Motivation can come from different sources. Like, you motivate yourself because you really want something. Or you are motivated by something external, like the bonus you´ll get if your work turns out superior.
And sometimes you are motivated by another person. Your wife, for example. Like it happened in the case of developing the Caudalie Premier Cru Serum. Dr. David Sinclair (Harvard) was approached by Caudalie with a research question and almost declined the offer. Almost. Until his wife said: „Oh, Caudalie? I use a lot of their stuff.“
True Story? I don´t know. I read it in a magazine and immediately knew I had to give the Caudalie Premier Cru Serum a go – good thing my mother had a bottle in her bathroom cabinet already.
What Caudalie Claims
This power-packed serum is a natural and effective time machine for the skin. It reenergizes sluggish skin cells so they act younger and perform their critical functions, like natural collagen synthesis more effectively. With every application, skin cells work faster and harder to firm, tone, brighten, and smooth. Or in other words, return skin to its most youthful state.
This serum is formulated with Caudalie’s three signature patents: resveratrol to visibly lift and firm, viniferine to brighten, and grape seed polyphenols to protect against environmental aggressors. Together, these powerhouse ingredients further enhance the serum’s anti-aging benefits and boost the effectiveness of any subsequent cream. The silky, weightless texture glides over skin and absorbs quickly and features a subtle, natural rose scent.
Facts
Prize and size
One bottle (opaque, pump) contains 30 ml and retails for 99,10 € on the Caudalie website here or for 150 $ on Sephora here.
Steep price? Yes.
Texture and smell
Silky? Yes. Weightless? Hm. It is a rich serum, not greasy, but one that I prefer to use in the evenings rather than underneath makeup. On less oily skin than mine though it sinks in immediatedly.
Application and effects
It belongs to my mother, and she wasn´t really willing to completely hand it over, so I will have to refer to her face for really long time results. To be clear, she still looks like my mother, not like my daughter. Which would probably be the „most youthful state“ of her skin if we were to take the claims literally.
But she describes her face as brighter, plump and feeling nourished for hours after application.
Ingredients
Favorable ingredients
- Glycerin: Humectant, draws moisture to the skin
- Niacinamide: Vitamin B3, fights free radicals, combats hyper pigmentation, stimulates collagen production and protects skins barrier
- Betaine: Humectant, gives smooth feeling to skin and hair
- Ribose: Regenerates ATP (energy source) in mitochondria and cultured fibroblasts
- Hydrolized Hyaluronic Acid: Fractured for deeper penetration, humectant
- Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract: Brightening
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydrating, smaller form of hyaluronic acid with deeper penetration
- Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract: Anti-inflammatory, antioxydants
- Caprylyl Glycol: Emollient
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory
- Tocopherol: Vitamin E, antioxidant
- Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan: Soothing, antioxidant
- Sorbitan Isostearate: Humectant, emulsifying
Other ingredients
- Carbomer: Thickener
- Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6: Emulsifier
- Phenylpropanol: Preservative
- Hydroxyethylacrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: Thickener
- Sodium Phytate: Chelating Agent
Unfavorable Ingredients
- Parfum (Fragrance): irritant to some people
- Geraniol/Linalool: from natural origin, potentially irritant
Hydrating with some Niacinamide for brightening and with Ribose to regenerate energy in the cells by stimulating the mitochondria for improved cell turnover. A nice twist to your usual formula, and one that I haven’t seen around much.
Does it live up to its claims?
Well.
I have already commented on the „most youthful state of the skin“ claim, but everything else? Yes. At least in vitro, which isn´t always easily transferable to living human skin cells that are actually attached to a human being.
Would I repurchase?
Yes.
I believe in small changes that do add up in the end, and in prevention and in science based skincare, so that serum is a winner for me. Even at the price tag.
Who do I recommend it to?
Anyone above a certain age. This is not the serum you need to invest in when you are in your early 20s. And even in your 30s, with a healthy lifestyle and diligent sun protection there are probably others out there.
But everyone else, the people like me, that need some „extra“, everyone that has the budget should give it a go.
