Belinda
Brown reports on the latest from Clarins
 Few women need an introduction to Clarins, the French company
whose plant-based products and treatments have made it the European leader in skin care.
During the course of 40 years’ research, Clarins Laboratories have tested and
analysed the properties of several thousand plants – and this research continues today.
Clarins’ extensive range of skin care and cosmetic
products have much to interest the older woman. A good example is Total Double Serum, an intensive anti-ageing
fluid that could be likened to multi-vitamins for the face. Relaunched in October 2002
with four new plant extracts, this two-in-one treatment now contains 42 active
ingredients. These include avocado to hydrate, wild rose and St John’s wort to
nourish, oxygenate, protect and regenerate,
say the makers.
Clarins researchers claim that, as skin gets older, it
can become too tired or stressed to effectively assimilate ingredients, even if these are
of high quality. Total double serum is designed to ‘kick start’ skin into
benefiting from the total formula.
The treatment comprises two bottles, one containing
water-soluble ingredients and the other oil-soluble ingredients. Being separately stored
enables the ingredients to retain optimum stability. Serum from both bottles is dispensed
simultaneously through a single pump. Apply the serum by dispensing three of four pumps
(droplets) into the palm of one hand, then warm between both palms and massage lightly
over the face and neck. You can apply the serum daily.
This product forms part of the Clarins extra-firming
range, and costs £43 for two 15 ml opaque glass bottles. The
extra-firming range encompasses day treatments and night creams, a facial mask, a
concentrate, eye treatments, neck cream and lip and contour cream. The Extra-Firming Age Control Lip and Contour Care (Lift Anti-Rides Levres et Contour) contains plant extracts and pigments to
‘correct, smooth, redefine and plump up’ lips – a reassuring thought in
these days of botox injections! It can be used at any time during the day, and comes in a
tube you can slip into your make-up bag or purse (£22 for 20 ml).
The Extra-Firming
Concentrate (Serum Tenseur Raffermissant)
and Extra-Firming Facial Mask (Crème Jeunesse du Cou) harness the power of plant
auxins - naturally occurring molecules that behave like hormones to encourage a
plant’s development. Plant auxins can be found in the stalk of the sunflower plant,
which although slender has the strength to support a heavy head without breaking. Clarins
researchers say that, adapted for cosmetology, plant auxins have exceptional firming and
moisturising properties – making them ideal for more mature skins.
 Clarins Extra-Firming Concentrate, an intensive serum, is
best applied every morning under a daytime moisturiser. It costs £35 for a 30 ml pump
dispenser bottle. The Extra-Firming Facial Mask tightens and combats skin fatigue in five
to ten minutes. Smooth a sheer layer over a cleansed face and neck and remove with a damp
cotton pad. A 75 ml tube costs £30.
A big seller is the
Extra-Firming Day Cream (Lift Jour Anti-Rides) available in three formulas, one for very dry
skin. Clarins researchers have noted that the skin’s levels of Vitamin D – which
is essential for healthy skin - decrease significantly with age. This thick, peachy cream,
when activated by light, stimulates the skin’s natural production of Vitamin D. It
also contains plant extracts to improve skin texture. In specialist appraisal tests, 88
per cent of the participants noted an immediate lifting effect. The day cream costs £37
for 50 ml.
The Extra-Firming
Night Cream (Raffermissante Nuit) complements the day cream with a range of plant
extracts to, tone and protect during sleep. In consumer appraisal tests, 95 per cent of
the participants said it had improved their skin after daily use for a month. Available in
two formulas, one for dry skin, it retails at £39 for 50 ml.
The eye area is especially vulnerable to aging with
puffiness, lines and dark circles making an unwelcome appearance. Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream (Baume Anti-Rides Contour des Yeux) and Extra-Firming
Eye Contour Serum (Serum Super Lift Contour
des Yeux) have been formulated to counteract these effects with ingredients based on
wheat proteins and soya, chicory, anti free-radical Vitamin E and pineapple and papaya
extracts – previously used only in body contouring products – to treat puffiness
and dark circles. The cream is best applied at night and the serum in the morning. Tap
lightly and sparingly around the eye contour (the area around the bony socket) with the
ring finger. Each product costs £25.50 for 20 ml in a mini-pump dispenser.
Other products particularly worth noting include Renew-Plus Body Serum (Serum Corps Peau Neuve), with plant extracts, at £29.50 for 125 ml, and the Skin-Smoothing Eye Mask (Masque Contour des Yeux), a soothing, refreshing treatment that can be used
in tandem with the Extra-Firming Facial Mask. Pat a small amount around the eye, leave for
five to ten minutes and remove the excess with a damp cotton pad. It costs £20 for a 30
ml tube.
In 1999, a European jury of beauty journalists headed by
Marie Claire magazine awarded Clarins Contouring
Facial Lift (Lift-Minceur Visage) the Prix
d’Excellence for best facial skin product. This treatment is designed to lift and
refine the facial contours, including the lower jaw and ‘double chin’ area. A
light cream-gel, it includes some startling-sounding ingredients - horsetail to tone and smooth, brown algae to
soften, caffeine and butcher’s broom to drain and refine. It is best used at night
under a regular treatment cream. According to Clarins, it is particularly effective when
applied with their ‘Manual Auto-Lifting’ method – a series of hand massage
movements detailed in a consumer leaflet included with the product. The treatment costs
£29.50 for a 50 ml dispenser.
 Last but not least, Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion (Fluide Anti-Taches Jeunesse des Mains) has specific lightening ingredients to minimise
age spots, and UVA/UVB (SPF 15) filters help prevent pigmentation marks caused by the sun.
There is also vegetable based glycerine to moisturise and myrrh extract to strengthen
nails. Apply as often as you like to clean, on dry hands, working downwards from the
fingertips with light massaging movements. It costs £14 for a 75 ml tube.
The beauty rooms attached to Clarins counters are
well-known for their luxurious and therapeutic face and body treatments. It’s worth looking out for special promotion
treatments that allow you to redeem your booking fees against a purchase made at the time
of treatment.
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A vast industry is out there to help with all and every beauty concern. In
this column every month laterlife.com will report on ideas and products, old and
new. The practical results of everything from creamy cleansers to mud baths will be
brought to you. All with the focus on maturity of course.
