Yummy Mummy Kat asked me to comment on Caudalie products.
While it is difficult to review an entire collection on this blog I decided to look at one of their more popular and expensive products.
Caudalie is a skincare company that gets many things correct and they certainly pay a great attention to the details of quality ingredients while not using harmful irritants. Where they come up short is the science to back their claims. In traditional cosmetics “scientific” research they use extremely small sample groups (12 women) to generate statistics to sell the efficacy of their formulas. Let me say this – a sample group of 12 women is not a scientific study and the results attributed to such research should be completely dismissed.
Caudalie Premier Cru La Crème ($180 for 50 mL)
Pros
1. An excellent all purpose formula with lipid identical ingredients
2. Fee from fragrances, dyes, chemical preservatives – all plusses
3. Cell communicating peptides to deliver maximum results in a very short period of time
Cons
1. Some plant oils included could be irritating for sensitive skins
2. The “vinotherapy” angle is just a remarketing of phenol formulas that have been around for many years
3. Nothing truly revolutionary in the formula that would justify the price – there are many generic formulas in the drug store with many of the same ingredients.
Overall
A good moisturizer with all the right types of ingredients that I consider to be beneficial for the skin. Overpriced for what it is – there is not a single ingredient used that cannot be found on dozens of less expensive lines.
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I am leaving for vacation today so this will be my last blog until August 22. Before the Autumn season is upon us I wanted to leave you with some thoughts about basic beauty myths that seem to persist for generations. Here is a quick list of myths and the truth about each.
Beauty sleep is a myth – FALSE
When we rest, all of our body systems regenerate and the skin is no exception. No beauty product can replace the effects of a proper night’s rest. The skin will always look better when the body is rested
Split ends can be repaired – FALSE
Once the hair shaft is split there is no over the counter remedy. The only solution is a haircut.
Alcohol free products are best for the skin – TRUE
Drying alcohols speed up free radical damage, deplete the skin of water and cause premature ageing.
Women and men have different skin – FALSE
Skin is skin – from a cosmetic point of view all skin needs cleaning and moisturizing. Gender is irrelevant.
Tweezing causes brows to stop growing – TRUE
The brow hair shaft is extremely delicate and repeated tweezing will eventually damage the follicle enough to stop the growth of hair.
Shaving causes hair to grow thicker – FALSE
Hair grows at the same thickness unless the follicle is damaged. Before one starts to shave, the hair shaft is tapered and looks thin, once shaving starts the shaft no longer grows to the taper and the hair appears thicker because stubble is only the base of the shaft not the tapered end.
Recently I got into a lengthy conversation with an aesthetician about proper skincare. She and I had some very differing viewpoints on what constitutes essential treatment for skin.
Here is my list of Must Have skincare and Don’t Even Use skincare:
Must Have – as in this is the essential list for all skin:
1. Cleanser – a well formulated, soap free, pH balanced cleanser is the most important part of any skincare program. A cleanser should be pH balanced to 6.5 to be effective and yes they can be used around the eyes if formulated properly.
2. Moisturizer – a non-petroleum based formula is best for all skin. A moisturizer should provide hydration and nourishment but not clog the pores. Skip any that have fragrance or dyes because these will be the first to cause irritation. Also drying alcohols do not belong in a moisturizer.
3. Sunscreen – a separate sunscreen is a must. Reapply frequently to maintain the protection level.
Don’t Even Use – as in these are a waste of money:
1. Toner – mostly water or worse drying alcohol. Either way they offer no substantial benefit to over all skin health. Splashing your face with warm water will give you about the same results.
2. Eye Cream – there is no evidence that shows the eye area needs different creams than the rest of the face. Most eye creams are the exact same formula as the matching face creams, they're just in smaller jars at three times the price.
3. Night Cream – a well formulated moisturizer can be used both day and night. Separate night creams usually are very similar formulas as the matching day creams just with more thickening agents. Truth is a day cream works just as well at night.
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