Hydrating serums seem to have become a non-negotiable part of my skincare routine. I love the intense hit of moisture that they provide, I like that they are (more often than not) lightweight and fresh feeling and quick to apply, I like that they can plump and smooth the skin without leaving any residue and that i like that they can be slipped on before pretty much any face cream or standalone SPF.
I’ve tested dozens of hydrating serums now, and I desired to start writing up my reviews before I lose track of which ones work best. I think I’ve already written about quite a few, including the very affordable one from First Aid Beauty* and the truly amazing value mini-vials of Hyaluron-Filler Concentrate from Eucerin*, but the latest serum I’ve accustomed to the very last drop may be the Super Aqua-Serum from Guerlain.
This is – unusually – a remarkably rich serum. You know how I just said that hydrating serums were lightweight and fresh feeling? This one doesn’t fit that description whatsoever – it has a satisfying heaviness to it as well as without a moisturiser layered in top I'm able to feel the moisturising effects eight, ten, even twelve hours after application. I've tested this serum to the nth degree – on its own, beneath lots of different face creams, straight under foundation, as a night treatment – and it works perfectly whichever way you choose to use it. Properly plumped skin, and although there’s more of a residue than you’d get with one of those weightless, watery serums, it’s not greasy or shiny.
On the leading of the bottle, two statements: “Intense Hydration” and “Wrinkle Plumper”. Maybe that’s one statement over two different lines of text, I don’t know. In either case it delivers on both of these fronts, to the point that my skin is still looking pretty sweet after a long day, today, and all sorts of I have on is Super Aqua-Serum. No moisturiser, because I had to chase Angelica who had the handheld remote control for the Apple TV and was about to drop it into the toilet. Then life took control of and I forgot to do the rest of my routine.
So if you’re searching for a very hydrating serum to pop on underneath a tinted moisturiser or BB Cream and don’t want to layer on a standalone moisturiser too, this is an excellent one. I test so many serums and very few of them still feel this dewy to the touch after a fourteen hour day.
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My only complaint? The Super Aqua-Serum (note that this is the original version, a white creamy serum, not the “light” one) doesn’t odor of Parma Violets like much of Guerlain’s other skincare. I understand we’re not supposed to want scent in our skincare, blah blah naughty naughty, but Guerlain’s stuff usually smells utterly divine. Usually. This one doesn’t really odor of much, but what it does smell of isn’t particularly lovely. When I was pregnant the smell reminded me of Veet, now my nose has calmed down it just smells nothingy. But I’d love a dose of Parma Violets inside!
Most skin types will enjoy the Super Aqua – if you’re extremely dehydrated you can layer it up beneath a nice plumpety moisturiser, if you like to keep things simple then put it on alone. You’ve probably realised that this serum isn’t going to be a financial budget buy – it’s Guerlain, there’s a clue in there somewhere – but neither could it be one of those lb200+ products that can rarely ever be justified. (It gets to the purpose, surely, where you may as well purchase a procedure, invasive or non, and obtain instant visible results? Ideas on that?)
The Super Aqua-Serum RRP is lb79, but it’s slightly less at Escentual here* – lb71.90. And I’ve just realised that my love for this serum is not that surprising, when i have tried the eye patches before and may categorically tell you that they are right up there with the most effective ones available on the market. Pricey as hell, but – at the risk of repeating myself – it’s luxury. It’s Guerlain. Etc.
