Test drive: Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler

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As Botox-like face freezers and Juvederm-esque fillers become more popular, skin-care companies are increasingly borrowing lingo from the procedures, no doubt hoping that terms such as ‘filler’ and ‘freeze’ will inspire notions of extreme change.

So when we heard about Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler, which debuts at Kiehl’s stores and counters Friday, we were skeptical regarding any ‘filling’ effects it might possess.

And after a week of rubbing the glue-like potion onto our nascent, thirtysomething wrinkles, we’re still not convinced that ‘filler’ is the right word to use for this product — ‘smoother’ would be more precise.

But we are convinced that this little white tube is definitely worth its $39 price tag.

Encased in a super-glue-style tube (the long, pointed cap even vaguely gives a ‘drywall’ feeling), the product promises to ‘instantly fill lines and wrinkles, while minimizing the depth of facial lines over time.’

And the glue-iness doesn’t end there. Packed with sodium hyaluronate ‘filling spheres,’ the product creates a barrier over wrinkles (this is the ‘filling’) that, when dry (in about 20 seconds) feels like you coated the area with a thin layer of Elmer’s Glue; it’s matte, smooth and almost plasticky to the touch.

The effect is not unlike a makeup primer — which smooths out bumps and lumps — but feels like it’s less transitory. This barrier is staying put, making it a great base for makeup.

But the product’s more marked effects happen over time. Via fragmented hyaluronic acid — a gentle skin slougher — the elixir did slightly soften the look of our impending crow’s feet and smile lines (aka the dreaded parentheses) within a week’s time.

And there were no needles involved. Which, for us, always seals the deal.

Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler is available Friday online and at Kiehl’s Since 1851 stores: 1516 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 255-0055; and The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, (323) 965-0569.

-- Emili Vesilind