Guide to Kiehl’s Clearance Skincare Products
ad in your cart for months? That’s me, standing in the store, phone calculator open, convincing myself this is actually saving money.
I’ve spent a frankly embarrassing amount of time stalking Kiehl’s sales, both in-store and online, and I’ve tested a lot of products that landed in the clearance bin. Some were incredible, some were just… fine, and a few absolutely didn’t work for my skin. Here’s the guide I wish I’d had before diving into Kiehl’s clearance skincare.
Why Great Products End Up on Clearance (And Why That’s Your Chance)
When I first saw Kiehl’s classics on clearance, I assumed something was wrong with them. Spoiler: most of the time, nothing’s wrong.
From chatting with store associates and watching the brand’s launches over the past few years, I’ve seen a few common reasons products hit clearance:
- Packaging changes – Kiehl’s often updates labels or bottle designs. Old packaging = markdowns.
- Formula updates – An ingredient tweak or fragrance removal means existing stock gets discounted.
- Seasonal overstock – Heavy creams in summer, oil-control in winter… you get the idea.
- Discontinuations – Sometimes a perfectly good product just doesn’t sell fast enough.
In my experience, the best clearance finds are usually products tied to a packaging refresh rather than full discontinuations. Those tend to be identical formulas for way less money.
How I Strategically Shop Kiehl’s Clearance
I used to buy clearance like a gremlin: “It’s cheap, into the basket it goes.” Now, I’m much more intentional. This is the system that’s saved my skin (and my wallet):
1. Start with your skin type, not the discount
My skin: combination, slightly sensitive, prone to dehydration, with an occasional hormonal breakout.
When I ignored that and grabbed every heavily scented cream on clearance, my cheeks turned red and tight within days. Now I ask three questions before anything hits my cart:
- Is this formulated for my skin type? (Check the label: normal, oily, dry, sensitive, etc.)
- Does the INCI list match what my skin usually likes? (For me: glycerin, squalane, ceramides are yes; strong fragrance and heavy comedogenic oils are maybe.)
- Does it fill a gap in my routine? Not just “is it 60% off?”
2. Check expiration and batch codes
Kiehl’s products typically have a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol (e.g., 12M or 24M) and sometimes batch codes you can plug into cosmetic calculators.
When I tested a clearance sunscreen that was close to expiring, I noticed the texture had separated slightly. It wasn’t harmful, but it pilled under makeup. Lesson learned: for active-heavy products (vitamin C, sunscreens, retinols), I only buy clearance if I know I’ll finish them quickly.
3. Prioritize “workhorse” categories on clearance
These categories are usually safer bets and hold up well:
- Hydrating toners/essences
- Basic moisturizers (no intense actives)
- Gentle cleansers
- Body care (lotions, washes, scrubs)
I’m more cautious with:
- High-strength vitamin C
- Retinol
- SPF
Those can degrade faster, so I only grab them on clearance if the shelf life looks solid.
Kiehl’s Clearance All-Stars I’ve Actually Tested
These are products I’ve personally bought on clearance and used long enough to form real opinions.
Ultra Facial Cream (a clearance unicorn)
The Ultra Facial Cream is one of Kiehl’s icons, and occasionally the older packaging or jumbo holiday sizes end up discounted.
My experience:- Texture: light gel-cream, absorbs quickly
- Finish: natural, not shiny, not matte
- Feel: my skin feels comfortably hydrated for hours
When I tested this during winter, my dehydrated cheeks stopped feeling tight within about three days. It layers well under sunscreen and makeup, and it never broke me out.
Pros:- Great for normal to combo skin
- Fragrance is minimal and not overpowering
- Plays nicely with most actives
- Might be too light for very dry skin by itself
- Not the cheapest even on clearance, but the cost-per-use is solid
There’s published evidence backing the importance of humectants like glycerin (a star in this formula) for skin barrier support and hydration maintenance.
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
I grabbed this on clearance when Kiehl’s refreshed some of their Calendula line packaging.
On my combo skin:- Morning use: totally fine, skin felt clean but not stripped
- Twice a day: after about a week, my cheeks felt a bit tight
- Removes light sunscreen and everyday grime nicely
- A little goes a long way (one pump is plenty)
- Can be drying if you overuse it
- Fragrance and botanical extracts may bother very sensitive skin
Creme de Corps (body care clearance gold)
I’m mildly obsessed with Creme de Corps, especially around the holidays when limited packaging ends up heavily discounted.
When I tested this after a week of brutal central heating, my shins went from flaky and itchy to genuinely soft in about three days.
What I noticed:- Thick, rich, but not greasy once absorbed
- No strong artificial fragrance blast, which my skin appreciates
There’s research showing that emollient-rich body moisturizers, especially those containing lipids and occlusives, can significantly improve barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Pros:- Fantastic for dry body skin
- Amazing value on clearance because it lasts ages
- Might feel too heavy in hot, humid climates
- Takes a minute to sink in, so not a “throw clothes on immediately” lotion
How to Tell If a Clearance Product Is Being Discontinued vs. Just Refreshed
This is where a little sleuthing pays off. Here’s what I typically do:
- Check the main Kiehl’s website – If it’s missing or labeled “discontinued,” that’s your answer.
- Compare packaging – If you see the same product with updated packaging at full price, the clearance one is almost certainly just older design.
- Ask a sales associate – More than once, a Kiehl’s associate has told me, “This is going away, so if you love it, stock up.”
When a product is genuinely being discontinued, I’m more careful. If I fall in love with it on clearance, I know I’ll have to find a dupe eventually.
Pros and Cons of Shopping Kiehl’s Clearance
Pros
- Premium formulas at mid-range prices – Great if you’re building a routine and don’t want drugstore-only or full-luxury.
- Chance to test without full-price regret – I’m much braver with textures and categories when something is 40–60% off.
- Body care and basics become very cost-effective – Toners, body lotions, and simple moisturizers are especially worth it.
Cons
- Limited stock and shades/sizes – You can’t always repurchase your new favorite.
- Some products are closer to expiration – Particularly a risk with actives.
- Easy to overbuy – Clearance psychology is real; I’ve bought more than I can realistically finish.
How I Test a New Clearance Product Safely
Even when the price is amazing, my skin is not a science project. This is the routine I follow:
- Patch test behind my ear or along the jawline for 2–3 days.
- Introduce one product at a time—no full routine overhauls in a single week.
- Track reactions – If I notice new breakouts, burning, or persistent redness after introducing just one new product, it goes into the “nope” pile.
Dermatologists regularly emphasize gradual introduction of new products and patch testing as key strategies to avoid irritation, especially when trying unfamiliar formulas.
When You Should Skip Clearance, Even If It Hurts a Little
Based on my own missteps, I’d personally pass on Kiehl’s clearance if:
- You’ve got active eczema, dermatitis, or a very compromised barrier and haven’t cleared any product with your derm.
- You’re dealing with serious acne or melasma and following a strict, derm-prescribed regimen.
- You know you won’t use it within 6–12 months, especially for vitamin C, retinol, or sunscreen.
In those situations, a tailored routine from a professional will beat any clearance find.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who Has 100% Overdone It
I’ve had clearance wins (Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps) and clearance fails (a fragranced serum that made my cheeks sting within 10 minutes). Overall, though, Kiehl’s clearance has been one of the easiest ways for me to access higher-quality textures and more sophisticated formulations without paying full luxury prices.
If you’re strategic—check your skin type, inspect dates, prioritize “workhorse” products, and introduce them slowly—Kiehl’s clearance can be less of a gamble and more of a smart, budget-friendly way to build a routine that actually feels a little indulgent.
And honestly, there’s nothing like the tiny thrill of finding that product you almost bought at full price… sitting quietly on the clearance shelf, waiting for you.
Sources
- Kiehl’s Official Website - Product information, ingredients, and brand background
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) - How to Safely Apply Skincare Products - Derm guidance on introducing products and avoiding irritation
- Harvard Health - Moisturizers: Do They Work? - Overview of how moisturizers and their ingredients support the skin barrier
- Cleveland Clinic - Glycerin for Skin: Benefits, Side Effects, and More - Evidence-based look at glycerin as a humectant
- Mayo Clinic - Sensitive Skin: Care Tips - Recommendations for caring for sensitive or reactive skin
