I admit I can be a fair-weathered beauty product fan. With the sheer number of brands and products that launch every day, and the loads of press samples I receive, I tend to have “Beauty ADD” and end up trying just about anything new—at the high risk of a skin freak-out.

At the stores, key words like “Innovative technology!” or “Limited edition color!” combined with pretty packaging are particularly hazardous and often lead to impulse buys and loads of half-used bottles that accumulate in my beauty closet. (Yes, dear readers, I have an entire beauty closet.)

When I want real results, especially for skincare, I turn to no-fuss brands I’ve been loyal to for years. Kiehl’s is one of those brands, and not just because I often dream of jumping into a huge vat of their classic Crème de Corps moisturizer, which feels so rich and milky, absorbing smoothly into the skin without any oily residue, each time I use it.

Every Kiehl’s product I’ve tried, from the deliciously coconut-scented Amino Acid shampoo to the creamy eye treatment with avocado, feels clean and luxurious, and, more importantly, actually works. (Right now, I’m really loving their new Cross-Terrain all-in-one body wash, which can be used as a soap, face wash or shampoo—and is especially efficient for packing into a carry-on luggage.)

What’s even more impressive is that Kiehl’s is big on supporting philanthropic causes and doesn’t spend a dime on traditional advertising. Its marketing platform revolves around generous product samples, word-of-mouth recommendations and editorial endorsements. The approach, rare in the crowded beauty category, seems to be working since they’ve been around forever.

I had the pleasure of attending Kiehl’s latest charity event in San Francisco on Friday for the close of the brand’s “LifeRide for amfAR.” A fashionable SF crowd showed up at the Fillmore Street Kiehl’s boutique for a little after-work mingling over Belvedere cocktails and canapés, all in celebration of the six-day inaugural motorcycle ride from San Diego to the Bay Area. The ride, with stops at Kiehl’s stores along the way, raised $85,000 in funding for HIV/AIDS research.

Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl’s USA, who led the ride along the California coast, said he’d love to do the ride again next year through New York, where surprisingly, it will probably feel much closer to summer weather!