I was sent a sample of Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase at the end of last year and have been somewhat slow to review it, more fool me. I don't believe it's a new product from Clarins but a timely one as the PR promoted it as a winter skin saviour. Seeing as the freezing temperatures show no sign of leaving us anytime soon, it still feels appropriate to share this wonder product discovery with you. In fact, I can imagine this also being fantastic to soothe summer skin that may have caught the sun although it's not promoted as such.
The HydraQuench range is targeted at those with dehydrated skin, which includes me. For those interested in the science part, Clarins describe the range as "highly sophisticated climate control skincare products which harness the most powerful plant extracts from Madagascar to the Artic Circle to protect... An intensive hydrating and repairing formula of Fair Trade Katafray Bark extract, a new Hyaluronic Acid complex, Sorbier Bud extract, Omega-3 rich Inca Peanut oil, Red Algae, Artic Cloudberry, Pomegranate and Willow Herb extracts." The Serum is seen as the star product in the range and described as an SOS Intensive Treatment.
Throughout the winter, my regime had been to following my cleansing/ exfoliation with Creme de la Mer's Hydrating Infusion, then serum and finally moisturiser. To explain the Bi-Phase part of the name of Clarins' product, it's essentially a 2-in-1 product which combines the effects of my usual Hydrating Infusion with a serum. In real life terms this means that I get to skip a step in my skincare regime- definitely a bonus on cold winter mornings.
You may also be thinking that it's money saving, with Creme de la Mer being inextricably linked to pricey products (personally, I've always regarded them as good value for money) although as my calculations below show, on a ml basis, Clarins is practically double the price.
Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase £37.50 for 30ml (£125 for 100ml)
Creme de la Mer The Hydrating Infusion £80 for 125ml (£64 for 100ml)
Of course, this trial was never intended as a comparison, it's merely highlighted due to Creme de la Mer being the product I had been using beforehand. So, let's focus upon Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase...
The name in itself is something of a mouth full and may be off-putting due to sounding quite clinical. Please don't let this put you off- if your skin has been suffering with the cold weather, I can't recommend this product highly enough.
There's not a great deal to say about the packaging- it's typically Clarins and although small, I guess this is due to it being a specialist treatment product & highlights the intensity. Unlike traditional serums, this is a spray format which turns from a bluish liquid into a very lightweight gel-serum upon contact with skin. You only need a small amount and I found it applied beautifully. I didn't notice any obvious fragrance.
Within a very short time indeed of using the product, I noticed that my skin felt velvety soft with no dryness in the usual areas.
Yes, it's pricey but I really have been very impressed with this product. Love it!
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