Inspired by laser treatments and skin peels, the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating serum does what it promises on the bottle

I don’t usually use any skincare product that promises brightening or illuminating properties anymore, ever since I started using Vitamin C serums. They do all of that, and don’t dry out my skin, while most brightening or illuminating products do (in my experience).

However, when presented with the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating serum, I decided to make a wee exception, for selfish reasons – I generally like Filorga products!

Let’s just say that I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that I really liked my experience with this serum, and it does do what it says on the bottle, without drying out the skin 🙂

Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating Serum

Filorga is an affordable (relatively) brand of skincare that hails from France, and is known to be one of the popular French pharmacy brands. I love French pharmacy skincare, and I bought my Filorga products from Paris last time I was there, but wasn’t aware they were available locally until recent years.

I’m happy about this though, because this means we now have access to some pretty decent skincare that is effective and doesn’t bust a huge hole in our wallets!

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Inspired by aesthetic medicine, Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating Serum is inspired by laser treatment, peels and medical strobing treatments. It is tailored to reduce dark spots, even out complexion and plump skin to illuminate.

The key ingredients are vitamin C, glabridin, algae extract to target and lighten dark spots, achillea millefolium extract (a resurfacing active ingredient from plants) to even skin tone, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, encapsulated in microspheres, to plump the skin to help it reflect more light.

It also contains a peptide with antioxidant and anti-pollution properties to combat the effects of the impurities that cause dark spots and a dull complexion.

At a point in my life, I would be peeping at ingredient lists, bemoaning the fact that percentages of active ingredients were not stated, and that the lists were longer than I expected them to be.

Now, I realise I’m no chemist, and that I really should trust these product formulators more. They are after all the experts, especially if it comes from a known brand (not a fly-by-night operation). These days therefore, I consider a product based on how it works on my skin, for me. If it helps you, that’s a bonus 🙂

Lightweight, Light-textured serum

I like the pump packaging, because it is very sturdy, and pumps out the right amount each time, so there’s no need to guess how much you need. My general rule of thumb if a product comes in a pump is to use 1 pump for all over my face. If I’m feeling generous, I use 2 – it’s just me 😛

The serum has a lovely lightweight, light texture that smooths over skin very nicely and sinks in almost immediately. It’s nice because it’s not heavy or greasy. While I am comfortable with heavy products on my skin, I’m aware that most people don’t like it. So, if you don’t, then this one is for you.

Visibly evens out skin tone

The most important question to ask is – Does it work?

For me, yes it did. I wasn’t quite expecting it to!

Do note that while trying out the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive serum, I was not using any other Vitamin C product.

What I noticed after about 3 weeks was that my skin tone looked even. I won’t say “more” even, as it’s hard to gauge. As I have said often in recent times, I spend a lot of my mornings outdoors, with lots of sun exposure. About 2 years ago, when this new lifestyle started, I did find my skintone looking less even, and dark spots were more pronounced, and my skin colouring was off.

Since then, and since finding a sunscreen that works to protect my skin, I have also been actively using products with Vitamin C to keep my skin more healthy. I’d like to think that it’s been paying dividends, and that the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating Serum has helped maintain this.

If you have not used any product with Vitamin C, or if high percentages of Vitamin C mess with your skin, then this serum might be one you can try, if you want something to even out skin tone.

I cannot say for certain what it does to dark spots. I did not notice much if any lightening of any dark spots I have (which I have a lot!) but what I did notice was that my skin just looked a little brighter overall. For me, this is enough.

While Filorga may pride itself of being inspired by laser treatments, it isn’t in fact a laser treatment, nor does it give you the results you may get from a laser treatment. Do manage your expectations 🙂

What I can say is that I’m happy to use this serum, and that I will be happy to use it up. It is pleasant to use, and it delivers results I expect it to. There is a fresh scent of oranges which isn’t unpleasant, but which I’d be happier without.

I like that it isn’t drying on my skin, and that it does not otherwise irritate my skin. As a serum that brightens and even out the skin tone, you could do worse 🙂

IN A NUTSHELL

The Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating Serum claims to lighten dark spots, even out skin tone, and illuminate the skin. While I don’t notice it lightening any dark spots, it does even out skin tone quite nicely, and makes skin look clearer and brighter. It is comfortable and pleasant to use on the skin, and the packaging is compact and dispenses product well. If I weren’t such a big fan of trying out different Vitamin C serum, I would be happy to repurchase this one.

PROS:
Lightweight, light-textured serum
Skin tone looks visibly more even
Skin tone looks visibly brighter

CONS:
Tangy citrus scent

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a non-drying serum to brighten and even out skin tone

PRICE: RM356 | £62 for 30ml

WHERE TO BUY: Filorga Malaysia, Lookfantastic

For those interested, this is the ingredients list for the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Serum.

Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycereth-26, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Sucrose Palmitate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Bisabolol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Tocopherol, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid.

Have you tried the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive Illuminating Serum? Do you have a favourite illuminating serum?

I think this one’s a good one, to be honest. Much better than many more expensive ‘branded’ ones in the market. I personally prefer using a Vitamin C serum, but if you don’t want to battle the many different brands or types out there, this one’s a good place to start if brighter, more even skintone is what you want 🙂

Paris B

Disclosure: Featured products were press samples by the store for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.