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KIEHLS NON FREEZE FACE PROTECTOR
BY MELANIE DOSKOCIL
OWNER REVIEW
July 19, 2007
TESTER INFORMATION
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NAME:
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Melanie Doskocil
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EMAIL:
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mdanseuseATgmailDOTcom
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AGE:
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37
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LOCATION:
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Aspen, Colorado USA
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GENDER:
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F
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HEIGHT:
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5' 5" (1.65 m)
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WEIGHT:
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115 lb (52.20 kg)
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I began backpacking in 9th grade, hating every minute of it. The borrowed gear was heavy and uncomfortable. I vowed never to do it again until a friend and avid enthusiast enlightened me. I now celebrate 10 years of discovering joyful backpacking. I go on 4 overnights, 2 2-days and at least one long 5-6 day trip. I am a three season camper due to an aversion to extreme cold. I carry about 25-30 lb (11-13 kg) for overnights and up to 60 lb (25 kg) for long trips. My playground includes the mountains of Colorado, Utah and a bit of Idaho.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Kiehl's Since 1851
Year of Manufacture: 2001-02 (I couldn't get a definite answer from customer service)
Manufacturer's Website: www.kiehls.com
MSRP: I couldn't find the price on the website so I called customer service and was told: US$ 18.50
Listed Weight: 1.4 oz (40 g)
Other details:
This is an all-sport, "non-freeze" face protector with an SPF of 30, according to the manufacturer. The label states it is ideal for water or winter sports and provides UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection against sunburn in ... the most extreme weather conditions.
The active ingredients are:
Avobenzone 3.0%
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octisalate 5.0%
Octocrylene 6.8%
in a beeswax base (with a few other things but no petroleum!!!).
FIELD USE
The manufacturer recommends this product for water, winter or extreme weather, but having recently learned of a couple of my outdoor buddies' battles with melanoma, I don't like to take any chances. I use Kiehl's face protector on my face, shoulder, neck, ears and chest anytime I'll be out in the direct sun for more than 30 minutes. I discovered this wonderful product about 2 years ago and have used it on several multi-day backpacking trips including several that required snow travel.
Recently I used this product on a three day camping trip at elevations between 10,400 ft (3170 m) and 11,800 ft (3600 m). The sun is very intense at higher elevations. I have found that while the manufacturer suggests reapplying the product after 40 minutes of sun, I can usually go much longer between applications. Since the product has no icky petroleum in it, I can reapply several times on a three day trip and not have my face break out like a pepperoni pizza by the end of the trip, if I can't easily wash. Also, it has never caused my eyes to sting when I start to get sweaty while hiking. I have never used another sunscreen, whether designed specifically for faces or not, that didn't sting my eyes when I started to sweat.
Kiehl's "Non-Freeze" Face Protector does live up to its name. While on a backpacking trip early in the spring, the temperature dipped down to 20 F (-7 C) and I checked the product. It was dark so I didn't need to apply but wanted to check for the sake of review. The waxy product was still easily removed from the container and spread smoothly on my skin. Another feature I appreciate about Kiehl's is that when the temperatures rise, it doesn't melt. I have carried this product in temperatures in the low 90's F (50's C) and it has remained in a solid waxy form. In the heat it gets a little creamier, but it has never melted into a liquid phase.
I have also used this product on back-pack trips that include snow travel. The albido or reflective effect of the snow combined with the intense sun can usually turn me into a sun dried tomato if I'm not careful. The Kiehl's has been a blessing and has blocked so much sun I didn't even get a light tan out of it.
SUMMARY
I really love Kiehl's Face Protector. It has never stung my skin or eyes, it does a tremendous job of blocking out the sun and protecting my skin. I have never had a rash or break out of acne from it. It seems to stay put when I start to sweat and is long lasting and has no smell other than a beeswaxy smell.
The container is small 1.4 oz (40 g) and it doesn't add too much weight to my pack. The product is also easily spread on my skin, so a little goes a long way. I try to make it last as it is a bit pricey, but then I like to keep my skin healthy, so I'll pay a little extra for that.
I don't like to put petroleum products on my skin (ew!!!) and thankfully this is not in a petroleum base.
THINGS I LIKE
1. Doesn't sting my eyes
2. Small, easy to pack container
3. Spreads easily
4. Doesn't sting my eyes
5. NO PETROLEUM
6. No perfumey smell
7. Did I mention doesn't sting my eyes?
THINGS I DON'T LIKE
1. A little pricey
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Read more gear reviews by Melanie Doskocil
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