Social media users are mercilessly mocking a “suggestive” new ad from Kiehl’s that shows white lotion smeared across the face of a shirtless male model wearing a pearl necklace.
Ruthless Facebook users joked that the drips of lotion – Kiehl’s Facial Fuel, a moisturizer marketed for men – look like they belong in an adult film.
“He just left his boyfriend’s house,” one commentator wrote about the male model.
“The AI dude has a facial and a pearl necklace! Two for one!” a different person wrote, using some gross argot.
Yet another chimed in: “my, my what a suggestive photo.”
Kiehl’s did not immediately respond to noti.group’s request for comment.
While some poked fun at the ad, others warned that it could be a turn-off for customers.
“Kiehl’s better be careful or they will get Bud Lighted,” one user jabbed.
The beverage fell from its spot as America’s best-selling beer after more than two decades following a disastrous partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in 2023.
Sales of Bud Light continued to suffer months after the campaign as customers called for a nationwide boycott.
One Facebook user wrote about the Kiehl’s ad: “it’s too late … these marketing folks with an agenda are costing their companies millions at a minimum … I’ll look elsewhere, they’re not getting a dime of my money.”
The Kiehl’s advertisement was meant to draw customers to the skincare brand’s website and stores for its “Cyber Week” sale running Wednesday through Dec. 3.
Another Facebook user wrote: “Don’t make me turn on the brand by using crude oddvertising please.”
But another praised the team behind the controversial Kiehl’s ad, noting that it was an effective attention-grabber – and instead took aim at the other social media users leaving comments.
“Social media team definitely knows how to get engagement,” the user wrote. “Disappointed in the comments, though.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
