Racinne Ultimate Aqua Blanc

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm on a journey with no road map when it comes to figuring out my skincare.  Oily skin is both a blessing and a curse at my age.  Oily skin usually means fewer wrinkles.  But, no one, especially at my age, wants pimples.  Acne leaves red and dark marks on the skin that take longer to heal as I age, and environmental stressors can make any skin dull and lackluster.

So, when I got the chance to try a few products from the Racinne Ultimate Aqua Blanc series, I was excited to see if it could improve the look of my skin.

After cleansing and toning (I used my own cleansers; there is a cleanser and toner in this series which I did not try,) it's time for the Ultimate Aqua Blanc Concentrate serum. 

You know how they have "new car smell" and everyone knows what that is? They should have "expensive skincare smell" too.  I don't know what it is, but there is something about putting on a product that has that particular fragrance... it's not even something I can put my finger on. It's a level of intensity, too.  It's light, fresh, unobtrusive.... classy.  These products from Racinne have it.  Maybe it's playing Jedi-mind tricks on me, but when I smell that scent, I think I'm getting something good.

This serum is thin, but not runny, with a slightly milky look to it.  It contains niacinamide, which my MUA friends tell me is a real skincare workhorse.  It also has lotus stem cell extract, aloe vera, and cucumber extracts to brighten and soothe the skin.  It absorbs quickly, and leaves the skin soft and ready for the next treatment:

The Ultimate Aqua Blanc Boost is both a moisturizer and a brightener.  It also contains the lotus stem cells and niacinamide, and is formulated without hydroquinone.

My oily skin tends to not like very rich creams, and this one is moisturizing without being heavy.  You can see in this picture how it compares to the serum.

I used these products twice a day after cleansing, and in the morning I didn't have to wait to apply my makeup, which I like.  Having to wait for my products to absorb can be a deal breaker for me.

The last product I tried was the Brightening Masque.

I've discovered a new and deep love of all things masque this year, but this type was a new one on me.  It's a creme-like masque that you apply all over your face, let it absorb for about 15 minutes, and then you pat in whatever residue you can, and rinse off the rest.

I've done sheet masques that you pat in the residue and I've done clay masques where you rinse off the hardened clay, but this is a new one on me. It wasn't unpleasant or anything, just strange.

I never applied it so thickly that there was much to tissue off afterwards.  I rather wish it retained that white pigmentation so I could remember to rinse it off afterwards.  I can see forgetting that you have it on!

It's gentle enough to use twice a week.  I would alternate it with some of my favorite deep-cleaning masques, too.  

My overall impression? I really liked these products.  Everything from the packaging to the fragrance and texture reads luxury, but the prices are not exorbitant.  The serum and lotions absorb quickly and, especially at first, feel like they're doing something.  They don't hurt, but you can feel a tingle. After this trial, I still have some dark spots, but I think my skin is brighter, less ruddy, and more luminous. 

If you'd like to try Racinne for yourself, they have inexpensive trial sizes, and their site does say something about free samples.  They also have deals of the week (the masque is half off this week, from $36 to $18!) and promotions.  As of this writing, they have a 20% off code, and also some purchase rewards options, as well as free shipping with a certain amount of purchase.

For more information, you can find Racinne on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.