I had never tried anything from Lierac before, or even heard of them, so I was excited and apprehensive about putting the stuff on my face.
I never do any research about an unknown company before trying out a cream, because when I've thoroughly researched a brand before trying the product, I have pre-formed opinions about them. Like, if the cream only retailed at £15 for a full size pot I would think 'this is cheap man, it must be rubbish', and I might 'cloud' my actual experience. All a bit psychological really.
So I never really knew about the brand (any more than what was on the box/leaflet with the product) before writing up this blogpost, but I say I am very impressed with what I've found so far!
So, in the beginning, I was pretty confused by the title. I was thinking 'Infrared properties? In a cream?! How can that even possibly work?'.
The product description on the Lierac website explained it, although rather vaguely, and I really still don't understand if I'm perfectly honest...
III collagen accelerating vectors (4%): single vector capable of reprogramming the synthesis of collagen III, guarantor of skin firmness.
Micro-crystals of tourmaline: infrared light source, they promote an immediate withdrawal of collagen fibers and activation of their synthesis.
Extracts of pomegranate seeds: selected for their anti-oxidant and moisturizing.
Moisturizers with shea and vegetable glycerin: a plant association of choice in terms of nutrition, hydration and skin comfort.
Now, because I like to know what's in my creams, and I was pretty sure I had heard tourmaline used in other contexts very far from skincare, I researched. Good old Wikipedia told me that 'Tourmaline is a crystal boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium.' I found that pretty interesting, although I'm not really sure how they can be a 'source' of infrared light. Maybe they direct the light that shines on our faces onto the collagen. But then if you use it as a night cream there is no light. This ingredient confuses me, and I don't think Google has the answer. I might have to go ask a scientist (anyone?!).
I have no idea about the 'collagen vectors'. I wasn't going to Google that, since I thought I might be getting in over my head with all the sciency-stuff. And plus, although it matters what is in my cream and what I'm putting on my face, it doesn't matter if it means I have to take a degree in pharmaceuticals/chemistry.
I love Shea butter, it has the most amazing smell and does wonders to my skin, so I was happy to see that included on the ingredients list. Plus I recognised it!
I do like the fact they have carried out clinical trials of the product, which can be seen here. Although, obviously without looking at the original research paper/participants it's hard to see whether these results are significant or valid, but that is going down a very nerdy and research-y route indeed, and I don't want to go there! Bottom line is that they've carried out some trials which produced these results;
76% of 93 women declared re-tightened features
Fine lines and wrinkles were reduced in 73% of 93 women
95% of 93 women found their skin was more comfortable
However, in these clinical trails, this cream was used twice a day for 56 consecutive days. I haven't been using it quite so regularly, since in the morning I am just using an SPF 50 face cream and at night I either apply my Retin-A or Fucibet or my Darphin cream. In other words I have such a varied routine regarding skin-care that it would be impossible to see any benefit. Plus, a 15ml sample is not going to last me 56 days at two applications a day.
However, what I will say that it definitely feels like a cream that has been carefully put together. It smells absolutely divine, with a kind of fruity scent. It really is nice to find a cream that smells lovely without it being to overpowering and 'in your face'.
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It sinks into skin like a dream, leaving skin looking supple and hydrated without leaving a greasy residue. I have an awful habit of sleeping on the side, meaning that my face is always pressed against the pillow. Some creams don't have enough hydrating features to get through this awful habit, and sometimes I can wake up with a face drier than the Sahara. However, this cream passed this test very well, my face was soft, moisturised and my skin still felt like it had the product on.
It is quite a light cream, and wouldn't really call it a heavy cream, meaning that you can use this cream day and night, and find that it is light enough to be used underneath an SPF containing cream during the day. I say this because the cream itself does not contain any SPF whatsoever, and I will not venture outside with at least SPF 30 on. But when used underneath a day cream (I'm just using a Soltan SPF 50 one which I will review late) it doesn't make the skin overly shiny or greasy. It just acts as an extra layer of hydration and protection for the skin.
I also applied it when my skin has been under a barrage of Retin-A applications, when my skin can be very sensitive and (most of the time) stings when I apply a face cream. Upon application, this cream did sting a little bit, so it probably isn't a cream if you are using a retinoid cream, have cracked, flaky or inflamed skin, or have very sensitive skin. However, on days when my skin was fine, it was very soothing upon the skin.
Once you got past the initial sting, it also was very good at providing a long period of hydration (as mentioned above). This was a bonus, because during this horrid phase I put my skin through, my skin tends to soak up any moisture it comes into contact with. This means sometimes, most night creams aren't enough, and after an hour my skin is crying out for another application of cream. However, this did not occur even when my skin was at it's worst, and it lasted all through the night during lots of face/pillow contact. I was very very impressed, especially considering how light this cream is to apply.
This cream retails at for around £66, so it's probably at the top of the price range of creams I would go for. Plus, if a little 15ml sample has lasted me since around the start of January (and I haven't even used half yet!), then a regular 50ml pot would probably last me months!
Plus, you don't really need a lot. I normally find a dot of cream on my forehead, chin and on both my cheeks is a perfectly substantial amount.
Overall I like this cream. I really do. However I would have to use it when my skin isn't quite so sensitive. It soothes and hydrates my (normal) skin really well, and it's around the price I would normally pay for a good face cream. I am not sure whether I would buy it again. In fact, in regards to face cream, I don't think I've ever bought the same jar twice. I always stick to the same serum (Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair) like glue, but never bought the same night cream more than twice. I'm always searching for something better!
But yes, I really like this cream because of all the points above, and from now on Lierac is definitely on my skincare radar.
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