Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

Where I got it

I have been following the IG and Youtube channels of these two sisters from Hong Kong (ChinChin and Serene), they are KOL‘s (key opinion leaders – aka influencers as we know it in western countries). They speak my mother language so it’s always nice to listen and watch. I also get to know what the trend is like in Asia, the brands, the jargon, the terminology in Cantonese, etc. They were talking about body care in a recent video I watched and they talked about some Clarins products and in one of her IG Q&As, she highly recommends this Clarins Body Serum for ultra-smooth skin without that icky-sticky feeling. So I quickly searched online to see if we have this in New Zealand (sometimes brands don’t bring in particular products internationally and I have not heard of this before as well). It was available from Life Pharmacy as well as Farmers and I got this from Farmers while they were having 15% off $81.60 from $96.

What I got

This is the Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum (200ml). The dual moisturising and cellular renewal action of Vitamin A and Water Lily extract encourages the elimination of dry, flaky cells-smoothing away roughness to leave skin soft, supple and bright. Moisturises all through the day and night. Apply from top-to-toe to dry skin morning and/or evening. Concentrate on age-sensitive areas such as shoulders, decollete, forearms, the underside of upper arms, inner thighs and knees.

Ingredients: AQUA/WATER/EAU, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ALCOHOL, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZEL) SEED OIL, HDI/TRIMETHYLOL HEXYLLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, OCTYLDODECANOL, ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE (CASHEW) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, DISODIUM EDTA, TRIISOSTEARIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CELLULOSE GUM, HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA FLOWER EXTRACT, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, POTASSIUM SORBATE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, NYMPHAEA ALBA FLOWER EXTRACT, DIMETHICONOL, LAURETH-7, SILICA, COUMARIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, LINALOOL, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, GERANIOL, CITRONELLOL, SECHIUM EDULE FRUIT EXTRACT, XANTHAN GUM, ISOEUGENOL, BHT, CI 15985/YELLOW 6, CI 14700/RED 4, [C1814C]

How I find it

When I bought it, I have no idea what it does, what ingredients it has and what it claims to do. I really bought it due to the recommendation of the influencers. I was expecting a serum-like texture, but with a silicone finish for that smooth to the touch feeling. When I do start using it, I wasn’t expecting it to be this fluid. It feels like lotion on the skin and does not leave this silicone-smoothing effect, but a moisturised feeling on the skin. It doesn’t feel greasy, but it is a little tacky, so I do need to wait for 1-2 minutes before dressing (especially jeans and tights). It has a scent that I’m not a fan of and it smells like old-fashioned perfume. It starts out rather strong and it does fade, but even after 3 hours, I can still smell it when I sniff my arms.

I have been applying this day and night, on my legs, arms, shoulders, tummy, buttocks area. I don’t apply this on my boobs or back because I tend to get congestion around those areas if I use something rich. My skin does feel smooth and soft, but I will definitely need to use it daily for a while to see long-lasting results. I think it all comes down to consistency when you apply a body lotion or cream product. A few years ago, before kids, I was really diligent in applying body butter all over my body and my skin was really soft and smooth, my elbows and knees were soft without hard, cracked skin. Exfoliation is also a big thing as well which I still do in the shower – exfoliate and moisturise to keep your skin soft and supple.

Overall

I think $96 for a bottle of body serum (lotion) is quite expensive, even when it contains ingredients like retinol. I think the immediate smoothness that it promises all comes down to their texture enhancers and the long-lasting effects from the glycerin, and seed oils. I will surely use up the bottle, but I highly doubt I will be repurchase unless they either go on sale of double points or gift with purchase (better yet, a combination of all of the above!).

Let me finish this bottle and post it on an IG empties post to see what I think. Sometimes when you finish something and go to another product, then you realise that it doesn’t compare to the previous one, you have to go back. You never know!