La Roche Posay • Hydraphase Intense Serum Gel Concentrate • Treatments

*TOP REVIEWER* ashleyanders on 5/12/2013 5:29:00 PM more reviews by ashleyanders

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Claims - True or False?
1) Rehydrates sensitive skin: Partly true
2) Reduces skin tightness: not tested
3) dehydration lines reduced: False

Packaging:
Comes in a pump bottle. The pump is mostly effective but if you want to use just a small amount it is harder to dispense the proper amount. The bottle seems to be either glass or a very hard plastic, and there is a secure cap that makes it good for light travel. Ingredients listed on the packaging as well.

Formula:
Since this is a serum the formula is quite thin and on the watery side. It is mostly clear, slightly cloudy grey but doesn't appear to have any colouring added to it (i don't think dyes are listed in the ingredients either). It has a VERY strong fragrance, like all of their products - kind of artificial floral. The scent is very off-putting and can be problematic for sensitive skin.

Performance:
I purchased this to be used for my eye area, which can become dried out and dehydrated pretty easily - my whole face is very much prone to dehydration. I have not tried this on my face because I am water-only for my skincare. Used on the eyes I found that it didn't really do much. if I used a large amount it would just kind of sit on the skin more so than absorb, although minimally. If used in that amount it also felt sticky on the skin. It's possible that it also dehydrated the area a little bit, or didn't provide moisture and thus didn't prevent my makeup remover from drying my skin out a bit with regular use. When used in smaller amounts it absorbs really well and doesn't leave the area feeling sticky or bothered, but I had used it a few times in the morning, and when I went to the gym later my eyes would sting or feel bothered (sweat was not running into my eyes). Ultimately it seems like this product is best used under other moisturizers and not to impart moisture on its own unless your skin is already fairly well moisturized. I've tried it on my hands too, absorbs nicely, but again doesn't seem to really moisturize enough. I feel that this would work best in conjunction with their other moisturizers in this line; I've used the legere and riche in the past for whole-face application and found that the riche moisturized best but both did not help enough with my dehydration nor with fine dehydration lines. The fragrance and ingredients were also not in agreement with my skin. I do think that this serum also broke me out a bit around the eyes sometimes, nothing major but a bit of clogging.

Bang for your Buck:
$40 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart for 30ml. Not a lot is needed but if used twice a day I could see it being used up quickly.

Final Consensus:
Not a terrible product but I feel that the price and the fact that it doesn't work well on its own to hydrate the skin makes it something that I would not repurchase. If your skin cannot tolerate most lotions though, or you need something very light, then this is worth trying out (as a sample if you can). For now I will just use it up on my hands I guess! I've moved on to coconut oil for my eyes.
* Overall Rating: 3/5
* Price: 4/5
* Packaging Quality: 4/5
* Repurchase: No

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kaicg on 4/9/2013 9:54:00 PM more reviews by kaicg

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I used a full container of this product, but I didn't really see or feel too much of a difference in the hydration of my skin. For over 40$ (CAD) I was disappointed and looking for more.

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aidan83 on 2/17/2013 9:49:00 PM more reviews by aidan83

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I have super dry skin and this product completed saved me - help the moisturizer moisturize better as well

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northerngal100 on 1/29/2013 8:17:00 PM more reviews by northerngal100

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Ok - this stuff is expensive ($42 CAN) - but it is a GODSEND for dry skin in the winter. My skin has completely changed since using this (after one week). I have tried tons of products for dry skin (I am a bit of skin care junkie) but most tend to be really heavy and just sit on your skin - which is fine to sleep with, but just gross during the day. This serum absorbs really quickly, goes on light, but does a great job moisturizing. The best comparison I have for the texture is similar to clinique's moisture surge gel, but I think this delivers more moisture (Clinique moisture surge was my go-to for a long time). It also has not caused any breakouts or irritation. I went from snakeskin (-40 C is not good for the skin) to soft, normal skin.

The only complaint is the price. It is really hard to purchase something that is pretty much the same price as the clinique moisture surge...but only a third of the amount! Oh well, you really only need one pump to do your face in the morning and, like I said, if you are desperate, it is the answer to your prayers.

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lorii1122 on 11/5/2012 2:16:00 PM more reviews by lorii1122

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I really really love this product. I was advised to use this before my regular moisturizer and not to substitute it for a moisturizer so that's what I did and my skin felt sooo smooth when I woke up in the morning. My skin has never felt so soft and plump before. I also use this in the morning and don't find it heavy at all. It absorbs extremely quickly so that I can put my moisturizer on top. The only con is that it's expensive! I got it for $38.99 and it is only 30ml. I only use 1-2 pumps and it covers my whole face. I will definitely repurchase again!

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Keeeleah on 11/4/2012 10:57:00 PM more reviews by Keeeleah

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I absolutely love this product! It is keeping my skin plump and it's a very good prep for your moisturizer. I've only purchased my first bottle last month and I'm already out of it. The only negative things I have to say about this product are that it's very expensive ($40 for 30ml) and the packaging is a little deceiving... It's a heavy metal casing which makes it seem like there is a lot of product inside when there really isn't; and when applying this, you really have to use about 3-4 pumps to get a nice even application on your skin. Overall though, it is a very nice product and I am satisfied with it considering I took a risk and switched from one of their other products for this instead. I always say La Roche-Posay's products are like milk to your skin and they really are! It's never oily or it doesn't leave any residue on your skin. It completely absorbs and your skin feels extremely refreshed and smooth! Love it!

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NattieRabbit on 9/26/2012 8:02:00 AM more reviews by NattieRabbit

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Great product! I've been using this just for a week and I can totally see the difference. My skin feels hydrated and started to have that radiant thing going on. Highly recommend :)

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monty713 on 9/11/2012 2:31:00 PM more reviews by monty713

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Just started incorporating serum into my daily routine. Was not convinced that it was needed if using good moisturizers. Turns out, I'm wrong! This serum does wonders to boost hydration and smooth out skin. A while back I used the B5 gel from skinceuticals to add moisture but for much less money, this is a superior product.

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*TOP REVIEWER* rosietse on 7/31/2012 12:42:00 AM more reviews by rosietse

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

It's still quite early for me to write this, but I had the urge to share... this stuff is great. As someone who is dry and sensitive and acne-prone (I'm about a month into accutane) this is working wonders. It hydrates extremely well and does not aggravate my skin. Also I'm not sure if you're supposed to do this, but I put a tiny amount onto my peeling lips and they stay hydrated for hours without lip balm! The price is steep but well worth it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* alexanna7 on 7/1/2012 10:05:00 PM more reviews by alexanna7

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Violet    

Hydraphase intense serum is a gel texture treatment,for rehydrating the skin of your face. It leaves your skin plumped,more radiant,fresh and moisturized! The texture of the gel is smooth and it applies really well! It stays on the skin for awhile,meaning the sensation of being hydrated! I use this one at night combined with another skincare treatment. It helps to keep my product in place and keep my skin moisturized! Love it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* laureg on 6/16/2012 10:33:00 PM more reviews by laureg

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I've gone through two bottles of the stuff now and I absolutely love it! It does such a great job of hydrating, and keeps my skin looking hydrated and plump. I've not used an HA serum before, so this is my first and I haven't anything to compare it to. That said, I am dehydrated and oily, and this product gives such good hydration that my skin has cut back significantly on it's oil production. I use this daily underneath regular sunscreen, or under the Hydraphase UV (spf 30 which also contains HA) if I want some extra moisture. I look forward to seeing how well this product works in the winter months, when it's really cold and dry. It's $41 CAD for a 30 ml bottle.

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