There are also claims that because a plant's stem cells allow a plant to repair itself or survive in harsh climates, these benefits can be passed on to human skin.
It's a good thing plant stem cells can't work as stem cells in skin-care products after all, you don't want your skin to absorb cells that can grow into apples or watermelons! Plant stem cells, such as those derived from apples, melons, flowers, and rice, cannot stimulate stem cells in human skin, but because they are from plants these ingredients likely have antioxidant properties. It's actually a good thing that stem cells in skin-care products can't work as claimed because one stem cell study has revealed that they present a potential risk of cancer. Once these delicate cells are added to skin-care products, they are long dead and, therefore, useless. In fact, they likely have no effect at all because stem cells must be alive to function as stem cells. The truth is that stem cells in skin-care products do not work as claimed. The claims run the gamut, from reducing wrinkles to elastin repair and cell regeneration, so the temptation for consumers to try these is intense. Despite the fact that stem cell research is in its infancy, many cosmetics companies claim they are successfully using plant-based or human-derived stem cells in their anti-aging products. Why Stem Cells in Skin Care Don't Help: Stem cells are cells in animals and plants that are capable of becoming any other type of cell in that organism and of producing more of those cells. See More Info to learn why daily use of highly fragrant products like this is a bad idea. Clarins included several good plant extracts, but none of them are anti-aging miracle workers, and the better ones are also found in other products that don't expose your skin to irritating plant extracts and a large amount of fragrance. Related to the mint family, perilla oil is irritating (Source: It has some beneficial components, such as fatty acids and antioxidants, but there are other plant oils that offer these benefits without putting skin at risk of pro-aging irritation. One of this serum's natural ingredients is a problem for all skin types: perilla oil.
Despite Clarins' reputation as a natural line, this formula is surprisingly unnatural!
Clarins seems to be playing on the theme of plant stem cells, but as we discuss in More Info, stem cells from plants aren't a sure bet (or even a good idea) for your skin.īeyond the plant ingredient mentioned above, this serum contains far more fragrance and preservative than it does beneficial plants. The main plant extract in this serum is Oxydendrum arboretum, a shrub without a shred of research proving it has benefit for skin. Whether or not dispensing the ingredients separately matters for the skin (we can't imagine why it does), what ultimately matters is whether or not any or all of the ingredients in this fancy bottle make it the anti-aging breakthrough Clarins makes it out to be. Although previous versions of this serum listed a "hydro" (water) phase and a "lipo" (fat) phase, with two distinct ingredient lists, for this version they consolidated the ingredient lists into one. Each time you depress the pump at the top of the bottle, the serums combine, dispensing as one fluid. In many ways, this is very similar to the previous version, so really, it's more of a missed opportunity than anything else.Īs with previous generations of Double Serum, the "Complete" version houses two serums in separate chambers. Instead, you're getting a very standard, overpriced (and overly fragranced) mineral oil–based serum whose numerous plant extracts present a mixed bag of results for skin. On the other hand, a reformulation can be necessary if the goal is to keep up with the latest skin-care research-yet that doesn't seem to be the road Clarins traveled in this case. Every couple of years or so, they reformulate the previous version and re-launch, perhaps hoping you won't wonder that if the previous serum did everything it promised, why would a new one be needed?
Clarins has had a product named Double Serum in their line for years.