Stressful Days Don’t Have To Mean Stressed-Out Skin Thanks To New Clarins Multi-Active Range

When Clarins releases a new skincare product, I tend to perk up eagerly, an almost Pavlovian response developed after years of primarily positive experiences with brightening, soothing, anti-aging, and radiance-boosting formulas. This spring, when the brand released the Clarins Multi-Active Jour Creme ($53 at ClarinsUSA.com) and the Clarins Multi-Active Nuit Creme ($56 at ClarinsUSA.com), I was ecstatic to give the new duo a whirl and see how they protected, moisturized, and revived my skin — particularly since the “Multi-Active” range was devised for women who are constantly on the go and who, as a result, put their skin through some sudden changes: stretches of sleep deprivation, fluctuations in humidity and dryness due to constant traveling, the pollution we grapple with in urban hubs, hormonal shifts due to work- or life-related stress (as well as aging), and so forth. But can these creams really keep up with your lifestyle?

Well, let’s start with the Clarins Multi-Active Jour. Packaged in a pink bottle, this cream is available in several formulations: Cream for All Skin Types, Cream-Gel for Normal to Combination Skin, and Cream SPF 20. I personally tested the Clarins Multi-Active Jour Cream for all Skin Types and had a satisfactory experience with the product — even if not necessarily lie-changing.

So let me commence with all the positive aspects of the day cream. First, it smells heavenly, floral but not powdery, leafy but not mulch-y. Second, the texture is divine — likely due to the shea butter in the formula which instantly soothes and softens the skin. Third, skin feels moisturized (but not greasy) throughout the day, likely thanks to such ingredients as sodium hyaluronate, a powerful humectant that pulls moisture from the air and binds it to the skin. Fourth, it does keep skin glowing and fights aging signs by promoting exfoliation, removing dead surface skin cells to reveal more radiant layers of skin, and by kick-starting the cellular regeneration and collagen synthesis process — all thanks to the gentle but effective glycolic acid and lactic acid in the formula.

Now, some of the botanical ingredients incorporated into the formula are touted as having unprecedented benefits — among them organic teasel (scientific name Dispacus Sylvestris), which allegedly helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines related to a stressful lifestyle. I haven’t been able to find many medical studies that prove these anti-aging claims, but I do know teasel root has long been used to treat wounds, inflammation, and even acne so it might have some antiseptic and healing benefits at the very least. Myrothamnus (scientific name Myrothamnus Flabellifolia) is also listed as a breakthrough ingredient. Indigenous to the mountains of South Africa, this shrub is known as one of nature’s “resurrection plants” because it manages to survive long periods of water deprivation. The plant’s leaves are rich in quinic acid esters that have been shown to enhance DNA repair and skin resilience to UV exposure, making it an excellent ingredient for a skincare formulation.

Other ingredients included in the formula are: Sanicula Europaea, a perennial plant thought to have detoxifying properties; Furcellaria Lumbricalis, a genus of red algae that allegedly stimulates the skin’s own hyaluronic acid synthesis, thereby keeping skin hydrated; Lapsana Communis, a flower known as nipplewort, which boasts wound-healing and conditioning properties; and Diospyros mespiliformis, otherwise known as the jackal berry tree, the leaves of which contain saponins that boast anti-inflammatory properties and tannins that function as gentle astringents.

So what does this all amount to? Well, the Clarins Multi-Active Jour Cream for All Skin Types does, in fact, keep skin hydrated, smooth, and inflammation-free. I didn’t see any significant difference in terms of anti-aging benefits in as far as I felt like any fine lines I already had were still pretty visible, and it did absolutely nothing to eradicate or even diminish the appearance of existing dark spots and even out my skin tone. That said, the cream never espoused to tackle hyperpigmentation — it just promised to keep my skin looking supple and radiant even during stressful times. And, in that regard, it succeeded. I traveled from New York to Texas while using this product, encountering major temperature and humidity level changes, and did not experience any horrid breakouts, skin tightness, or any other gripes. So, yes, it kept my skin looking right as rain! But again, if you’re looking for an anti-aging cream that’s going to dramatically lift or for something to banish dark spots, this might not be your go-to. Also, if you do try out this version of the cream, remember to apply SPF protection afterward since this particular version will not shield your complexion from harmful UV rays.

Now on to the night duty portion of this skin care regimen! The Clarins Multi-Active Nuit Cream is beyond easy to love. Like the day formula, it comes in various iterations: one for Normal to Combination Skin and another for Normal to Dry Skin. Like its daytime counterpart, it smells incredible — this is literally one of the most pleasantly fragrant nighttime creams I’ve ever encountered. And like its counterpart, it, too, contains many of the aforementioned ingredients: shea butter; sodium hyaluronate; teasel extract; nipplewort flower, leaf, and stem extract; glycolic acid; lactic acid; jackal berry tree leaf extract; Sanicula Europaea extract; and Furcellaria Lumbricalis extract. But it also includes some additional nature-based actives: kiwi fruit extract, which stimulates collagen synthesis so skin can look more taut and firm; and organic California poppy flower, leaf, and stem extract, said to have skin renewing properties.

Again, this night cream promises to keep skin looking youthful, glowing, and supple – even during periods when lack of sleep, pollution, and stress would have left the complexion looking dull and fatigued. And it does deliver on these fronts. Sure, it won’t necessarily get rid of dark under-eye circles, but that’s why you need a great eye cream.

Overall, this range of products is great for women with very active lifestyles who are constantly on the move. If, however, you have very specific skin care gripes (for instance, if you want a more potent anti-aging regimen or one that better addresses discoloration), then you may have to complement your routine with some concentrated serums or peels.