Ode to Clarins

I know the title of this post kind of gives it away, but if I had to pick one skincare brand to stick to for the rest of my life, it would have to be Clarins. Overall, their products just work for me better than others, and my fussy sensitive skin is always satisfied with a good dose of Clarins incorporated into my skincare routine. In fact, I am so in love with Clarins that I've probably accumulated enough of their products to open my own little shrine stall at a department store. I like the whole premise of the brand, whereby a focus on plant extracts (as opposed to chemical-based products) lies at the heart of all their products. The packaging is also simple and appealing, with brief product descriptions in French and English on the front of their products. It works and it looks good. What's not to love?

Here is a breakdown of my favourite Clarins products and why they are so dear to me.

Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream: This little pot of wonder is on its last legs, and if my curiosity hadn't got the better of me (I bought the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm to replace my beloved Extra-Comfort), I would definitely have repurchased this stuff. I slather this on and massage my face with it for a solid two minutes, and wipe it all off with a hot facecloth. There is no tingling, no redness, and certainly no dryness after a good cleanse with this Cleansing Cream, which makes it the perfect cleanser for my sensitive skin.

Instant Eye Make-Up Remover: Although Bioderma will always hold a special place in my heart, nothing beats this Clarins dual-phase eye makeup remover. Nothing. This seriously removes all traces of even the most waterproof eye makeup in an instant. It is formulated with rose and cornflower extracts, which make the remover kind to the über sensitive skin around the eyes. Super-fine oils are added to break down the most stubborn makeup. And, oh, the cheap thrill you get from mixing the initially-separated blue and clear liquids together...

Gentle Exfoliator: Since I banned micro-bead type exfoliators from my face skincare routine, liquid exfoliants have taken centre stage on my toner line-up. You'd never guess that this stuff is an exfoliant, because it even smells so gentle, as though it is almost good enough to use on baby skin (I'm sure it's not, really. It just smells that way). The plant extracts at the core of this miracle product come from tamarind and white nettle, both of which are sanitising and refreshing. There is just enough acid in this exfoliator to get rid of impurities and dull, dead cells. And, yet again, no stinging or tingling sensation.

Toning Lotion with Camomile: This toner is more on the hydrating side, and is the perfect last step before moisturising. It balances the skin and soothes any redness or irritation. This is also formulated for dry/sensitive skin, making it incredibly gentle.

HydraQuench Cream-Mask: When my skin is need of a boost in the moisture department, I always seek help in the form of masks. Although my favourite is the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask, sometimes I just need a quick fix rather than something I have to leave on overnight. This Clarins offering does exactly what it says on the tube, and restores moisture and bounce to dehydrated skin. Dry, dull skin, be gone!

Exfoliating Body Scrub: Although beady exfoliators aren't allowed near my face, I'll gladly use them on the body. As I suffer from eczema, I tend to have patches of dry skin after using cortisone-heavy treatment creams. This exfoliator gets rid of all that without irritating my skin, and doesn't add any heady perfumed moisturiser either. Simplicity in a bottle? You bet.

Moisture-Rich Body Lotion: On certain days, I just want a body moisturiser that doesn't have too much of a scent, and that absorbs easily into the skin. As with the exfoliating body scrub, this product bears no pretence, and simply does what it promises. There's no need to spend an eternity working this into the skin, and it doesn't leave an uncomfortable oily film on top of the skin.

Sun Care Cream SPF 30: I dislike those clear spray sunscreens that make your face sting like crazy when you apply it. As a result, I resort to cream sunscreens that don't have that awful astringency. I love the Clarins one for its light fragrance and for how easily it absorbs into my skin. It also protects against both UVA and UVB rays, making sure that I don't burn and don't get premature wrinkles from sun damage. As if there weren't enough reasons to love this product, it is oil-free, and so doesn't clog up the pores.

Beauty Flash Balm: I use this product as a primer underneath my foundation when my skin is in need of a little smoothing over. This hydrates and makes the surface of the skin look more regular, making that flawless-base look just that little bit more achievable.

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector: This is a lip balm and tinted gloss rolled into one product. It doesn't leave a cakey white outline on the lips, and it moisturises the lips in the same way that a decent lip balm does. And for a product that is so wide-ranging in its colour offerings, each shade truly complements your natural lip colour and does not come on too strong. And how could I resist the sweet vanilla scent?