizing oil derived from olives).
• Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion: Created in 1964 and made with camphor and menthol, it's designed to treat problem areas, blemishes and is a good after-shave balm due to its cooling and soothing qualities.
• Creme de Corps: A highly effective rich body moisturizer, especially good for dry and dehydrated skin. It contains cocoa butter and sesame oil and continues to work beneath the surface layers of the skin to keep skin smooth, soft and pliant.
• Creme With Silk Groom: A non-greasy, conditioning, nourishing and softening styling aid for the hair. It contains silk powders, sesame oil, soy and wheat proteins and jojoba oil and has become as essential to hair stylists as the Ultra Facial Moisturizer is to make-up artists.

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