PRODUCT REVIEW: CLARINS HYDRA-ESSENTIEL BI-PHASE SERUM, MILKY LOTION, COOLING GEL, SILKY CREAM AND RICH CREAM

One of the first luxe brand I used as a teenager was Clarins. I absolutely loved their gentle products, which made such a tremendous difference to my blemish prone skin at the time. Since then, I've used a large selection of their products (you can see all my features via my product directory or through the labels on), and in fact, my most popular post of all time is of the Clarins Double Serum, which is incredible product, so make sure to check it out too. Anyway, this is all about a new range of products that Clarins has just launched, the Hydra-Essentials range. 

This range is all about daily thermic shocks, which include the changes in temperature and environment, from chilling winter winds to indoor heating - and how these impact on skin’s natural hydration levels. The key ingredient of the new Clarins Hydra-Essentials range is the organic leaf of life, a plant found in Madagascar, which has succulent leaves and the ability to retain water despite the extreme temperature changes, and with the products, Clarins aims to

help restore the skin’s capacity to retain water to leave it Intensely hydrated, looking radiant, fresh and smooth all day long. I've put a selection of the product to the test, here are my thoughts.

The Hydra-Essential Intensive Moisture Quenching Bi-Phase Serum is a very lightweight, and slightly runny serum intended for normal to dry and 'thirsty' skin giving it a moisture boost, while also addressing enlarged pores and dullness. As the name suggests, it is made up of two phases, so you need to give it a little shake before pumping it out. I use about two pumps, which I apply to my face in dabbing motions, and it instantly absorbs into my skin, immediately making it feel refreshed, soft and moisturised, and without any greasiness. The serum also contains organic Mary's thistle oil to improve the skin's protective hydrolipidic film, along with orthosiphon extract to help refine the skin's texture for a smoother complexion and 'beautyberry' extract to help revive radiance. The serum can be used morning and evening after cleansing and prior to your usual moisturiser.

For the daytime, I've been really loving the Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizes and Quenches Milky Lotion SPF, which I intended for normal to combination skin, and thus perfect for my skin. This milky lotion is so light and gorgeous on the skin, also absorbing quickly into the skin, leaving it so smooth and velvety soft - and as there is no greasiness, and thanks to containing an ingredient to help regulate sebum production, it keeps my otherwise greasy skin looking matte all day, so it is also the perfect foundation for makeup too. I also love that it comes Anti-pollution complex to guard my skin against external harm, as well as SPF to protect my skin from any harmful UV rays throughout the day.

For those with drier skin types, there's the Hydra-Essential Silky Cream SPF 15, which is for normal to dry skin - a slightly thicker day-time cream suitable, which also has the added Anti-pollution complex to guard my skin against external harm, as well as SPF to protect my skin from any harmful UV rays throughout the day.

Next up there's the Hydra-Essentiel Rich Cream for Very Dry Skin, and I have to admit here that I have not tested this one out, as it is not really suitable for my combination skin prone to breakouts, also as I fear that anything too rich will make my skin congested and make it break out. So I will be hanging on to this cream, and pulling it out as the weather drops further and my skin generally drier. Anyway, this cream also contains among others nourishing fatty acids from cupuassu butter to add comfort to dry skin or skin exposed to extreme cold, and it is seriously thick and rich, so if you have dry skin (or perhaps planning a trip to the snow), this is one for you.

Finally, there's the Hydra-Essentiel Cooling Gel for Normal to Combination skin, which I've been using as a night cream (as it doesn't contain SPF). As you'd expect, it has a very light gel consistency, and immediately absorbs into the skin, leaving it feeling so refreshed. I love that it gives my skin such intense moisture, but hanks to also containing the sebum regulating ingredient, I don't wake in the morning with a skin that is greasy or oily.


These products all come in the most stunning bright blue bottles and jars, and the creams and lotions have the most divine floral scents that I just cannot get enough off. 

And overall I am really enjoying using these Hydra-Essentiel products, with my favourites being the Bi-Phase Serum morning and evening, the Milky Lotion during the day, and the Cooling Gel at night - simply because these products are so great for my skin type.

While my skin is combination, and as such I do not feel they need extra moisture, using these products for a few weeks has really benefitted my skin, and it has clearly loved the extra moisture and nourishment, as I feel it is looking so much plumper, and consequently I also feel that smaller lines and wrinkles are less visible. My skin also both looks softer and smoother, and more radiant and glowing too.

Without thinking about it, our daily commute to and from work and the shops, and spending time indoors in a heated house, all has such a huge impact on our skin, and even more so during winter, when the extreme between indoor and outdoor temperatures is bigger. So regardless your skin type, your skin will really thank you for giving it an intense boost of hydration and protection with these Clarins Hydra-Essentiel products, so be sure to go check them out.


Hydra-Essential Intensive Moisture Quenching Bi-Phase Serum - RRP: $72 / 30ml
Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizes and Quenches Milky Lotion SPF - RRP: $70 / 50ml
Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizes and Quenches Silky Cream SPF 15 - RRP: $70 / 50ml
Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizes and Quenches Rich Cream - RRP: $70 / 50ml
Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizes and Quenches Cooling Gel - RRP: $70 / 50ml

Available from Clarins Online, Myer, David Jones and select pharmacies

* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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