There are certain universal truths in life. Everything is impermanent, everything is connected, and in my case specifically, my mother is usually right. This is especially true when it comes to skincare—she put me onto a routine when I started breaking out in my early teens.
And as I’ve started to become more concerned with preventative anti-aging (while noticing even more that her skin is really, really good), I’ve been looking to mom’s vanity for inspiration. Lancôme has been a staple in her lineup for decades, and the Rénergie range— infused with key ingredients like linseed extract which claims to impart a lifting and firming effect—seemed especially promising.
I started using the Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Face Cream with SPF during the day, the Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Night Cream in the evenings, and Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Eye Cream morning and night.
According to New York-based dermatologist Jeanette Graf. M.D, linseed extract is a lipo-hydroxy acid that can help buffer visible signs of aging. When combined with ingredients like jojoba, sunflower, and mimosa flower waxes, as in the case of Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Face Cream with SPF, “the products also have a very moisturizing formula, ” says Dr. Graf who adds the sooner one can start using ingredients like this in their anti-aging routine, the better. And after using this trio for almost a month, I’ve already started to replace all the unnecessary items in my lineup with these formulas. Here’s why.
My skin looks visibly firmer
I have combination skin (and she’s very sensitive), so areas that veered between oily, very dry, and weirdly red were the norm. My complexion seemed to subtly balance out in the days after I started using the Lancôme Rénergie collection, transforming the pesky dry patches around my nose and on my forehead to a smoother, more supple state, and calming down any redness. Dr. Graf notes that skin-nurturing ingredients like glycerin and triglycerides (especially when partnered with the aforementioned linseed extract) are doing the heavy lifting here—pun intended. When skin is well-nourished and deeply hydrated, it appears firmer and plumper.
“Glycerin is one of the only moisturizers that has aqua channels that are recognized by the skin, making it a very effective hydrator,” she says. “Triglycerides are also important ingredients when it comes to moisturizing the skin, and when it comes to getting any kind of lift, ensuring your skin gets enough hydration is key.” At about the two-week mark, I caught a glimpse of my complexion in the mirror and immediately thought, wow, my skin looks really good. The tone and texture appeared more even, and it looked noticeably softer with no dryness in sight.
The products go to work day and night
According to Dr. Graf, your skin functions quite differently during the day than it does at night. “Circadian rhythms exist in the skin, and at night, your pH is a little bit lower, your microcirculation increases, you have an increase in trans-epidermal water loss, and it goes into a renewal process,” she explains. “That’s why it’s important to use active, but also hydrating, formulas at night.” The Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Night Cream checked all the boxes here—it was a nice complement to the retinol I use in the evenings, and because it’s packed with so many hard-working ingredients, it works to lift, firm and reduce the signs of wrinkles with results expected in just 14 days.
In the daytime, the focus should be on protecting your skin. That makes the Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Cream, which also works to lift, firm, correct dark spots, and protect against sun and environmental damage thanks to SPF of 30, the ideal pairing for the vitamin C serum I use during the day. “Your skin is in all different environments during the day, so using an SPF is essential for keeping it protected—even if it’s the middle of the winter and you’re not getting outside as much,” says Dr. Graf.
They’ve streamlined my skincare routine
Before the Rénergie line became my go-to, both my daily and nightly skincare routine consisted of at least six steps because of the multiple serums I used to target specific issues. Because both the Rénergie Ultra Cream and Night Cream do so much heavy lifting, I’ve been able to eliminate a lot of unnecessary steps from my regimen, giving me back the luxury of more time. Now, after cleansing and toning my skin, my daytime routine consists of a vitamin C serum layered underneath the SPF-infused Ultra Cream and Eye Cream, while my nighttime routine includes a retinol serum layered under the Night Cream. I also apply the Eye Cream at night to help reduce dark circles and de-puff eye bags. Easy peasy.
The results just keep coming
I’ve been using Lancôme’s Rénergie lineup for almost a month now, I’m hoping to see even more changes in the coming weeks. “You always want to give yourself four weeks before you evaluate something,” says Dr. Graf. “This is the time it takes for a cell to go all the way from your skin’s basal layer to the surface, and by then, you’re going to know if it’s helping the collagen and elastin.”
So far, so good as I steadily approach the four-week mark. While the lifted-look action is very subtle at this point, my skin looks noticeably smoother, softer, and more even. My laugh lines have visibly diminished ever-so-slightly, and my complexion seems to be a little bit more glowy these days. I’m excited to see the improvements on the way, and I’m pretty sure my mom would approve.
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