Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream Review

I've never bought into the whole multi million pound business of anti ageing products. I truly believe that with a good skincare routine, using an SPF every day, exercise and diet (blah blah blah) is a good enough effort in keeping the signs of ageing at bay.  Saying that I am all for a quick fix and I'd be lying if I said I don't get a little bit excited when something claims to make my life easier! I was sent the Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream recently and I have indeed discovered a little gem!

To be honest at first I didn't realise that it was a specific anti aging product, for women over 40 apparently (I am 28) had I realised this I probably wouldn't have tried the product, but having been using it for over a week when I discovered this I was already feeling the benefits and wasn't about to stop.

So, what do Clarins say about the product?   

It's a new Extra-Firming Night Cream that protects against free radicals and encourages better skin renewal. Skin becomes smoother, enriched and is noticeably more beautiful. An innovative night cream that not only addresses skin renewal and firmness, but also helps to slow the ageing process with neuro-immune protection. Formulated for women around the age of 40 with very dry skin, it helps skin to maintain its defence mechanisms and enhances vitality to keep skin looking fresh, younger-looking and velvety-matte. Proteins gently lift the skin so that lines are smoothed, features become better defined and the skin's texture is soft and smooth. Upon waking, features and relaxed, and the skin is firm and revitalised. . Glistin helps maintain the skin's nerve endings and regulates skin's functions Alfalfa firms and repairs Rosemary soothes and relaxes Silicon and Vitamin E protect against free-radicals Moringa seed oil and Shea Butter nourish and soften very dry skin

And here's the science part.... the 'Neuro Immune Protection' means that the product has broadened the fight against ageing by addressing the role that the skin’s nerve endings and immune cells play in the process. Which means that advanced skin-treatment not only targets skin cells but the skins’ entire neuro-immune system!

Sounds a bit intense huh?  Their claims are big right? 

Whatever it does, it works! Ok so it hasn't changed my life, it's only a cream, but it has significantly improved my skins' appearance and that is good enough for me.

Clarins say this is for very dry skin, in fact I have normal/combination skin and it works great for me. It absorbs into my skin beautifully without leaving it feeling greasy or overloaded with product. 

I apply in the evening after my cleansing rountine. I use about a 5p size blob (I could get away with using less if I am honest) and apply in gentle sweeping movements across my face, taking at least a minute or two to really massage into my skin.  A litte goes a long way and it's a good job really...this cream retails around £48 for 50mls (I have seen it on some websites for as little as £38)

Yes, I know -  it's not cheap and I certainly wouldn't spend this much on a product lightly, it really is worth the money for how it made my skin feel alone, however even more so when I looked at the before and after pictures and noticed the difference to the fine lines around my eyes, £48 or not,  for me the results speak for themselves!

(Both pictures were taken in natural and may I say very unforgiving :( light!, both in the same postion in the same room with the same camera to give a fair reflection)

I feel its only fair to say that I do use other products of course, I am not claiming that the entire difference is down to this product but I know for sure it's been a huge factor.

BEFORE

AFTER (4 weeks)

I don't really care that it's a product for over 40's, it has made my skin, brighter, firmer, feeling renourished, hydrated and velvety soft to touch. It feels so luxurious on my skin and I actually look forward to applying it at night!!

I am not claiming that this is the all singing all dancing wonder cream, but it really does leave my skin feeling refreshed and renewed and when I wake up in the morning my skin seems so much brighter.

After using it for 4 weeks I can really see a significant difference, the fine lines around my eyes have faded somewhat and my skin definately feels tighter.

Clarins have done it again....another MUST have product :)