Brand Focus + Favourites: Caudalie Paris

Skincare is so important but in the world of the drugstore, it can be hard to separate the good from the bad, and the nasty from the plain brilliant. But I think Caudalie is one of those brands that is certainly a standout in my mind.

French Pharmacy skincare is pretty notorious within the beauty world. For some reason the French have nailed it with skincare and I think that it comes down to each brand having a dedicated set of ideals and ethos - French skincare brands don't tend to try and do it all, like many British/American equivalents.

Caudalie skincare made their name by creating a line of products that use vine & grape extracts, something that was never really seen before then. By using such an unusual core ingredient, they were certainly one to be noticed.

So, here are some of my favourites from the brand (and believe me, I've tried a lot of things!).

An ultimate favourite has to be their Instant Detox Mask which is one of my favourite clay masks. I don't find it drying and I like how unabrasive it is. This is my go-to for days where I'm breaking out and want to draw out impurities without breaking my skin or potentially causing further damage. I think this is my current favourite mask for any breakouts and I find applying it to any spots and simply letting it just sit there as long as possible is the best method. It makes such a big difference - it also helps bring any nasty cystic spots to a head, hence helping them heal far quicker.

My next favourite will make long-time readers gasp as it's an exfoliator. The Cream Cleansing Exfoliator is a strange favourite as normally, I'm completely against anything that is abrasive. But this is really good. Unlike many exfoliators on the market, this doesn't foam and the texture is so fine that it reminds me of ultra-fine white sand. It's really gentle and really helps buff away the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving my skin feel baby soft and eager to absorb serums. I tend to use this in my t-zone or around my nose which are areas that I find get dry, and I've noticed a definitive difference. I wouldn't recommend using this on any broken skin or spots as it will exacerbate sensitive areas, but otherwise, couldn't recommend it enough. Oh, and did I mention that it smelled like grapefruit?

On to a bit of a Princess product, is the Beauty Elixir. I'm a big fan of anything in a spray bottle as I love setting my makeup with sprays as it leaves my skin looking natural and fresh. The version I have is an exclusive bottle with Jason Wu, but it's readily available in standard packaging. I adore this for either toning down skin makeup or on flights as it is moisturising. I took this with me when I went away to Brunei at Christmas and found it incredibly refreshing, not only on the plane but when I overheated a bit...

And then, of course, the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This is everything. Not only does it help to leave your skin looking glowy and fresh, but it also helps to reduce pigmentation. I find this ideal for any spot scars or just general discolouration. Again, very moisturising and leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft. The texture of the serum is really liquidy so you don't need much, but a little goes a long way.

Have you tried any Caudalie products? What are some of your favourites?

*Please note that this post contains press samples & affiliate links, however this post is not sponsored and contains honest opinions.