‘Tis the season of gift giving! As we count down the days to Christmas, have you got your gifts sorted out already? If you want to #SkincareAboutSomeone this holiday season, Kiehl's has released their limited edition holiday sets.

It's always a happy occasion when your skin meets a skincare brand that suits it well. Being hiyang with a brand is no small thing! Kiehl's is one such brand for my skin and I feel extra rewarded in using their products for the following reasons.

If you want to know how your skin is going to age, look at your mother and (if you’re still fortunate) your grandmother. That should tell you where your lines will form and where your skin will give way to gravity; it will inform you how time will likely shape your face. Do not recoil. Aging is not ugly. It is a process that we all have to go through! But that doesn’t mean that we should not take care of our skin and give up without trying. It’s fun to try and do things better, no?

A beauty brand that’s older than 100 years is already in rarefied air. But traveling through time to still be relevant after 170 years is a monumental achievement in itself, one that Kiehl’s carries proudly! The brand actually started as a pharmacy by John Kiehl in New York’s East Village in 1851. It was in 1921 when Irving Morse took over that it started selling beauty products. With his pharmacology background, he formulated Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion and Creme de Corps, two products which Kiehl’s still has on their shelves as we speak. The first Kiehl’s apothecary also still stands in the same spot in New York!

Skincare selection is a uniquely personal experience. Our skin types and mileages vary, and we also have specific issues that we would like to take care of. Take myself for example. I have dry, dehydrated skin with an oily t-zone. I also have the beginnings of fine lines and wrinkles that are seemingly typical for a 35-year-old. While I will be okay with the basic moisturizer, I will certainly benefit from the targeted application of a serum or two. Thankfully, there are brands such as Kiehl’s Philippines who have long made the commitment to do their utmost for customer care.

I’ve been using the Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense since last year and I love it. It’s lightweight and doesn’t dry my skin, so it was especially useful during my travels when the weather is cooler! It wears well under makeup and never makes my skin feel greasy during the day. Recently, I’ve been trying out the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++ (P2,100 /30ml or P3,100 / 60ml from the Kiehl’s PH website) which is supposedly an even lighter version. So is it better?

Kiehl’s is one of those skincare brands that my skin just seems to love. I’ve tried a few of their cult favorite serums as well as some then new releases), and my experience has been good thus far. Sam also did the Kiehl’s Let Us Change Your Skin Challenge with quite satisfactory results. The brand has been around since 1851, after all, and has many fans worldwide!

The first time I heard of Advent calendars was in college, when I saw a YouTuber take out chocolate from a Cadbury-branded Advent calendar. It looked like a fun idea to enjoy a little treat in the days leading to Christmas, though I had to wonder how much self-control I’d need to not open everything at once! Assuming you have enough impulse control, I can certainly imagine how “receiving” a small gift every day can set the mood for Christmas cheer. Now imagine doing that with beauty products!

On a scale of one to ten, how stressed are you this season? Christmas is juuust almost a month away, so I’m sure that you’re (like me) running like a headless chicken with all the errands and parties you need to get to. If your skin is looking a bit worse for wear, I think you should check out Kiehl’s best-selling serums to help out with some possible skin issues!

I recently went on a trip abroad, and while my skin was totally fine during my travels, all hell broke loose when I arrived back in Manila. My skin suddenly became a flaky mess after days of cold and airplane conditions, and my period arrived and brought hormonal acne with it. I routinely get post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), so my skin pretty much went from flat and somewhat even-toned, to dry and dotted. Nice one.

Did you know that the Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is Kiehl’s #1 best-selling toner globally? Its success inspired the brand to come up with a water cream (which is skincare speak for a lightweight gel moisturizer) that incorporates the same iconic ingredient, Calendula Extract. What’s different about the new Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream is that it includes micronized Calendula petals that “burst” when applied. The Calendula serum is meant to soothe and refresh the skin without making it feel too heavy. While moisturizer isn’t a particularly exciting category for me (I’m really more of a sunscreen type of gal), the unique texture of this product led me to discover its unintended use as an ultra-smoothing primer that nourishes and creates slip!

I’m really not a fan of Philippine summer heat (although I love a tan) because of the damage and discomfort that it brings to our skin. Although I love find and applying sunscreen for my face, I usually neglect my body. There are even days where I skip sunscreen - I know, burn me at the stake!

Catriona Gray may be best known for wowing the world with her lava walk but the current Miss Universe also presented a rather liberal opinion during her Q&A. She voiced her support for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, which is currently being considered for legalization here in the Philippines.

Kiehl's has long been a well-loved skincare brand. They are on the pricier side, but you certainly get your money's worth if you find something your skin adores! I’ve been a fan of their Super Multi-Corrective Cream, and their Power Serums are popular with the PV community as well.