When I’m searching for new skincare products to incorporate into my routine, I never think about how the climate impacts their efficacy. Most of the time, the conversation ends at skin type and ingredients. But with all of the travel I have planned for the spring and summer (hello, Miami), I have to find the best formulas to fit in the overweight suitcase I’ll be lugging around. And with Clarins on the market, my search for the best of the best is always short.
The brand’s worldwide best-selling anti-aging Double Serum ($132) is an editor favorite perfect for all skin types. It’s a 2-in-1 formula packed with 21 potent plant extracts (including turmeric, which is known for its powerful ant-aging properties) that’s proven to improve skin texture in just seven days. So naturally, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that this tried and true French brand launched Double Serum in a lightweight texture, which is great for oily skin and those living in warm or humid climates. Double Serum Light Texture ($132) is formulated with the same 21 potent plant extracts asthe cult-favorite Double Serum, but it’s 50% lighter in texture.
Before I make any permanent changes to my skincare routine, I always get input from my fellow editors. Beauty editor Katie Berohn and Associate Director of Special Projects Kristen Nichols are big advocates of the Double Serum franchise, and they just so happen to live on opposite sides of the country, so it was only right that they tested Double Serum Light Texture in their respective climates to give their expert opinions. (Bonus: Katie also tested it while on vacation in Monaco.) The verdict: Our editors will be keeping Clarins in tow from New York City to Los Angeles to Monaco and beyond. If you want to see how Double Serum and Double Serum Light Texture visibly firmed, smoothed, and boosted their skin’s radiance across the globe, just keep scrolling.
Katie recently got the chance to escape the cold temperatures of New York City for a few days, but she couldn’t leave without a travel kit full of Double Serum Light Texture. “I had a trip to Monaco in the books, so I wanted something hydrating but a little bit lighter weight since the weather is warmer in Monaco. I thought Double Serum Light Texture would be the perfect product to test out on the Riviera,” Katie says. As a beauty editor who tests products on the daily, Katie is no stranger to the Clarins Double Serum franchise, so opting for the lighter formula made sense. “I liked that Double Serum Light Texture has 21 of the same plant-derived actives as Double Serum but claims to be lighter on the skin,” she says.
The beautiful architecture and picturesque streets of Monaco weren’t the only things that Katie admired on her trip. You can’t deny the instant glow she got from Double Serum Light Texture coupled with that fresh European sun. “My skin looks luminous without feeling heavy. It’s the ideal serum for keeping my skin plump and moisturized. I feel like the powerful blend of plant extracts really works overtime on my skin to make it feel softer,” she says. Katie has tried several serums, but this one stands out from the rest. “I like that you can really see results almost instantly. Immediately after using Double Serum Light Texture, I feel like my skin looks lifted and has a lit-from-within glow.”
As soon as Katie touched down in New York, she reached for Double Serum’s thicker formula to account for the city’s dry, cold air. “Double Serum is such an iconic product—it’s the epitome of French skincare. It’s so hydrating, plumping, and smoothing,” she says. Katie admitted to avoiding most serums in fear of how they’ll react with other skincare products and potentially cause breakouts, but she claims that “this one honestly feels like putting on a layer of my own skin.” And Double Serum has been the perfect product to use while NYC transitions from winter to spring. “My skin has been going through a dry spell during the seasonal transition, but I find that so many moisturizing products weigh it down and don’t mimic my natural skin barrier, so I love how the ratio of water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients in Double Serum mimic my skin’s natural lipid barrier. I was also intrigued to see how ingredients like banana, mango, and kiwi would help soften my skin—it’s a skincare smoothie in the best way possible,” she says.
There’s nothing like coming home from a trip and delving into a little bit of self-care. “The Clarins application method makes me feel like I’m giving myself a facial at home,” Katie says. “It’s a really great and unexpected moment of self-care. I love the idea that your hands are skincare tools. I also think it helps my face look a bit more sculpted,” she says. According to Katie, this serum helps smooth out any fine lines and wrinkles, which is a major plus because her skin “gets dry easily, and when it’s dry, finer lines start to become more noticeable.” For Katie, Double Serum has served as an amazing confidence booster. “Since using this serum, I swear you can see my skin’s glow from outer space,” she says. “It makes my skin absolutely radiant, which makes me feel confident enough to go makeup-free.”
Kristen is known for her minimalist style, but minimalism is also a major component of her skincare routine, which focuses only on the essentials. Simplicity and effectiveness are at the top of her priority list, so Kristen’s been using Clarins since she was young. “I test-drove the Double Serum last year and was instantly impressed by its glow-boosting effect. Since I live in L.A., I was intrigued to try a lighter formula that still addresses hydration, radiance, and fine lines like the original cult-classic product,” she says. For the spring and summer months, Kristen has been in search of a hydrating, dewy glow. “Not only did I find that this is the perfect formula for everyday hydration, but it’s also the right consistency to layer underneath makeup,” she says.
Kristen is constantly seeking products that will firm and lift, reduce any dark spots from sun damage, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. “My goal is always dewy, glowy skin, and this delivers on both,” she says. “Immediately, I’ve seen a dewy glow, which combats any matte dullness that I often see when I’m not hydrating properly.” She considers Double Serum her mainstay for fall and winter when she needs an extra dose of hydration. “In the warm spring and summer months, I want that same level of hydration without overloading my skin with heavy oils that make me break out, so Double Serum Light Texture is exactly what I want to use during this half of the year,” she says.
As you can see, the proof is in the before-and-after images. If you want to add Double Serum Light Texture or any other Clarins favorites to your routine just in time for spring and summer, shop them here.
