I’m on a bit of a quest to test out all the clean skincare brands to find the best of the best products for my skincare routine. I’m looking to find the optimal routine that works best for my specific skin concerns – dryness, dullness, and fine lines. If you’ve been here long, you may also know that I’m a major Francophile (lover of all things French!). From the French way of life, to effortlessly chic style, and effective but low maintenance beauty routines. In that vein, I’m also very interested in French skincare and beauty brands. Because the European Union has stricter standards for their beauty products, French brands tend to have less questionable ingredients as well. One brand that has been on my radar for years is Caudalíe. I’ve previously shied away from the brand due to the expensive price tag, but I kept hearing glowing reviews. I knew I had to test out a few products to see if they were worth it. In this post, I’m sharing a little background on the brand plus a review of five Caudalíe’s best selling products.
About Caudalíe
You can read the brand’s origin story here. The French brand started in Bordeaux when Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas began using powerful antioxidants called polyphenols found in grapes to make clean beauty products. The couple launched their brand with three initial products (one being the very popular Beauty Elixir; see below for my review!) and went on to create an entire line of skincare products based around compounds found in the seeds and vines of grapes.
Caudalíe has several product lines based on your skin concerns – the Vinoperfect line for brightening and even skin tone, the Premier Cru line for deep wrinkles and aging skin (also the priciest line), and the Resveratrol Lift for fine lines and firm skin.
Caudalíe uses ‘clean’ ingredients and forgoes phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, animal products, silicones, and PEG. They use synthetic ingredients when necessary to enhance effectiveness. The brand is also committed to reducing their impact on the environment by using Forest Stewardship Council certified paper for their packaging, recycled or recyclable plastic for their products, and vegetable inks for their boxes.
Caudalíe Review
As a self professed Francophile, I knew I had to test out some of Caudalíe products. They are more pricey than most other brands I’ve used in the past. I chose to try out five products from their best sellers. These are the five products I’ve heard the most about, and those that have received glowing reviews from other beauty influencers I follow and trust.
French women are big on misting their face to ‘freshen up’, and many include this type of product in their beauty routines. It’s made with essential oils, green grapes and orange blossom water. You can use it to set your makeup, but I use it mainly as prep and the first step in my morning skincare routine. It hydrates my skin and gives it a glowy complexion. It smells SO refreshing, too. However, personally, I find it very similar to the Avéne Thermal Spring Water which doesn’t feel quite as hydrating but is a much better price point.
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence
This toner is made with glycolic acid (a chemical exfoliant), grape water, and white peony to aid in skin tone and texture and boost radiance. It’s gentle yet effective, and I really noticed a difference in the brightness of my skin after using it. It’s pricey but the bottle is huge and lasts months. I highly recommend this one and will be keeping it in my skincare routine indefinitely.
Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
This product is considered the holy grail for many a French beauty influencer. It’s an alternative to Vitamin C that is made with viniferine, a compound found in the grapevine. I definitely noticed significant improvement in the dark spots on my skin after using this product for about six weeks. If dark spots and hyperpigmentation are one of your main concerns, this product is definitely worth the price.
Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream
I had really high hopes for this eye cream given the price tag. I did see very subtle reduction in the fine lines around my eyes but not enough to justify the cost for me. I actually prefer this Biossance eye cream which I find to be much more nourishing but equally effective.
This pink clay mask removes excess oils and tightens pores for smooth and illuminated skin. I’ve been using it twice a week as recommended and love the way my skin looks and feels after use. Plus, it’s not too drying which is often the case with clay or mud masks I’ve tried in the past. At $42 and 2.5oz, it will last you a couple of months of regular use.
Shop My Favorite Products From Caudalíe
Read More:
Ilia Beauty Review
Biossance Skincare Review
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