Last year I came across a new product launch from Lancome called Dreamtone Ultimate Dark Spot Corrector serum. We don’t have it available locally yet, but it’s supposed to come in in the coming months. I first came across it on Ponikuta last year. It was eye catching to me because the bottle is a bright fuchsia pink, and something called an “Ultimate Dark Spot Corrector” definitely gets my attention.
However, one thing perturbed me, and that was the fact that it came in 3 shades. Hang on a moment now. Why does a SKINCARE PRODUCT need to come in 3 different shades? Isn’t skincare targeted at skin TYPE as opposed to skin SHADE?
Then, early this year, I came across the launch of a new product by the Dior Capture Totale called Dreamskin. I personally love the Capture Totale skincare range. It works wonders for my skin and I’m really sold on their night cream, so this new serum targeted at fighting wrinkles, reducing dark spots, redness and firming skin and acting as a skin perfector got my attention. But then I read a little further to see what made this different or special and ….. hang on a minute, why does a skincare product contain “optical ingredients”?
A bit of back-pedalling and poking around, and I came to the realisation that both these products essentially contain makeup ingredients in skincare and wait a minute… I don’t want that!
In both these serums, I noticed that even as they profess to treat skin, they also offer these “optical ingredients” which are mineral powders to trick the eye into seeing better skin. Lancome’s Dreamtone comes in 3 shades – Light, Medium and Dark – to suit different skintones. I have asked the brand people a little more about it and have been told that it is very very sheer, to give the appearance of even toned, brighter skin.
“Is it like BB Cream?” I ask.
“Oh no, it’s not very tinted at all”
“So, is it like CC Cream then? A tint of colour in the product, like a primer?” I press.
“Erm… something like that… but it’s not makeup” They hasten to add.
Puzzled yet? Yeah so was I.
Dior’s Dreamskin doesn’t say that it come in different shades, but it does contain mineral powders (mica platelets and hollow silica microspheres) which provide the optical illusion of better looking skin.
But you know what? When I use a skincare, I want it to actually help my skin. I don’t want it to trick my eye or anyone’s eye into merely seeing good skin. I actually want it to help my skin and give me that good skin that I should be seeing, regardless of whether I use the product or not. I don’t mind that a skincare product doesn’t make my skin look good when I apply it, because that’s not what I look for in a skincare product. I have makeup for that!
I will not deny that I am a little curious about the efficacy of these “skincare with makeup” products because from experience, something usually has to give. I’m comfortable with makeup containing skincare benefits. We’ve seen a lot of that come about over the years and personally, I like that. I like that I can be wearing a makeup product and have it help my skin in one way or another.
But when the roles are reversed and they start putting makeup elements or “optical ingredients” in my skincare, I balk at embracing it because I just don’t care how my skin may look with just skincare on. I’m not that insecure that I want to pretend and fool the eye into believing I have better skin than I do. With proper care, I will. So long as a skincare product helps my skin, I’m happy. That’s most important for me. If I need to fool the eye, I’d use makeup, thank you.
Update: Tracy reminded me Vichy came up with something similar last year too which she tried. I missed that because we don’t get Vichy locally but I do remember thinking it was quite strange. Probably a much more affordable option to the Lancome and Dior ones I’ve mentioned here if you want to try something as gimmicky as this! 😛
Would you be sold on a skincare product that creates the impression of having good skin? Would it make you more likely to buy into it?
You know my thoughts. I’m wary to say the least. I can’t say I’m not intrigued, because I am, but I’m wary because it begs the question whether I need to use makeup remover in the mornings, to remove this “optical ingredient” mineral powders from my skin! Perhaps I’m viewing this too simplistically, but still, it’s food for thought because I have a funny feeling that this is the start of a new skincare “thing” and I can’t say I’m all that sold …. If you’ve tried Dreamtone or Dream Skin I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😀
Paris B
yer… imagine using it at night and find smears of brownish patches all over the pillow case the next day (and I love white pillow cases!!)… 🙁
I don’t want my skin care products to contain trick-sy ingredients, no matter how expensive they might be. Also, tricking the eyes does not tackle the root of the skin problem, does it? A big no no for me.
By the way, Vichy is available in Boots Thailand. You might not want to get it here at all if you could get online order somewhere else. 🙂
Hahaha to be fair, Ting the tint doesn’t show up. Ponikuta has confirmed as much and even the Dior Dream Skin doesn’t have brown pigment in it. But I guess it’s just the idea I can’t get my head around. Why do I want to trick anyone if I’m just wearing skincare? But still I suppose it will appeal to some people or it won’t sell right? 😛 Thanks for the heads up on Vichy. I might take a look at it but Vichy in BKK is so pricey! On another note, stay safe! I’ve had to put my trip on hold for a bit 🙁
Helloo Paris! Yes I think it’s not good to come here at the moment, especially this weekend when the “suppose” election is to happen on the 2 Feb. Wise decision to postpone the trip. Bad people doing bad things to innocent people. 🙁
For the rest of us, life goes on as long as we avoid the protest sites at night (far far away from my office / home).
Ah ok what a bummer for those celebrating Chinese New Year! Good to know you’re away from the “action” Will give it a few months and hope everything simmers down 🙁
Applaud! Yes, I am with you on this – skincare should help to improve our skin and not give a false sense of good looking skin. Generally, when skincare promises on better looking skin with tone adjustor etc features…it just presses on my alert button. I was not sold on the Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator after testing it and noticed there were shiny particles. Same goes for those skincare with different skin tone choices. Just felt inappropriate. Perhaps some other ladies will be able to appreciate such features but I am the conservative lady that believes good looking skin doesn’t come instantly the moment I slap on some wonderful skincare. Any visible or subtle effect will only come in 3-6 months, even so that depends on our skin’s ability to absorb the product goodness and transform.
Yes yes! Thanks for bringing up the Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator thing. I should have mentioned it but it slipped my mind. I wasn’t sold back then and I still am not sold on it nor anything like it because it’s just too suspicious you know. Like why should I want to give my skin the impression of looking good? then again, as someone else has said, maybe it helps us fake it till we make it haha! Although I wonder when the faking will stop 😛
Makeup with skincare properties? Yes, please… Skincare with makeup properties? No, thank you….
Succinct and true! 🙂
Nooo! I want to be able to see if skincare is helping my skin – if I want makeup, I’ll wear it.
(And couldn’t it make for dirty pillowcases at night?)
Here’s the interesting thing – they wipe off clear. But the Dior SA told me not to wear at night although I don’t know about the Lancome one. Funny eh?
The lack of information is amazing in inducing us in comments Dream tone is not a skincare with make up not reflecting particles not anything It is a skin tone very deep corrector And I have been using it since its launching and took off my spots It has three variants addressing three pigmentary profiles with a common core The three of them corrects spots and evenness equally just each one corrects an extra issue One redness second greyish tone three acne marks Believe me I use one and I am not afraid to go bare skin
It is just skin care evolves the same way as our skin issues