Expensive product, uncomfortable tightening effect
This product is different for me - I haven't really dabbled in essences before so I didn't know what to expect, but sadly I am not sure this was it!
This is a gorgeous bottle and the product costs a pretty penny. I gently shook the bottle, to get the seemingly separated parts of the essence to combine, before pouring it on to my hand and patting it on to my skin. It is a lightweight, water like texture and this application worked well.
It is as for the results that I am left a bit confused. The essence did not leave my skin more plump, as it stated though it did tighten my skin as it also stated. Unfortunately I found that rather drying and a little uncomfortable. For the price point and my dry skin, I wouldn't be willing to pay for something that leaves my skin tight in this way - that's not a selling point for me. I had hoped for plumping, glowy skin. This product has no effect on glow.
A little does go a long way with this product so I see the bottle lasting sometime, but I would caution anyone with dry or sensitive skin to be careful with this product. I am not sure i saw any longer term benefits from continual use either.
Overall I am not sure the price point of this product justifies the experience. I didn't love the short term effect on my skin, saw no long term effect and this is an expensive product.
Left the skin feeling too dry and tight
I have combination skin with mild acne/conjestion and found it made my skin too dry and tight. It certainly removed all the makeup, dirt and pollution on the skin which is what I would expect with a toner. It smelt pleasantly florally and wasn’t too alcoholic. However, I found it was just a bit too strong and that I needed to use a strong moisturiser to stop my skin from drying out. Probably more suited to someone with oily skin and enlarged pores.
Not worth the price and didn’t notice any difference other than drying my skin out. I’m
Good but pricey
I had really high expectations based on the ingredients and I found that it didn’t quite live up to them. In the 3 weeks that I have used the product I did find that it helped improve the texture of my skin, however it did little to lighten hyperpigmentation. If you’re looking for something to reduce black heads and texture I would recommend a different AHA with a higher percentage. However it is a good overall product that saves having to use multiple products - vitamin c, AHA and vitamin e. For the price I find it hard to justify.
OK product for the price point
I had high expectation on this product after receiving the email from BEAUTY crew for the trial and did a bit of quick research on this essence.
First impression: the packaging did not disappoint, it comes in a simple and elegant bottle. Some people have mentioned that the color peeled off after some time but that hasn't happened to me.
As I started using it, I really like the nice scent of the essence. It's subtle enough that you can smell it but does not put one off. The feel and consistency once applied also felt good, there is oil but it doesn't feel oily once put on and absorbs quickly and nicely into the skin. It also instantly refreshes the skin.
I will finish using it however unlikely to purchase it again given the price versus return is not quite justifiable. Sure, it does what an essence should and the quantity does justify the price of the product however I do think many other essence in the market does the job at a lower price point. At $150 there is not enough differentiation for me to purchase this essence rather than another one.
Developed for Asian skin
I have used this product for almost one month. I have noticed no difference the the clarity/eveness of my skin.
On the package it states that this product is specifically developed for Asian skin. I am from Hispanic heritage with olive skin, perhaps this is why I saw no difference in my skin as the product was not specifically designed for my skin type. On a positive note the packaging, scent, and overall experience using this product has been very luxurious.
I say, if it is within your budget it is definitely worth a try to see if it works for you! Lancome is a wonderful brand with many excellent products. Who knows it might be right for you!
Lancôme Clarifique Dual Essence
Lancôme Clarifique Dual Essence is a lightweight stellar product second to none.
It applies with a water like texture and dries almost immediately.
I found it left my skin feeling nourished and left a soft glow I would highly recommended Lancôme Clarifique Dual Essence to anybody looking to find a toner type product without the harsh chemical feel
This product has definitely worked wonders on the overall texture of my skin it’s a A+++ from me
I personally found it Non drying with out irritating my skin in anyway.
For the price tag I'm left wanting...
After trialling this product for 4 weeks I can't give it the glowing endorsement I was hoping to be able to provide but would definitely recommend giving it a go if it's in your budget. If the price tag is a little expensive for your there are other products you could try without having to break the bank for this one.
First impressions are great - the packaging is luxurious and has an air of sophistication, but at $150+ a bottle you'd expect nothing less. The bottle includes large "wand" to help mix the product when youre ready to use, but does little else to help you get the product from bottle to face - as you had to take the lid off completely and tip into your hands - perhaps a pump style applicator would add something.
The product itself is light, watery and applies very easily, but for the same reason I always felt like I was wasting product as I poured it out into my hands. That said a little goes a really long way and this bottle could easily last months.
Over the four weeks I trialled the product I did notice an improvement in my skin - there was a reasonably visible reduction in my pores and my skin did feel brighter. I did have some breakouts but couldn't definitely pin them on this product (although it was the only new item in my skincare lineup).
What leaves me wanting however is the price. This is an extremely expensive product that still needs to be combined with other skincare products to form a wholesome routine. I did see some improvement and for that it's worth trialling, I'll definitely finish using the bottle but it's probably not a product I would purchase again at this price-point.
Mild, luxury essence to brighten the skin
I was really lucky to be picked to try out this Lancome Clarifique Dual Essence. It is packaged in a classy glass bottle. By shaking the bottle, the whisk in the center mixes the oil-water biphase layers, creating microbubbles & dispenses a light, watery essence.
I love layering my essence, however, due to the high amount of denatured alcohol, I wasn't able to layer this essence much since denatured alcohol causes small bumps & pimples on me. When used in smaller amounts, I didn't find the essence irritating for my sensitive skin. I use this essence only once daily (in my night routine). After consistent use, I do find that my skin looks smoother & plumper since the essence contains glycolic, salicylic & fruit acids to gently exfoliate the skin. Unfortunately, due to the high alcohol content, I did not find the essence very hydrating. The oil microbubbles in the essence forms a light barrier on the skin, preventing the moisture from evaporating. The essence is fragrance free but smells faintly of roses & fruits since it contains rose flower water, rose flower oil & grape seed oil.
Overall, I think it is a good quality mild essence & a lovely addition to my skincare routine. It is designed to be a gentle daily exfoliating essence, which is something I prefer for my sensitive skin & avoid over-exfoliation. If you are using it during the day, I would definitely make sure to wear sunscreen on top to prevent sunspots. Since Lancome is a premium brand, I am not surprised at the high price tag even though I do wish that it is less pricey. One star was taken off due to the high amount of denatured alcohol in the formulation since it causes some trouble for my sensitive skin type.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a luxurious product with mild exfoliating properties. Even though this essence claims to be suitable for sensitive skin, I would still be a little cautious if you have very sensitive skin type. This is my first time trying any skincare from Lancome & I am really happy with the overall experience.
Lovely and lightweight
When I first received this product, I was blown away by how luxe it looks and the size and value of it. I was so excited to use it!
Unfortunately, as a few others have mentioned, the bottle clearly states that it is formulated for Asian skin. This was really confusing as I couldn't understand if I was selected by accident or if it's ok for all skin types. I tried it anyway, and while the feel of the product was lovely and it was very hydrating as well as clarifying, some part of me still felt like I shouldn't be using it (I'm not Asian).
My advice to Lancome would be to not isolate your products to one race, as I'm sure it was perfectly fine to use on my European skin, but every time I applied it, I didn't feel right or happy using it.
That aside, the product really does what it says, it exfoliates beautifully without irritation (I'm a pretty seasoned acid user so I didn't expect any issues anyway). My skin felt lovely and hydrated and baby soft and smooth. And I'm confident that it was this product alone that made the difference, as I tend to stop using everything else except cleanser when I'm trialing a product. I could definitely use this as a stand alone when I'm running short on time.
Hydrating Essence
I love Lancome products and this dual essence is another one I enjoyed. The texture is light and watery, easily absorbed and while it does have a bit of a scent, I didn't mind this as it smells refreshing and has a slight sweetness to it.
I use this essence after cleansing and toning and it leaves my skin hydrated and plump. In terms of brightening, I didn't notice much difference but perhaps with more consistent use the difference will show overtime. Overall, this is a lovely essence that I'm happy to incorporate into my routine for added hydration.
Luxurious daily ritual
The beautiful glass bottle and the fresh, light scent made using this essence everyday feel like a luxurious ritual. The scent reminded me of lychees. I had no problems in applying it – I splash a few drops into my hand, then rub my (clean) hands together and apply it over my face. This way I had no wastage or spillage of the product. Immediately after application my skin felt supple and moisturised, and it removed that tight feeling I get after cleansing. My moisturiser glided on so smoothly afterwards. After a few weeks, I did notice that my skin looked smoother and the pores tighter. I’m not sure about the brightening effect though. Although I did enjoy and am happy with this essence, I am not sure I could recommend someone to pay as much as $150 for it
Great for hydrating and balancing skin tone
I'm torn with this product. I was quite happy with the immediate results after one use. Immediately after applying my skin is well hydrated and feels softer and energised. It also reduces redness and noticeably evens skin tone.
However I didn't notice any major improvements after 1 week of use. I persisted with the product but even after using for 4 weeks there were no major improvements in my skin apart from the immediate benefits directly after the essence was applied.
For this price point, I would hope for a product that provides both immediate benefits as well as long term benefits - however it doesn't deliver on the latter.
The scent is pleasant and very subtle. The formula is so light it could almost be confused for water. That being said I haven't found a product as light as this that leaves my skin so well hydrated and calm after one use.
Hydrating essence
Lancôme clarifique was a perfect product to apply before using my serums as it softened and dampened my skin and prepped my skin to better absorb my actives. The dual phase helped to increase moisture in my skin, leaving it feeling really soft without feeling greasy at all.
Not sure I saw much difference in skin brightness, but I normally find skin changes from topical products are normally pretty subtle.
The packaging is a sturdy glass bottle which gave it a more luxury feel. Unlike other reviews, I had no issues with the packaging.
Underwhelming
The short: I had high hopes for this product, but unfortunately it fell flat for me, as I didn’t see any noticeable difference after a month of use.
The long:
The Clarifique Dual Essence by Lancôme promises to brighten your skin, give it a glow and promote cell renewal. The promotional material mentions glycolic acid (presumably to chemically exfoliate) and Vitamin C (to brighten) as some of the stand-out ingredients, but upon inspecting the ingredients list, alcohol denat is listed as the second ingredient. Having gone to the effort of promoting that the formula is free of parabens, mineral oil and other undesirable ingredients, I find it odd that alcohol features so prominently in the mix.
I’m a regular user of glycolic acid (2x a week), so I’m no stranger to the feeling of chemical exfoliation. However, instead of the usual tingles that preceed the next-morning feeling of freshness, my skin just felt... well, kind of dry after use. I’ve chalked that up to the denatured alcohol, which is a well-known cause of that dehydrated, tight feeling you get after using some skincare.
I also was really adverse to the smell - I loathe fragranced skincare and I felt this had quite a strong scent.
All in all, I feel like this essence promises so much more than it can deliver. Sometimes trying to do it all can mean you end up achieving nothing, and this is what has happened here.
I’m giving one star for the fabulous bottle design, including the whisk - that is very cool!
Beautiful product just a tad expensive!
This is another lovely product from Lancome. I have used their items in the past and I love the gentleness on the skin and the feeling of luminosity and plumpness that comes from using them. I used this morning and night, it is a bit messy, a pump bottle or dripper would be much easier. A rally lovely addition to my routine.
But... for the price I would not purchase, there are so many other lovely products out from many brands, that are far cheaper and easier to use, as it is not a "miracle" product I'm not sure the spend is justified.
Not for me
Prior to trying this Lancome Clarifique Dual Essence, I had used SKII Essence for it's great reviews, however could tell there was very minimal difference to my skin. I was keen to give this product a go to make a comparison between the two, especially with Lancome being such a well known and expensive brand. After cleansing I would pat the Lancome Essence onto my face (using my hands as pads would soak too much product) and followed this with a serum. After a couple months usage, I am not certain that I can see much changes or improvements to the texture of my skin or how well it's helped my other skincare products absorb. Similar to the previous essence I had used, I am a little disappointed as I have read that using an essence is important however I have yet to see much benefits of doing so. Perhaps more time is needed to notice any dramatic changes. Overall I probably would not purchase or try again.
Like a primer but for your skin care
I really liked this one! So glad I got to try it. I have used SK-II essence in the past and didn't think much of it, so was curious to try this one. I tried it in a few different ways to see what worked best for my skin and routine - some ways worked well and others made no difference so if using it, I recommend trialing it with different products before giving up on it! I found it fit best in my routine after toner but before my moisturiser. It also would be ok used instead of toner however this made my pores huge! So I had to go back to using my toner first. I was absolutely blown away though on the nights I used my laneige night mask! Wow my skin was incredibly bright, plump and fine lines were completely gone for the day! I didn't even need any foundation the day after! The only critique I have was for the packaging and directions/instructions. I feel there was not much information in the box on how to use it so I had to turn to the internet to do my own research. I loved the "in built whisk" and found that very effective however there needs to be a better delivery system like a pump or something? As it just poured out everywhere. Apart from this, it is a lovely product. Yes it is expensive but I have used it now morning and night for 6 weeks and have only used a third of the bottle so it is very long lasting! I know adding an extra step into my routine is not ideal, however I do find this product is worth it!
I wanted to like this SO much
I'm a big Lancome fan so I was incredibly excited to try this! I've heard of essences before but had never incorporated it into my skincare, so I thought this would be perfect for me!
Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
The good parts: The bottle is SUPER luxe, and the internal whisk made mixing the solution very easy. I found the dispenser a little tricky to use, but generally I was able to pour the amount I wanted onto my palm. This product smells AMAZING. It has a very subtle floral scent, which I absolutely loved. It also sank into the skin very quickly, allowing me to move onto my serums.
The downsides: This product made my skin SO OILY. I already have oily skin, and this just made my skin go absolutely haywire. A quick look at the ingredients list made me realise why - the second ingredient is denatured alcohol, which is INCREDIBLY drying to the skin. For someone with oily skin to start with, this drying effect sent my skin into overdrive to try and offset the dryness.
The product also states that it's designed specifically for Asian skin, but doesn't go into detail about how it goes about doing this - something I'd be keen to find out more about!
Nice product but too pricey
I have enjoyed including this product into my skincare routine. I usually tone first and then use this product afterwards. It's nice to use in the morning, especially on days I'm not wearing makeup, as it gives my skin a nice, glowing finish. I have noticed some bumpy texture, especially on my forehead (I never have breakouts on my forehead), and haven't switched up or added anything into my routine other than this. Other than that, I found it had positive benefits, and helped keep my skin hydrated. I didn't notice huge, dramatic changes. The packaging was nice, I like the glass bottle and how weighted it feels. I didn't have much trouble with getting the product out, and applied with my hands. Overall, this is a nice product but I don't think it's worth the price. I probably won't repurchase - not because there's an issue with the product, but because it's too high a price point for what it delivers.
Hefty Price tag...
Am I missing something? Unfortunately I think what you are paying for with this product is the brand name. I was really excited to try this product and of course with Lancome being the iconic beauty powerhouse that it is, I had VERY high expectations. Maybe its my fault for looking for a miracle. The essence itself is pleasant smelling and leaves your face feeling refreshed. It is also a very simple step to add to your beauty routine. I did not see any huge improvements with my complexion (admittedly not bad to begin with). It also does state on the bottle that it is suited to Asian skin types (not for me?). I just don't think its worth the price tag...