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This Anti-ageing Serum Does Exactly What It Says It Does

18 Aug 2022 - By Rachel Lee

Conceptualised by a team of French facialists, the Younger Me Facial Serum from Kate Benji is a stem cell powered anti-ageing serum that promises to give your skin a youthful boost. Read on for my full review.

 

From Clarins to Lancôme, French beauty brands are renowned for their quality and innovativeness. Characterised by their high quality products- and prices that go with them - French beauty brands have always had a certain je ne sais quoi about them that sets them apart in the world of beauty.

Following in the storied steps of other legendary French brands comes Kate Benji, launched in 2020 after a chanced encounter between a French facialist at a world famous Parisian spa, and a traveling beauty enthusiast. They recently sent us the Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir, one of four serums in their initial release. Read on for our review.

 

Overview

BEST FOR:

Combination, Dry + Flaky Skin, Fine Lines + Wrinkles, Uneven Skin Tone.

 

APPLICATION:

A light, pale yellow, oil serum with a pleasant floral scent used after cleansing and toning.

 

HERO INGREDIENT:

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Algae Extract, Aster Tripolium Extract, Cranberry Seed Oil.

 

ABOUT:

Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free, Silicone-free.

 

PRICE:

 $120 (US$ 88), 30ml/1.01fl oz

 

THE BRAND:

A skincare line created to bridge the gap between prescription and over-the-counter cosmetics, Kate Benji merges French beauty philosophy with cutting edge marine biotech and natural marine ingredients sustainably harvested off the pristine French coasts.

 

 

Skin Context: Thirty and Still Perky… For Now

I’m at the wrong end of my thirties and despite the relentless march of time, I think my skin’s weathered the ravages of life quite well - or maybe it’s all the skincare I’ve been testing, we’ll never know. Even so, in recent years, I’ve noticed a gradual change with my skin becoming drier and losing some of its elasticity. Concerns I was previously indifferent to like wrinkles and discolouration have also begun to weigh more on my skincare choices.

Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir Serum from Kate Benji

First Impressions: A Beautiful Country Spring Morning

The Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir comes in a tubular glass bottle that’s 30ml/1.01fl oz and goes for $120 (US$ 88) making it very affordable when compared to other French brands like Clarins and La Mer. It comes in a reusable natural fiber pouch instead of a box - to cut waste - and the bottle had a nice heft to it and looked really pretty.

Unfortunately, the dropper was a bit of a let down as the bulb was a little stiff and it was difficult to draw the serum into the pipette. While it isn’t a major inconvenience, I did take something away from an otherwise beautiful presentation.

The serum itself has a pale yellow appearance with a consistency similar to a light facial oil. Like most French beauty products, the Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir contains parfum and isn’t fragrance-free but I wasn’t complaining as its subtle and distinct floral fragrance smelled like a beautiful country spring morning.

Kate Benji Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir Serum Texture Image

The Results: Youthful Looking Skin That Glows

The thin textured oil-based serum was easy to spread evenly and rather unsurprisingly felt slightly oily upon application. The serum initially left my skin glistening at first but that turned into a soft, dewy glow once fully absorbed. I absolutely love the glowy effect that it left over my skin!

It isn’t the fastest absorbing serum and it did take a bit of coaxing for it to settle but once it did,  it felt light and comforting. I was expecting a heavier sensation over my skin but despite being oil-based it did not feel heavy and congested and would be suitable even for oily complexions and humid conditions.

In addition to the wonderful glow, my skin also felt better hydrated, appeared brighter and smoother and felt more taut. While I did observe an overall improvement to my skin, anti-ageing products can be notoriously tough to judge after just a few weeks but the results from my limited testing were very promising!

Kate Benji's Serums Come In A Reusable Pouch

Literally Botox In a Jar 

So, the Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir isn’t your run of the mill skincare product and is actually manufactured in a Parisian laboratory by hand and in small batches. It doesn’t have an overly complex ingredients list - quality over quantity - and contains Cranberry Seed Oil and other marine-inspired ingredients like Sea Aster and Algae Extracts.

Harvested off the beaches of France, Sea Aster and Algae are widely used in many anti-ageing products. Rich in antioxidants and minerals imbued by ocean spring water, they can hydrate and soothe the skin, treat fine lines and wrinkles and prevent other premature signs of ageing by defending against oxidative stress.

But what really excited me about this serum is its main hero ingredient, something called Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. I know, it’s quite the mouthful. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a peptide compound that has a similar structure to Botulinum Toxin, more commonly known as Botox, which is why it is often referred to as “Botox in a Jar”.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 simultaneously stimulates cell renewal and collagen production that rebuild muscle fibres while blocking nerve signals that prevent retraction causing wrinkles to soften and relax. This reduces their appearance much in the same way as Botox, and is considered an excellent, non-invasive alternative. Exciting stuff!

Kate Benji Serum Line

My Verdict: Try It!

Priced at $120 (US$ 88), the Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir Serum from Kate Benji delivers cutting edge skincare wrapped in affordable French luxury. It feels good and smells even better and apart from some areas of improvement to the packaging, I think this is an excellent skincare product that is worth a try.

I think this serum can be used by all skin types, even oily skin, and it is worth a go especially if your main concern is with fine lines and wrinkles. While anti-ageing products can deliver varied results between individuals, the combination of scientifically advanced actives, perfect texture and finish and a delightfully floral fragrance makes this serum a must try.

 

The Younger Me Stem Cell Elixir Serum, $120 ( US$88), from Kate Benji is now available at www.asianbeautyx.com.

About the writer
Rachel Lee

Rachel spent five ascetic years as a vegetarian before discovering spicy chicken wings are, in fact, a delicacy. She’s also a bit of a snob about fancy whiskey. Rachel writes early in the morning, then spends the rest of the day trying to impress her Maine Coon.

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