Caudalie Vinoperfect Range, Review
Here to brighten your [skincare] day
Foreword
Let's dive into the world of French vineyards, white peonies and grape wine sap (62 times more effective than Vitamin C, no less!). In today's post I am going to share all there is to know about an entire Caudalie Vinoperfect skin brightening collection; whether it is a serum or even hand cream that you are interested in - I hope you find this article helpful.
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling.
My Skin: dry, sensitive
About the Range
Vinoperfect line is here to promote flawless complexion, minimize the look of dark spots, even out and brighten your skin tone. These products are suitable for all skin types [including sensitive] and are labeled as clean and vegan. The brand, however, is no longer considered cruelty-free (read full statement here).
Currently there are five products in the collection, two of which are new to the skincare scene:
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence
Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Serum
Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer ✨ new ✨
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream
Vinoperfect Brightening Hand Cream ✨ new ✨
Make sure to wear SPF when using these products. Glycolic acid may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun.
Essence
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence (49 USD; Made in France) is packed with potent ingredients like plant-derived Glycolic Acid, Organic Grape Water and White Peony Extract to reveal luminous and smooth skin.
I have had this guy in my routine since 2018 (original review here) and it is still a favorite. Although it might not be the most hydrating toner/essence that you will come across, as far as skin radiance and texture are concerned - it will deliver. If you are new to the "Glycolic" or AHA scene in general, then it is worth mentioning that a formula like this might cause a tingling sensation at first, however, this is nothing to panic about. Since this acid is known for effectively exfoliating the outermost layer of dead cells and boosting collagen production, it penetrates skin deeply and some people need time to get used to it.
A formula like this is perfect for gradually erasing skin pigmentation, tightening pores, cleaning out blackheads and smoothing out the skin. When used daily, you start seeing results within two weeks. It does make my skin a bit dry, but when used together with a hydrating serum or cream (plus gentle physical exfoliator once a week), it works just fine. Not something I use daily at the moment, but if you are on a hunt for a mild Glycolic Acid toner/essence - this could be the one.
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence has a very light, [hard to label] herbal scent. It does not linger, disappearing almost immediately.
Serum
Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Serum (79 USD; Made in France) is a complexion correcting radiance serum and probably the most iconic product that the brand's founders have ever invented.
If you only want to invest in one product out of everything mentioned in this article, go for this gem. I have gone through more bottles of this serum than I am willing to admit and at this point I feel like it will forever be a part of my AM regimen (more about it here). It is not every day that you come across a "life-changing" skincare product (at least I wouldn't throw around claims this big unless I was 100% confident), but oh boy! It truly is amazing.
What makes it so special you ask? If you are prone to getting those really annoying post-breakout dark spots (or scarring) that take literally forever to heal, then you are going to love it. This is a highly concentrated, oil-free serum powered by Grape Wine Sap (62 times more effective at brightening than Vitamin C) that will visibly lighten [and in some cases erase] acne scarring and pigmentation. It is gentle, lightweight (never greasy or sticky), hydrating and even a touch plumping. Skin becomes more radiant, clear and smooth as days go by. You can easily pair it with any moisturizer you already own and love.
Results do take time, but with daily use you will notice just how much faster your skin will heal itself during and after breaking out. I have come across reviews of Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Serum where people mentioned that it effectively lightened post chemo-therapy skin pigmentation, which honestly makes me love this product even more.
The only downside is that you really need to splurge on a full-sized bottle and apply it consistently to see an improvement. I have heard some people say it didn't work for them, but then they have only tried a tiny sample. Sadly, one time use of a 3 ml sample [of any serum] won't do the trick.
Moisturizer & Night Cream
Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer (59 USD; Made in France) is the brand's newest family member, created specifically for your morning routine. This oil-free, gel moisturizer claims to reduce the look of dark spots, even out skin tone and boost some glow.
Some of the key ingredients here are: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Olive Squalane, White Peony Extract and Vinifrene. It has a very pleasant, fresh herbal scent. I do not mind it, as I find that it does not linger on my skin and I have not experienced any irritation during a period of time that I have been testing it.
I would describe texture more like a hybrid between gel and cream. I have used gel moisturizers in the past that were not hydrating enough; this one, however, is a bit more concentrated and quite nourishing for my dry skin (bonus points for that). It gets absorbed in a matter of one minute or two, giving an instant refreshing and hydrating feeling to the skin. I use about a pea-sized amount of product for my entire face and so far it has been working wonderfully for me. I have not experienced any pilling on its own or in combination with makeup products or SPF.
It is too soon to tell whether the new Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer is going replace my holy-grail Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (more about it here), but so far I am enjoying it and have nothing to complain about. Having said that, I will post updates on Instagram and this blog as I continue to test and use this product.
Update (11/08/20): while I will still continue to use Moisturizing Sorbet, I can only speak highly of the new formula. After using it for over two months now, I can see that my skin has become visibly brighter, smoother and overall glowing. Even on my driest/irritated skin days, it works like magic at calming and hydrating. I highly recommend Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer, as it lives up to its claims and surprisingly feels quite rich and nourishing for a gel moisturizer.
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream (65 USD; Made in France) is a potent, rich night cream infused with Papaya Extract, Glycolic Acid and Vinifrene that is supposed to (similarly to every other product in this line) help with skin discoloration, dark spots and uneven texture.
I have had this product as part of my PM skincare routine for well over a year and at this point it is safe to say that it stood the test of time. While it is not something I would use on a daily basis, whenever I feel like my skin is going haywire (hormonal breakouts, clogged pores or little bumps on the forehead) I reach out for it right away. I find that with this concentrated formula you are able to see results even after two consecutive nights of using it.
I personally find that it effectively calms down any existing breakouts and tightens pores in one go. Plus, unlike with most AHA serums, here you do not have to worry about layering an additional hydrating product - you get both Glycolic Acid and cream in one.
Now, with Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream in particular, I feel like I do need to follow up with a gentle physical exfoliator to buff away any dry patches that usually appear through my T-zone. If you are also looking for one, I would highly recommend the brand's Deep Cleansing Exfoliator. Think of it as a natural, no drama skin polish.