SGD $121 for 30 ml
Clarins has successfully positioned itself as a skincare range on the forefront of anti-aging, with effective active ingredients, at an affordable price. Their highly popular Double Serum: Complete Age Control Concentrate (Double Serum [Hydric + Lipidic System]) continues this trend as a contender in the anti-aging serum market.
The Claims: Clarins Double Serum
Clarins boldly claims that: “90% of women are convinced by its effectiveness”.
“In 7 days, skin texture is more refined”, and “after 4 weeks, a visible improvement in all signs of ageing”.
“Double Sreum is the only anti-ageing serum with 20 plant extracts to stimulate all of the skin’s vital functions”
“Immediate effects: smooth skin, radiant skin, toned skin, better hydrated skin.
After 4 weeks: firmer skin (98%), wrinkles reduced (94%), more even complexion (94%), less visible pores (92%)”
Claims are based on in-house tests on 50 women.
Lets see how these claims hold up…
Packaging/Texture/ Scent : Clarins Double Serum
Double Serum comes in a plastic brown pump container, for easy dispensing. With each pump, serums from both chambers are dispensed together. You need to mix them in your palm before applying it onto your face.
The serum is on the sticky side, and leaves a stcky film on the skin which I did not like – absorbtion takes quite awhile as well. The skin does feel more hydrated after application.
The serum comes with a mild pleasant scent.
Ingredients/ Efficacy : Clarins Double Serum
These days, multipurpose serums are all the rage. Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concenrate markets itself as the next all in one rejuvenating exilir. The star of the product is its “Hydric + Lipidic System” from which the name “double serum” derives.
Clarins says that it has combined the most powerful water soluble (hydric) and oil soluble (lipidic) age control ingredients to improve wrinkles, pores, skin tone, and skin elasticity.
The plant extracts in Clarins Double Serum include:
Oxydendron Arboreum Leaf/Stem Callus Culture Extract
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Carum Petroselium (Parsley) Extract
Pinus Piniaster Bark Extract
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum
Atracyloides Lancea Root Extract
Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Actinida Chinensis (Kiwi) Extract
Cedrelopsis Grevei Bark Extract
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Camellia Sinesis (Geen Tea) Leaf Extract
Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract
Thymus Citriodorus Flower/Leaf Extract
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract
Castenea Sativa (Chestnut) Bark Extract
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Bocoa Prouacenis Extract
While plant extracts have been known to exert anti-aging effects, there is always the question of its efficacy, and how much of the active ingredient there is. Of note in the list is Oxydendron Arboreum Leaf/Stem Callus Culture Extract , the extract with the biggest concentration in the serum. Unfortunately, while plant stem cells have been the rage over the past 2 years, there has been NO research showing that Oxydendron Arboreum, or Sourwood, has any beneficial effects on the skin. Clarins has patented the ingredient, but that still does not prove that it has any anti-aging effects.
Others on the list with known anti-aging effects include Hops, Oat Kernel, Green Tea extracts. Arnica is known to reduce redness and venous congestion, while we know that Tomato gives the skin UV protection.
The list of botanicals in Clarins Double Serum is indeed an impressive one. With these actives, there will be some whitening, pore tightening and wrinkle reducing effects after 1-2 months of use.
The oils, such as Avacado and Rosa Canina, will help moisturise the skin, while confering anti-oxidant protection from the environment as well.
Full ingredient list:
Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oxydendron Arboreum Leaf/Stem Callus Culture Extract, Tromethamine, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Sodium PCA, Parfum/Fragrance, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum Oil, Xanthan Gum, Atractyloides Lancea Root Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Cedrelopsis Grevei Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Thymus Citriodorus Flower/Leaf Extract, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Bocoa Prouacensis Extract, Pentapeptide-31, Ascorbic Acid.
Precautions : Clarins Double Serum
The more ingredients there are, the higher the chance that you may develop a reaction to one of them if you have sensitive skin or known contact dermatitis. Plant extracts are no exception. Perilla Oil in Clarins Double Serum is of particular concern- it has been known to cause irritation to the skin. If you have sensitive skin, try the product on in a small inconspiciuous area such as behind the ear, before using it on the rest of the face.
Who It Is Good For
Men and women with normal to dry skin looking for an all in one serum for skin rejuvenation. Not helpful with acneic skin, but will not worsen it.
Most suitable age range: 40s
Conclusion : Clarins Double Serum
Clarins Double Serum is a moderately good product to look out for. Its kiasu approach in adding more than 20 plant botanicals into works both for and against it. While not all of the extracts have proven benefits, some of them definitely do, and will give improvements in skin tone, elasticity and colour with continued use.
However, the texture somewhat leaves more to be desired, expecially in hot, humid Singapore – It is better as a product to be used at night, rather than in the day.
At $ 121 for 50 ml, it is on the pricey side, especially since not all the ingredient are known to work. Try it out and tell us how it works for you too!
Score : Clarins Double Serum
Packaging/ Scent : 3.5/5
Texture : 3/5
Ingredients : 3.5/5
Price : 3/5
Overall Rating : 3.25/5
