One of my favorite heritage driven brands, I discovered Darphin when I purchased my very first facial oil over a decade ago. The Niaouli formula saved my insanely congested and rebellious skin circa 2002. Fast forward to the same skin looking pretty good but slowly losing its youthful glow. When you’re in your mid-thirties, *that* radiance doesn’t just happen by default.
Helping us mortals erase signs of fatigue, dehydration and dullness, Darphin launched the Lumière Essentielle Serum Oil and Oil-Gel Cream last month. A few weeks in, I am thrilled to report that my new Parisian goodies indeed deliver a rested, glowing, and plumper complexion, as promised.
What makes it all so illuminating?
Utilizing only the finest, most luxurious and effective yet gentle plant and marine extracts, Darphin serves up an impeccable blend in the new collection. Lumière Essentielle perfects the glow getting recipe by combining seven essential oils: Tangerine, Orange, Neroli, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Cedarwood and Ginger. Amazingly lightweight and on point aromatic, the airy formulas are suitable for every skin type.
Serum? Oil? Serum Oil!
The latest from Darphin is all about options. If you prefer to incorporate a lighter texture into your routine, opt for the Illuminating Oil Serum. Impressively non-oily and ultra fast absorbing, this hybrid of a gem houses 7,000 encapsulated pears of the Lumière Essentielle oil medley suspended in an anti-aging base of firming marine extract, hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and skin restoring monosaccharide. A fresh dose of potent botanicals with every pump. Pretty fancy, right?
The brand new Oil Serum layers incredibly well under any moisturizer day or night and evokes a harmonious citrus herbal aroma (you can definitely detect the ginger). The slim pump bottle will fit in the most compact TSA approved kit and trust me, you want to pack this one to fight jet lag and any travel related face-xhaustion.
Gel? Cream? Oil Gel-Cream!
Significantly more nourishing, the Illuminating Oil Gel-Cream provides the same brilliant essential oil superblend but in a cashmere soft cream base instead. All sorts of lush and posh, the whipped texture and traceless application result in lasting comfort and all day protection against environmental aggressors. Fantastic over the Serum Oil, or any serum really, this moisturizing formula feels weightless on the skin. Plumping and softening, the Gel-Cream leaves the complexion feeling and looking rejuvenated almost instantly.
Lumière Essentielle Serum Oil ($88) and Oil Gel-Cream ($72) are available on darphin.com.
*press samples
