This Is the Best-Selling Serum in French Pharmacies
Finding a beauty product you love is a double-edged sword: On the one hand, it's a relief to find something that works for you, but on the other, you realize your obsession will cost you a pretty penny over the years. Several years ago, I got hooked on Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($80) and have since purchased at least 15 bottles. No, I don't want to do the math and find out how much that's cost me! I'm clearly not the only one smitten: In the brand's recent Instagram post, Caudalie proclaims that it's the best-selling serum at French pharmacies and that one bottle sells every 30 seconds around the world. Impressive.
So why do I love the serum? Let me count thy ways. First, the texture: it has a lightweight, milky feel that glides on very easily. It really wakes up my skin instantly, especially when my face looks as tired as I feel. It makes my face look glowy, fresh, and more even. Over time, it also helps brighten my post-acne marks, which is what I originally sought out the product for. Be patient with results, though, as the marks won't fade right away. The serum's ingredient that helps with dark spots is called viniferine, which is derived from grapes. Last but not least, it basically doubles as a moisturizer for my oily/combination skin. If you have dryer skin, you'll probably want to add a heavier moisturizer, but I have felt that it's great on its own for me.
Without further ado, scroll down to shop the uber-popular serum as well as other best-sellers from Caudalie.
Shop the Serum
Other ingredients include soothing chamomile and moisturizing grape water. Plus, you don't need to take my word for it: This serum boasts over 1500 five-star reviews at Sephora and 90 five-star reviews at Dermstore.
Shop More Affordable Alternatives
You simply can't beat the price on this lightweight, hydrating $20 serum, which is packed with vitamin C, licorice root, and palmaria palmata extracts, which all work to brighten skin and inhibit pigmentation. The formula's niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, also helps to even out skin tone. It has a lot of the same great effects as Caudalie's serum but at a much more affordable price point. What's not to love?
While Caudalie's serum is derived from grapes, this one by Paula's Choice is made with other antioxidant-rich berries like raspberry, blackberry, and magnolia berry to help repair sun damage, calm skin, brighten and protect against environmental damage.
Have you noticed a theme in most of these brightening serums? Many of them are powered by fruit derivatives. This one, in particular, has pineapple juice, which helps brighten, smooth, and moisturize your skin. It also has vitamin C for additional brightening effects, as well as chamomile to ensure the serum is gentle and soothing. Plus, it has a whopping 578 five-star reviews at Sephora.
Like Caudalie's version, this serum also kills two birds with one stone, helping with both dark spots and dryness. This formula boasts sake to brighten and caffeine to detoxify.
There's a reason that The Ordinary has a cult following: The brand's formulas are packed with high-performing ingredients without the high price tags. Hyaluronic acid and L-ascorbic acid work together in this product to help with fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin.
While serums are great for everyday use, a mask is a great supplement to give your skin an extra boost every once in a while. This $10 one can be used for at least 12 applications, so it only costs about 83 cents per use. Tumeric is rich in antioxidants to brighten and even skin tone, while red kaolin clay helps exfoliate the skin.
This brightening mask has a cult following at Sephora, with over 150 five-star reviews. It helps with dullness, dryness, and dark circles with clean ingredients like bilberry extract.
Another worthy contender in the realm of brightening serums. This one by Ole Henriksen helps with dark spots, pores, and wrinkles thanks to high levels of vitamin C. It also boasts polyhydroxy acid, which is a chemical exfoliant that sheds dead skin cells.
Like other serums listed, this is also packed with vitamin C. It's great if you're looking to reduce dark spots, reverse sun damage, and soothe redness.
Shop Caudalie's Other Best Sellers
You might remember that I waxed poetic about this salicylic acid serum last summer. It has done wonders in controlling my acne and is very gentle on my sensitive skin (and I've tried a lot of acne products). It also feels light and refreshing, which is especially great for warm weather. Don't forget to follow it up with a moisturizer and sunscreen.
This is the salicylic acid face wash accompaniment to the above serum. It's great for controlling acne and clogged pores in a gentle way.
This essence is designed to work in conjunction with the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum to boost its brightening effects. I have tried a few bottles of this stuff and can vouch for its moisturizing and glowy powers.
This is the go-to cleanser I use every day. It's a no-frills, gentle, and soothing face wash for my acne-prone skin.
Everyone is washing their hands more than ever these days, so hand creams are important. This cream is designed to soften and moisturize your hands and nails using grape seed oil, shea butter, and more.
Where my fellow acne sufferers at? This helps rid your pores of gunk, allowing for clearer skin.
This night cream has glycolic acid, which encourages cell renewal and smooths out your skin texture.
This serum has a slightly heavier feel than the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum yet is still lightweight and is formulated to focus on moisturizing rather than brightening. A great buy if you have dry skin.
The right eye cream can help you fake a good night's sleep, and this one will definitely do the trick. It boasts vitamin C, rose hip oil, and grape water to brighten and moisturize.
Next, my 68-year-old mom says these anti-aging night creams are so worth it.
Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.
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