Skin food for the soul

MANILA, Philippines - Sometimes, you can’t help but feel a little guilty for spending so much on your beauty regimen. It’s hard to argue against how that hard-earned cash stacks up against you: when you spend the GDP of Vanuatu on beating your acne-prone face into submission, it does make you think of all the more practical things you can buy instead. (But, you know. Your skin.)

Thankfully, there are opportunities for do-gooding and beautifying to intersect — one of which is beauty brand Kiehl’s annual philanthropic efforts to do just that. Their Kiehl’s Gives platform has been used to push forward advocacies such as HIV/AIDs to children’s causes, and even the environment. It’s an annual effort to raise funds and awareness that also partners up with influential individuals like Brad Pitt, Julianne Moore, and Alicia Keys, among many others, in which they created limited edition products that benefit charitable organizations all over.

In the Philippines, Kiehl’s is pushing their advocacy with the Start It Right with Kiehl’s campaign, which encourages beauty junkies — and anyone, really, with a sense of giving — to support community-building activities. For this, Kiehl’s has partnered up with actress/model/host Belle Daza and restaurateur/travel and food video content creator Erwan Heussaff to pool in their talent and influence to make a difference.

Starting this June, Kiehl’s will offer a limited-edition version of the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, one of Kiehl’s bestselling formulas. With four jars sold per minute globally, this hardworking product has been proven to clinically hydrate the skin’s surface while improving overall skin quality. Definitely a staple in any beauty girl’s bathroom counter, and the perfect product to launch Kiehl’s newest campaign.

The Ultra Facial Cream’s new design will feature work by Belle and Erwan, with the art particularly focused on their passion for children to eat and eat well. Belle’s design features an earthy duotone design with a child walking with a stick, while Erwan’s has a cool blue background with the silhouette of a child festooned with colorful drawings. And while it is a treat to see your social media faves dishing out their best artistic work, it also bears knowing that 100-percent of the proceeds will go to Kiehl’s chosen organization, the Payatas Orione Foundation.

The foundation is located in Payatas, Quezon City, and feeds of 600 malnourished kids every year. Through the Start it Right with Kiehl’s efforts, underprivileged kids between two and eight will benefit from a supplemental feeding program where one full meal will be provided for them every day of the week. It is arguably a simple effort, but one that can make waves in every child’s physical and mental growth. But one thing’s for sure, reaching for your skincare faves will now come with a little less guilt.

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The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream retails at P1,575, with the limited-edition designs available in store from June to July. For more information about Kiehl’s visit facebook.com/KiehlsPhilippines or Instagram @KiehlsPhilippines.