The Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Night Cream was gifted to me by my mom, who found it lacked the moisturizing properties she desired. I eagerly accepted the opportunity to try something new. Clarins is a well-known brand that I’ve been familiar with for quite some time. In the past, I’ve indulged in their cult-favorite beauty flash balm and their soothing toner. Upon reviewing Clarins’ website, I noticed slight packaging differences in the Hydra-Essentiel night cream my mom gave me. This suggests it might be an older version. Nonetheless, I proceed with my review as the texture remains the same, and I’m unable to discern what’s new in the updated formula.
Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Night Cream
The Hydra-Essentiel Night Cream is described by Clarins as having an airy and creamy texture that instantly melts right into the skin. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid, plant extract and squalane that helps hydrate and plump the skin. The Squalane reinforces a hydrolipidic film preventing evaporating water loss through the night.
Texture and Performance
The Hydra-Essentiel night cream from Clarins boasts an interesting texture akin to a whipped silicone primer. While it initially moisturizes, it quickly absorbs, leaving the skin with a matte finish rather than the dewy glow I’m accustomed to from night creams It’s not quite on par with regular night creams, especially during winter when weather is dry.
Experience with Usage
Similar to my mom’s experience, I also found it somewhat lacking, particularly during winter. However, I found myself growing to appreciate its whipped texture despite generally preferring creams. Regarding ingredients and texture, I believe it would be better suited as a night cream for summertime. Or perhaps more humid environments. During winter, when the air lacks moisture, this cream struggles to perform its magic as it doesn’t have a lot of moisture to draw from in the air. Although the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel night cream claims to be suitable for all skin types, I found it to be more suitable for normal/combination to possibly oily skin.
My boyfriend ended up using the rest of it. He wasn’t a fan either, mostly due to the jar packaging lol. But he also found the consistency a bit pasty. It melts into the skin too quickly and one has to take a lot to work it in. Although not the same texture, it reminded us of the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Cream (review here) where one also needed a lot for it to apply smoothly. This jar only lasted about two months.
However, the scent is unisex and leans towards masculine, in my opinion. I found it very attractive on my boyfriend. While a bit heavily scented, it’s not migraine-inducing and even has an aromatherapeutic effect, making it perfect for winding down at night.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In conclusion, while the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel night cream didn’t fully meet our expectations, I would consider giving it another try during the summertime. Alternatively, exploring other products from the Hydra-Essentiel line may yield better results. Overall, it seems well-suited for individuals in their 20s and 30s, including any men and boyfriends seeking skincare solutions.
