Caudalie is one of those brands that has a story that males me want to try their products and to be interested in what they have to offer. Unfortunately, they’re also not cruelty free, so I won’t purchase their products, but since I had a sample size of this serum (10 ml), I decided to review it.

Caudalie is a French skin care brand founded by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, inspired by a family vineyard in Bordeaux. All their products contain key ingredients derived from grapes and from the grapevine. Natural ingredients, French skin care…I melt when I hear those words.

Packaging:

The full size serum (30 ml) comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. I got my sample size in a plastic tube which isn’t that practical because the serum is very liquidy. I think a dropper is much more practical.

Texture:

Like I said, being a serum it has the texture of a liquid. It has a white color and a subtle plant scent. It absorbs fast into the skin and it does feel a little bit sticky, but it’s something common to all serums.

Ingredients:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL*, GLYCERIN*, SQUALANE*, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE*, CETEARETH-20, PALMITOYL GRAPEVINE SHOOT EXTRACT*, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE *, BISABOLOL*, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, POTASSIUM SORBATE, XANTHAN GUM, CARBOMER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM PHYTATE* (062/043)

I don’t know if it’s just a fancy name or not, but on their website they claim that the formula contains Vineferine, a Caudalie patent with very effective anti-dark spot action. There are no mineral oils, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates or animal-derived ingredients used (then why sell where they test on animals, huh?)

Price and accessibility:

Caudalie is a quite expensive brand. The Vinoperfect Radiance Serums is sold for 46 euros on their website. Their products are available in various online shops but also in pharmacies and beauty shops. So, they may be easy accessible, but they’re expensive (for my budget).

My overall opinion:

Although I had just a mini size, it’s 1/3 of a full size product, so I think I can make an opinion about it. The serum is supposed to be used in the morning and in the evening, but I used it only in the evening just because I don’t have much time in the morning to get ready, so the sample size lasted me for about 2 weeks. A little goes a long way when it comes to this serum and you don’t need much to spread it on the face.

I can’t say anything about dark spots, because luckily I don’t have any (my issue is redness) and they also say that the anti-dark spots effect is visible after 4 weeks of using the serum. What I can say is that it makes the skin look brighter and more radiant.

I would say that if dull, tired-looking skin is something you’re struggling with, this serum is something you can try. It’s suitable for all skin types and it can be applied underneath the usual moisturizer.

It’s not a product that blew my mind, just because I’m not in the target consumer market (I don’t have issues with dark spots), but I did see some benefits in regards of making the skin look brighter and radiant. I will not purchase a full size because of the price and because Caudalie is not a cruelty free brand.