Clarins Calm-Essentiel Redness Corrective Gel

Clarins Calm-Essentiel Redness Corrective Gel sounded like something I needed on my life for those days where my skin looked more flushed than flawless and a Rudolph-like nose became a whole new facial feature.

The first time I used it, I scrutinized my face as the green gel melted clear into my skin. If I squinted, I thought I saw a difference.

So of course I used it again, and again and again. There is a difference, but on my skin it is only faintly detectable.

It does however feel lovely at sits well with make up, so I've used it instead in place of a primer.

I love Clarins. It's been in and out of my budget for many many years. When I saw they had a new calming range, I jumped at the chance as my skin has become reactive over the past year due to a mix of hormonal red flushes and too many skin products with acids/actives. It needed a reset, and this is exactly what this Sensitive Skin Care Clairns range aims to do. The Redness Corrective Gel with Clary Sage is a 30ml pump tube packaged in the classic White and Red Clarins box. With both English & French info on Clary Sage, Ingredients, 'The Calm-Essentiel commitments', info on packaging, and claims for the gel itself on the outside, and even more info on the inside of the box if you are so inclined. The product is for sensitive and fragile skin, aiming to instantly sooth discomfot, correct redness, hydrate, refresh, protect and reveal skin's beauty, improving tolerance levels day after day. The pump tube is multi-lingual stating morning application. First use needs a couple of pumps to activate, and a nice pea-size amount is dispensed; I found myself using two pumps to cover my face. The gel is a gel-creme, tinged lightly green which helps to correct redness. The scent is very herbal, not unpleasant but different to the normal clarins fragrance I'm used to and I found it a little strong the first couple of uses, however didn't think about it after that. It's lovely and cooling on the skin upon application, absorbs beautifully. It does what it says in terms of instantly soothing that tight, dry discomfort. My skin felt hydrated all day. This is to be used as a day-time moisturiser. After the first week of use, I was able to wear liquid foundation again for the first time in months without any 'drag' across my cheeks. I found my skin looking brighter. I used more over the areas of my face prone to redness, and they definitly felt much more comfortable, less reactive, no longer dry, and skin tone was more even. Two weeks later, and I honestly love how my skin feels now. Even though I still get my peri-menopause flushes, it feels like the epidermis (outer layers of skin) no longer tightens and constricts the same, meaning the dry flakey area's have gone, skin is has greater hydration. In conjuction with using other products in this range to ease my skin's sensitivity, I've now switched from wearing a heavy daywear foundation to a light mineral powder. I will definitely be including this as part of my on-going skin care for this stage of my life.

I love that this is hermetically packaged - the tube/pump means that air isn't going to get in. It also means you're not coming into contact with the unused product.

I used this in the morning and found it really did what it said on the tube...it makes ruddy skin less red and more even. I mean, what else is there to say about the results?

It has a lovely fragrance that adds to the experience. I actually love that its fragranced, i know for some people that's a no-no for sensitive skin products, but for me I love it that they've found a gentle way to add scent using calming ingredients.

This leaves skin even and smooth, and is a really nice base for makeup. I didnt need to use my primer after using this product!

I don't think I can rave about this gel enough!

I've never used Clarins before, but I am familiar with the brand. I think of it as being high end and quite pricey - but I'm happy to confirm it is worth the money!

The packaging: Is functional and simple. I read up a little online to get more information on what to use, when, but there is some info on the packaging. I used this solely in the morning as it doesn't matter if my skin is a bit ruddy in bed right?

The formula: Smells quite earthy/natural. It is a light gel and easily absorbed into the skin.

The effects: After use my skin felt refreshed and looked less red. It does what it says!

This is my fave product of the Calm Essential range. If you can only buy one of the three, go for this!

I've never been convinced by 'anti-redness' products - I figured the redness would be dependant/caused by numerous factors. This wee tube has proved me wrong!

It is a lightly scented gel that applies and absorbs easily. As it is applied it seems to instantly soothe and refresh the skin - your skin just feels nicer immediately.

The gel has pigments (presumably green going by the colour wheel) and it really, really does leave skin looking less red. I mean its not 'fixing' the red, but it is definitely toning the skin to a more even finish.

I found I looked immediately less flushed and was genuinely wowed by the impact.

Highly recommend!

I was excited to use this product as I tend to have redness in the morning due to ageing skin. This cream I used in the mornings only after cleansing and within an hour my skin was brighter and redness had disappeared. Was moisturising at the same time. The fragrance is divine and certainly did do what it was designed for. Great product to use.

I was super stoked to get on this trial....thanks BR! A little bit about my skin, it can be very fussy! I have to be careful what I use as some products set my skin on fire and I often get a horrible irritation. I have redness on my chin and cheeks and get occasional breakouts.

The Clarins Calm-Essentiel redness corrective gel comes in a 30ml tube with a pump. I have been using this in the morning after cleansing but I only put it on my red cheeks and chin. A little bit definitely goes a long way, it has a lovely faint smell and had a green tinge which obviously counteracts the redness.

It sinks into my skin well and I get no tingling or irritation at all. I don't feel like it makes a really dramatic difference to my redness but it does reduce it. Maybe after using it for a longer period of time I may get more results.

For me it is a step that I could easily miss out simply because it doesn't wow me. I will however continue to use the remainder of the tube but it is not something I would go out and purchase.

The Clarins Calm Essentiel Redness Corrective Gel is rather curious is that it comes out of its pump looking like a light pastel green cream (which confused me as it's called a gel) but it does instead spread out and feel like a gel product on your skin.

It sinks in quickly, and I really enjoy the lightly floral scent. Does it work? I definitely found that during my trial the redness on my cheeks reduced, and my skin felt rather lovely after using it.

My only feedback would be that the pump wasn't great and it was hard work to get product out over the course of my trial, and for the price I would expect it to be of better quality. Also, clearer instructions would be great.

Overall though this product did what it said it would do and I would recommend it to friends who are looking for a redness-reducing, calming product.

The first things you notice about the Redness Corrective Gel is that it is green (like many anti-redness products), and that it is actually a cream. I have some red patches on my cheeks and some other places on my face, so was interested to see how this cream would affect this issue. After just over a week I can't say there is much change in skin tone- perhaps a slight one? It did absorb fairly easily into the skin and I normally mixed it with the emulsion to ensure even coverage. My skin overall is slightly softer and mayybeee less tight. I cannot say though that I felt an instant feeling of well-being. I used 1-2 pumps each morning. At approximately $64 for the 30ml tube Clarins is on the upper end of pricing.

Like the Calm Essentiel Emulsion, this comes in a handy tube format with a pump dispenser and a firm-click lid, so it's portable, hygienic and very easy to dispense the amount you want. Love it. (Plus it's pretty but simple packaging in white and dusky pink.)

The gel itself has a nice, light-creamy texture (lighter than the emulsion) and it melts easily into your skin.

The floral scent is pleasant enough but very strong, which worried me a little (my skin's super-sensitive). It turned out to be fine in terms of my sensitivity, but it was stronger, more floral, and longer-lasting (lingering for hours) than I would personally like. Not a deal-breaker though.

As for performance... My skin was VERY tight, reactive and uncomfortable before the trial (it gets like that most winters), and my usual gentle moisturisers were stinging on application. The first time I applied the gel, there was a very slight stinging feeling, which disappeared quickly (so that was actually already an improvement), but after that, every time I used it my skin felt better and better. On its own it was definitely calming and soothing. However, it wasn't hydrating enough, so after letting it sink in, I applied the Calm Essentiel Emulsion. This combo was great, and within a week it had broken me out of my over-sensitised, reactive cycle completely. In my experience, that's really quick for such unhappy skin.

It's pricey for a 30 ml tube, but a half-pump is enough for your whole face, so it'd last for a good few months.

It's an 'anti-redness' treatment and pigmented green, but I it didn't make much visible difference on me, and it's not moisturising enough for my dry skin. It has the same calming, soothing ingredients as the Emulsion to normalise and re-set upset skin, so I do like it, but I wouldn't buy it. I'd skip that step and go straight for the more hydrating Emulsion every time (which I LOVE). If you have traumatised skin that's oily or normal though, I imagine it would be perfect.