little white truths

I've been through three or so travel-sized bottles of this product over the years and I like it as much now as I did five years ago.

I've mentioned before on this blog that Clarins is Mum's brand, and she often passes on travel-sized items of products she already has in full size, since she receives them as GWPs and includes them in Christmas presents.

While Clarins as a brand has never grabbed me, I'm always pleased to see this particular product - as well as Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm, which is one of my favourite creams of all time.


Clarins claims/product details:

• The intensive hydration product for very dehydrated skin
• As light as it is comfortable, this bi-phase serum works with all levels of the skin to help restore the skin's natural hydration capabilities
• Replenishes moisture and promotes soft, comfortable and radiant skin 
• Offers a matte finish
• For all skin types, particularly dry or dehydrated skin
• To use: apply morning and/or evening to thoroughly cleansed face and neck; gently press down on skin, working from the middle of the face outward
• RRP $72 AUD for 30ml, but do shop around

Verdict

This is a good product and it is indeed great for dehydrated skin.

This time around I'm not using it as my night serum, but instead as an overnight treatment. I apply it a few hours after my normal skincare, just before I go to bed, and I wake up with skin that feels soft and hydrated.

I'm using it this way for a few reasons, the main one being that I feel like this acts as a barrier product because it does leave a light film on the face, and while I think my moisturiser does (mostly) get absorbed if I use it over the top of this product, I'm not convinced that it works at its best since this product feels like it stops the moisturiser from fully sinking in.

I wouldn't use the serum alone because it doesn't have enough punch for that (not for my dry skin), which leaves me with the option of applying it as an overnight treatment, and for me, I think that's the best use for this product.

It's a light fluid that has quite a strong smell and feels a touch oily on the skin but doesn't look that way once applied. It does hydrate but as mentioned, I can also feel it sitting on top of the skin - another reason why I prefer to use it as an overnight product, I guess as you would a mask.

I once travelled with this product to the snow, and I discovered that it was great to use in cold weather because it indeed felt like a barrier cream and seemed to offer some protection from the elements. So if you live in a cold climate, you might really like this product.

All in all, this is a decent product and it's versatile, so even if you don't like it as a 'standard' serum, you may well find some other use for it.