Give Your Skin a Boost with these Clarins Skin Boosters!

Blessed Christmas everybody!!  I hope you are having a wonderful time with your friends and family, at the very least kicking back and enjoying a relaxing time.  We’ve all been working hard all year (whether in school, at work, or at home with our families), so it is time to take a well-deserved break!  And for our skin as well, all those burning the late-night oil, traveling and over-eating is bound to show up somehow, which is why I thought it’d be timely to share with you these nifty little skin saviours that I’ve been absolutely loving for the past couple of months!

Clarins Skin Boosters are little amped up bottles of intensive treats for the skin that are designed to work with your existing skincare routine.  They address specific occasional skincare woes that may occur due to lifestyle and/or environment.  I love that Clarins has thoughtfully created these little powerhouses that I can pick up and mix and match as I need, without having to invest heavily in entire skincare ranges to replace what I already have, only for a passing phase.

The bottles contain 15ml of product [as opposed to 30ml in a typical serum], but you only need 3-5 drops for each application.  There is a built-in dropper mechanism to help you get the right dosage each time – simply hold the bottle with the tip down facing your palm and gently press on the base of the bottle.

There are 3 Claris Skin Boosters to choose from:

• Detox is designed to help skin combat environmental and lifestyle stresses such as smoke, pollution and late nights (been partying much?).  It contains green coffee extract which is high in antioxidants that help to combat free radicals; Chlorogenic acid that boosts metabolism; and is an excellent natural detox as well.  By supporting the skin’s ability to remove toxin build up, the skin can return to its normal healthy state.  Full list of ingredients may be found below:

• Repair is perfect if you have been traveling, and your skin is stressed out and uncomfortable from having to deal with sudden changes in weather conditions (all day lounging by the beach, skiing in arctic conditions, even from just sitting in a long flight!) and hard water.  It contains Mimosa Tenuiflora, a shrub that is found in a narrow strip of land 800-1000m above sea level in Mexican Chiapas, and is known to repair damaged epidermis.  It is an anti-microbial, an analgesic agent, and a powerful cellular regenerator.  Here is the full list of ingredients:

• Energy is the one to start your new year with, to stimulate, revitalise and plump up your skin.  It contains Ginseng which has anti-inflammatory properties, boosts collagen synthesis (and thereby alleviating the signs of wrinkles), and even brightens the skin tone.  Full list of the ingredients may be found here:

I have travelled with the Clarins Repair Booster, and found that it really protected my skin from bitter cold winds.  It does so much more than just hydrate and protect, but it also soothes and keeps my skin from exhibiting its usual red sensitive patches.  Clarins Detox Booster has become a daily staple as it helps to calm and nip budding zits.  I like to use Detox at night, and Clarins Energy Booster in the day to brighten up my tired looking skin.

The thing you have to note is that these are designed to be boosters to your existing moisturizers and serums, and are not in fact meant to be used on their own.  As you may have seen from the ingredient lists above, these boosters are elegantly formulated with minimal ingredients.  Most critically, they do not have a built-in delivery mechanism, and depend on that in your moisturizer/serum to deliver the active ingredients deep within your skin for them to actually work.  Personally, I think it is extremely clever, because who has time to add another step to their skincare routine?  And I can do without all the excess silicones and ecetera etc.

I’ve been so strung out with the new job, traveling every month (there’s a long one ahead right after the New Year) so I decided not to waste my energy on fixing up a tree and cooking up a storm.  Instead, I’m determined to take my little one out and have some fun!  What have you celebrated Christmas this year, and what plans have you got for New Year’s?  Tell me in the comments below!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}