Review of L’Oréal Paris Hydrafresh Genius range (Multi-Active Genius Water,Multi-Active Essence Cream,Water-Bursting Mask)

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L’Oréal Paris launches their latest skincare range, Hydrafresh Genius in Singapore. "Enriched with mineral-rich French Spring Water and moisturising Hyaluronic Acids, the new franchise provides deep hydration, in unbelievably innovative lightweight and refreshing textures ideal for combination to oily skin types." - This liner alone gets me hyped-up already, because as you may already know, my skin type is combination, sensitive and acne-prone... extra hydration is always welcomed. :)

This new skincare line boasts of triple hydration efficacies - intense and long-lasting, without all the unpleasant stickiness. The three products are namely Multi-Active Genius Water, Multi-Active Essence Cream and Water-Bursting Mask.

Was blessed with a complete set as pictured above, so I will be reviewing all three products. (A torchlight was included. For what purpose? Read on.)

1. HYDRAFRESH GENIUS WATER

Yes, the torchlight was for me to shine through Genius Water from the bottom, so as to see the thousands of water-bursting bubbles!

Quite an interesting sight to witness bubbles in my skincare just as in my soda; only difference is... these are "nutrients-filled, healthy" bubbles as opposed to unhealthy soda. Ha!

KEY INGREDIENTS:

FRENCH SPRING WATER:

Naturally rich in minerals to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and provide instant hydration. 

DOUBLE HA:

Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) & Microencapsulated HA+ Lipidure which boost skin’s hydration X4 within the epidermis. Delivers dual moisturizing effect for softer, smoother skin texture.

SWATCHES OF HYDRAFRESH GENIUS WATER

MY THOUGHTS

Although L'oreal is a drugstore brand, they proudly own many renown high-end beauty brands/companies under its group and that includes world-class French laboratories with extensive years of research in the beauty industry. Looking at the ingredients of this Genius Water, one can tell this drugstore toner product is unlike any other drugstore product. The ingredients used are at a higher notch, and rather innovative inclusions, I would say.

Packaging: Very pretty silver-to-turquoise gradient colour that befits the theme of "hydration, refreshing, young". Traditional toner packaging; no dispenser. Translucent at the bottom, so it's convenient for users to check when it's time for replacement.

Texture: Essence-like, slightly milky toner that works both ways as a toner and as a hydrating essence. Lightweight and absorbs quickly with ZERO stickiness, indeed!

Effectiveness: Skin is immediately soothed and hydrated. Brightening effects were visible after two days' of application.

*Scent: Mild, refreshing, floral-sweet. *Note that scent is the same across all three products.

Price: S$22.90

PRODUCT RATING: 

2. HYDRAFRESH GENIUS Multi-Active Essence Cream 

Click to enlarge image

KEY INGREDIENTS:

FRENCH SPRING WATER:

Naturally rich in minerals to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and provide instant hydration. 

DOUBLE HA:

Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) & Microencapsulated HA+ Lipidure which boost skin’s hydration X4. Delivers dual moisturizing effect for softer, smoother skin texture.

PROVITAMIN B5:

A natural moisturizer that soothes & softens skin. Retains water content to keep skin supple and radiant. 

SWATCHES OF GENIUS MULTI-ACTIVE ESSENCE CREAM 

Gently massage and cream gets absorbed as fast as within a minute!

MY THOUGHTS

This day cream is the second step after the toner; if you are used to applying serum/ampoules, you may do so before putting on this cream. Note that although this is a day cream, it does not contain SPF, so please remember to wear your own sunscreen products after this cream. Cream looks like gel in the pot, but it is in fact a very hydrating cream moisturiser. 

Package: Jar form with no spatula provided. Unhygienic if you dip your fingers in, day-in day-out.

Texture: Lightweight gel-type of cream, fast absorption after some massage. Minimal stickiness. Suitable for oily/combination skin or those living in humid climates.

Effectiveness: Skin immediately feels fresh & supple with the first application! This product contains a significant amount of silicons (with demethicone as no.4 ingredient)  hence the smoothening effect is instantly apparent. With that being said, after some days of usage, skin still continue to feel smooth & supple without any clogging; I reckon the silicons used are quite safe since my skin didn't react badly to them.

Price: S$S$25.90

PRODUCT RATING: 

3. HYDRAFRESH GENIUS Water-Bursting Mask

KEY INGREDIENTS:

FRENCH SPRING WATER:

Naturally rich in minerals to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and provide instant hydration. 

JOJOBA OIL:

Packed with vitamins and minerals, it softens dry and irritating spots and restores the skin to a well-hydrated level.

   SWATCHES OF GENIUS WATER-BURSTING MASK

After 50 minutes of application (without massage), a layer of water-bursting mask still sits on top of skin.

MY THOUGHTS

If you read the packaging carefully, you will notice it markets itself as a 5-in-1 skincare product: Mask, Sleeping mask, Essence, Cream, Primer. I can't figure out how this can be an essence, since it doesn't look nor feel like one. Apart from this aspect, I tried using as mask, sleeping mask, night cream and primer. It is okay as a 20-minute wash-off mask; also does a good job as a night cream. HOWEVER, I strongly suggest you drop the idea of using it as a sleeping mask - it never dries completely and product will transfer to your pillow. I could not regard this as a water sleeping pack - it simply did not work that way, at least not for me. As for its use as a primer, I SPARINGLY put on a very very thin layer before my BB cushion and I was pleasantly surprised to witness delightful results! It managed to hydrate my skin thoroughly and acts as a smooth barrier between my skin and makeup, thereby producing an excellent finish. Another noteworthy point is its superb oil-control properties as a primer! I believe my skin has been well-hydrated by the Genius Water and Water-bursting Mask prior to makeup application, so my face didn't over-produce sebum. Wow, such an amazing featl! *throws my expensive primers away!

Package:  Like its counterpart day cream, this is also packed in a jar, albeit a less elegant one. 

Texture: Balm-like jelly transforms into water droplets upon light application - yes, you can marginally feel & view the subtle bursting of water droplets as you rub your skin. Water droplets supposedly penetrates deep into skin, delivering further hydration. One downside of this product is it feels like it's silicon-laden, more emollient than the day cream. There is an invisible-but-ubiquitous waxy film that is hard to wash off without a cleanser.

Effectiveness: As mentioned above, effective as a night cream for oily skin as my skin feels softer after use; and worked amazingly well as a oil-control primer! Personally felt that it's not hydrating enough as a wash-off mask, and inconvenient (not to mention messy & sticky!) as a sleeping mask. IMO, it is a huge claim for any brand to market a single night cream product as 5-in-1 multipurpose "magic formula". If this was positioned as a normal night cream-gel, I'd have proceeded with reasonable expectations and might have enjoyed it even more!

• Price: S$S$29.90

PRODUCT RATING: 

OVERALL PRODUCT RATING (AS A SET):

Especially if you have combination/oily skin and is looking for an affordable, good-quality set of skincare that maintains your skin's natural water-oil balance.

Not hard to tell which is my ultimate fave from this range eh? ;)

L’Oréal Paris Hydrafresh Genius range is available in Singapore now at major department stores, beauty stores and online shopping sites. For more information, please visit: http://www.loreal-paris.com.sg/whatsnew/hydrafreshgenius/