Grape expectations
The juicy, fleshy fruit is used in a new skincare range that plumps up younger but dehydrated skin. By AMANDA LAI
Most of us live in an airconditioned bubble 24/7 – blame it on our warm and humid climate. The result: Our skin dehydrates easily and needs all the help it can get, because well-moisturised skin means plump, supple and youthfullooking skin.
Like its name suggests, the new L’Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh skincare range is all about keeping your complexion hydrated and fresh. We’d recommend it for those in their twenties who may not yet see signs of ageing, but whose skin needs a moisture boost. It uses grapeseed extract from grapes from vineyards in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France, which is said to help skin retain moisture better.
The range consists of a foaming cleanser, a softening toner, a watery serum (dubbed a “mask-in lotion” by the brand) and a moisturiser.
I particularly enjoyed using the Hydra Fresh Hydrating Softening Spa Water ($19.90) and the Hydra Fresh Hydration + Antiox Active Mask-in Lotion ($22.90). Both have a fresh floral scent and a liquid consistency that my skin just soaked up. They left my skin plump and moist, without feeling sticky.
The Spa Water, a toner that contains water from the Vosges Mountains in France – which is packed with minerals – helps soften skin and strengthens its moisture barrier. In addition to grapeseed extract, the Mask-in Lotion contains double hyaluronic acid for antioxidant protection and moisture retention. On some nights, I’d soak cotton pads with the Mask-in Lotion and place them on my cheeks while I watch TV. Doing so costs less than using a sheet mask, but is every bit as effective in plumping up my skin.
Just before going to bed, I seal in all the moisture by slathering on the Hydra Fresh Hydration + Antiox Active Supreme Emulsion ($25.90). It has an oil-in-water formula that feels like a gel and doesn’t leave a greasy film, so I don’t have to worry about breakouts.
After a week, I definitely feel that my skin has benefited from the simpler routine – it’s now clearer, with none of the flakiness or red patches it used to have. My nasolabial lines also look less obvious and, overall, my skin feels smoother.