The Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is 15 years old this year, and it’s one of the most iconic products in the brand.
I remember when I met the co-owner Mathilde Thomas, and I asked her what the Top 3 products from Caudalie were to try. Her answer included their bestselling Grape Water Spray (that I adore! 😀 ), the Beauty Elixir (that I unfortunately don’t 😛 ), and this – the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.
RELATED READING: I met Mathilde Thomas in Singapore and we had a lovely and inspiring chat about Caudalie READ HERE
This isn’t my first foray into the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. I first tried it many many years ago, in my early years of blogging, when I was first introduced to the brand.
It didn’t leave much of an impact on me, but at that time, my priorities for my skin were a little different. I was a little more idealistic, wanted to see results more quickly.
Now, with the benefit of a few years under my belt, and realism overtaking idealism, I’m revisiting the iconic Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and seeing what I think of it 🙂
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum – an icon
Mathilde Thomas says that the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a transgenerational product because it works for everyone, all skin types and all ages. This serum is made to work on scars, brighten skin, give skin radiance and even help with anyone suffering from a pregnancy mask.
It’s a bestselling product, being No. 1 in French pharmacies since 2008 and the French take their skincare fairly seriously.
The key ingredient in this radiance serum that also targets dark spots, is Viniferine, a Caudalie patented ingredient derived from grapevine sap, which they say is 62 times more effective than Vitamin C at boosting radiance and evening skin tone (and you know I love my Vitamin C!)
Viniferine prevents dark spots by controlling tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for overproduction of melanin, corrects dark spots by regulating melanin production, and illuminates by evening out the complexion.
To be fair however, I have not personally come across Viniferine used as an ingredient anywhere else (not surprising since it’s a Caudalie patent), nor many independent studies aside from what the brand itself says, so I’d just take it at face value for now.
Creamy but lightweight in texture
The Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum has an opaque white colour and is rather creamy. It is dispensed by a dropper that picks up just the right amount with each use.
On skin however, it feels lightweight and slightly watery.
It absorbs quite quickly into the skin, and I use it directly on skin after cleansing. Sometimes, I mist before I apply the serum, sometimes I don’t. It absorbs well either way.
Is it 62 times more effective than Vitamin C?
Well, that’s what Viniferine is supposed to be, but to be honest, I cannot quite say as I’m not in a lab, and I’m not a chemist 😛
What I can say is that while I was using the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum in place of a Vitamin C serum, I have not noticed as significant a result as say the Timeless Skincare Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum.
RELATED READING: One of my favourite Vitamin C serums is by Timeless Skincare, and it’s affordable too! READ HERE
As I now spend more time outdoors, my skin has taken on a little more colour, and my dark spots have become a little more noticeable.
I cannot say therefore that the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum has helped with reducing or controlling the appearance of dark spots. It hasn’t lightened any.
In terms of skin radiance however, I do notice that my skin complexion while a little more tanned, is fairly even. It is not splotchy nor blotchy. My colouring is even, and my skin does have a certain clarity.
However, I found that this serum works much better after I paired it with the Skinlex 2% Alpha Arbutin serum. My skin looked clearer, brighter and dark spots were more controlled.
RELATED READING: I’m a huge huge fan of Skinlex 2% Alpha Arbutin for a topical brightening and dark spot lightening serum! READ HERE
On its own, I’d say the results weren’t as impressive as most Vitamin C serums I’ve used.
Gentle option to Vitamin C serums
Personally, I found the results using this Vinoperfect Radiance Serum the same for me, as it was in the past – unremarkable.
It is a decent, lightweight serum that can deliver results but not very significantly. Perhaps, if you have light freckles or sun spots, you may notice some lightening with regular and diligent use twice a day, together with diligent use of sunscreen.
What I can vouch for is a more even skin tone. It isn’t drying to my skin, and it is quite comfortable. It is supposed to even out complexion, and as I’m diligently using Vitamin C serums and dabbling in alpha arbutin serums, it serves as a very gentle option to Vitamin C serums.
While most people can tolerate the use of Vitamin C on skin, some can’t, and this might then be the next best option.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a lightweight emulsion texture that absorbs readily into the skin. It is supposed to address uneven skin tone and lighten dark spots. While I don’t personally notice much improvement in my dark spots, I do notice that my skin complexion is kept even and clear. I’d consider this as a more gentle option to other more potent radiance-boosting serums in the market. It works, but just.
PROS:
Lightweight emulsion texture is comfortable on skin
Can even out skin tone with diligent useCONS:
Does not noticeably fade dark spots
Needs diligence to notice results
Pricey
Dropper can sometimes pick up inconsistent amounts of productWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a more gentle, natural approach to radiant skin
PRICE: RM279 | US$79 | £46 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Caudalie stores, Ken’s Apothecary stores and online, Sephora, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, Lookfantastic, Asos
Here is the ingredients list for the Caudaline Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin*, Squalane*, Tocopheryl Acetate*, Ceteareth-20*, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract*, Glyceryl Stearate Se*, Parfum (Fragrance), Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate*. *Plant origin.
Have you tried the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum? Did it work for you?
It’s been around for so long, I’m sure you would have come across it at some point of your beauty journey. Did you sample it at any point in time?
Paris B
Disclosure: Featured products were press samples by the brand for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.
I have sampled a deluxe bottle. Agree with you that it absorbs quickly but it smells too strong for me ( bad sample perhaps?) Am not a herb / grassy scent fan, its beauty elixir though comfortable in texture, puts me off immensely with its scent). I’d much prefer Caudalie dark spot serum, which has a thicker but also fast absorbing texture and moisturizing too. More importantly, its dark spot serum doesn’t have that smell of herb 😀
I’m not a fan of Beauty Elixir at all! I’m not even sure it’s worth the raves, although I use it to set makeup and it works for me that way LOL!