Let’s face it, acne is still one of our top skincare concerns. No longer confined to the trenches of our teenage years, acne-prone skin is something that many of us (no matter what our age) have accepted as an inevitable fact of life.
Enter salicylic acid. This heroic ingredient – which is derived from willow bark – has long been lauded for its acne-fighting properties. And with good reason: it’s a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which means it penetrates deep into the epidermis to unclog oily pores. So, when Caudalie announced it was releasing a Blemish Control Salicylic Serum as part of its Vinopure range, we leapt at the chance to test it out.
At GLAMOUR, we’re always on the lookout for natural solutions to acne-prone skin, which still use powerful ingredients (ahem, did we mention salicylic acid?) to deliver results. And with Caudalie’s Vinopure range – boasting ingredients such as pore-tightening niacinamide (AKA vitamin B3) and antioxidant polyphenols (the good stuff you find in berries) – we may just be in luck.
It’s also worth noting that a study of women who tested the range (including the Purifying Gel Cleanser, Purifying Toner, Blemish Control Salicylic Serum, and Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid) found that 63% reported fewer blemishes within a single week, which is *pretty* major. Nevertheless, we had to see for ourselves.
We decided to put Caudalie’s Vinopure range (particularly that serum) to the test, asking five people of different ages and skin tones to incorporate it into their skincare routines, and report back.
The products:
The verdict:
Ali Pantony, GLAMOUR’s Acting Website Director
For as long as I can remember, I’ve suffered with acne-prone skin. Throw in combination skin (oil-prone T-zone and dry cheeks – tale as old as time) and finding skincare that keeps grown-up blemishes at bay, while leaving skin soft and nourished is… well, it’s a struggle.
Enter the Caudalie Vinopure range. I remember a previous iteration of this range landing on my desk as a lifestyle journalist many (many) moons ago, and can recall my skin lapping it up then. So to say I was excited to try the new-and-improved range is a whopping great big understatement.
The hero product for me was the serum, which got to work on my blemishes straight away and bowled me over with the results. In just five days, the red pigmentation on my right cheek has reduced to almost nothing, the pimple on my chin has vanished and my complexion is clearer, healthier and full of glow. I was absolutely right to be excited about this range.
Rating: 9/10
Bandi Manzini, GLAMOUR’s Partnerships Director
My skincare routine has long been a battle with enlarged pores, oily skin, and – more recently – acne breakouts. It’s a constant juggle: finding a cleanser that cleanses thoroughly; a toner that won’t leave my skin feeling like sandpaper; a serum that moisturises but isn’t too heavyweight; and a moisturiser that is both hydrating and mattifying… I couldn’t be a more demanding customer!
Having read amazing reviews I was excited to try the full Vinopure range in search of that ‘holy grail’ solution to fix my myriad skin issues.
I found the Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser – with its reassuringly thick formula and subtle fragrance – a really gentle experience. I followed up with the Vinopure Purifying Toner, which has a fresh cucumber scent, and works way harder than any toner I’ve used before.
However, it’s Caudalie’s Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum that’s been the star of the show for me: calming down my temperamental skin while also being lightweight enough to work with my oily skin. Plus, the Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid beautifully seals in the serum.
After a week of using the Vinopure range, I noticed that the acne on my right cheek is less angry. Dare I say it, I might just have cracked the code.
Rating: 9/10
Katherine Lord, Digital Commerce Manager at Condé Nast Britain
Caudalie has always been part of my skincare regime, but Vinopure has shown me it should take top spot. I was really impressed with the quality of the packaging and feel of the lotions. It felt like a very luxurious moment in my otherwise normal daily face routine. The smell from the lotions combined was a little strong for me, so I recommend applying the steps with some time in between.
This past year, I’ve really tried to focus on incorporating more natural remedies to my life. The Vinopure line seems to do just that with its lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm and geranium mixture.
Some small blemishes have been reappearing on my skin due to differing factors, including the summer, mascne, general stressors of pandemic life, and now going ‘out-out’, which I want to fix before heading back to the office.
But after I trialled Caudalie’s new range, I noticed my skin became clearer, and the larger pores that I started with were nearly invisible after the fifth day. It’s also important to me that my skincare is non-photosensitising [photosensitivity can occur when ingredients react with sunlight], so that I don’t develop marks when out in the sun (as I usually like to be!), so Vinopure ticks that box for me too.
Rating: 8/10
Jessica Lam, Project Manager at Condé Nast Britain
For as long as I can remember I’ve always had problematic skin. As a teenager, I tried every product under the sun – from cleansers to antibiotics – to combat my acne. If I’m being honest, I’ve always considered Caudalie to be an ‘older person brand’, so I was curious to try its new Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum. Could it really work magic on my skin?
In comparison to some of the other products I’ve tried over the years, this one felt extremely light, and it didn’t leave any sticky, shiny residue either. What I *really* love about this product is the natural ingredients. My skin is super sensitive so it’s good to know this product won’t cause irritation. It also has a clean smell: no harsh scents of anything chemical or artificial.
It’s not a miracle worker – and doesn’t promise clear skin overnight – BUT I can see it has helped reduce the appearance of spots. I’ve only been using it for a week so I’m really excited to see what my skin is going to look like in a month’s time. No filter selfies, here I come!
Rating: 8/10
Saffy Altmeyer-Ennis, Events Manager at Condé Nast Britain
Moving into my mid twenties saw my notoriously sensitive skin slowly become more combination, veering on the oilier side. Excess sebum is one of my main concerns, which led me to use many harsh, chemical-laden products (often leaving me sporting a tomato face).
Caudalie was not a brand I thought to try for my current skin concerns, as I’ve always associated it with sensitive skin. However, I was more than happy to test its much-hyped Vinopure collection.
The first thing I noticed? All the products have a subtle scent, almost like the skincare equivalent of fresh cotton candles: ultra fresh and clean. The Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser truly does what it says and although it’s very gentle my skin did feel thoroughly clean after using.
The Vinopure Purifying Toner is my new hero product. My skin feels so purified & soft, but not sticky or tight after use – unlike when I’ve used some other toners. I also felt that the Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum was extremely light and really glided across my skin. I’m really looking forward to seeing the longer-term effects of using this.
Rating: 9/10
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.