If you’re a skincare fanatic like us, you probably have that one product (or, let’s be honest, multiple products) that you just simply could not live without. Whether it’s that go-to night cream that nourishes your dry skin, your daily hyaluronic acid serum or that cooling, depuffing eye cream you love, most of us have a tried-and-true product we’ve been using for years. And for many, that product is the Lancôme Advanced Génifique serum, a groundbreaking Lancome skin care product that launched 15 years ago. It has a very loyal fanbase—a cult following if you will—and we understand why; It really is that good. And recently, the brand just launched another version of the serum, Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Recovery Serum. Keep reading for why we’re loving the formula, all of the amazing benefits of using it and more.
What is Lancôme Génifique Ultimate?
If you haven’t heard of the original serum, let us fill you in on this “magic in a bottle.” Lancôme Advanced Génifique came out 15 years ago in 2009, and quickly flew off the shelves (and has continued to, this many years later). Nowadays, we hear a lot about the skin barrier repair and how important it is for healthy skin. However, in 2009, there weren’t nearly as many barrier repair products on the market as there are today; Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum was one of the first.
The original formula is hydrating and nourishing, made with bifidus prebiotic, hyaluronic acid and vitamin Cg. It promises to repair the skin’s barrier in just one drop. This Lancome skin care serum became a staple in many skin care routines and has been used by some since its launch to now.
You can think of Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Recovery Serum as essentially an enhanced version of the original formula. It’s backed by 27 years of research and five patents and launched at the start of January. Lancôme Génifique Ultimate is a recovery serum, and includes beta-glucans, which the brand’s website says is “shown to help repair skin’s moisture barrier and accelerate skin surface renewal.” This ingredient is amazing for wound healing, which is partly why it’s a recovery serum, and is great for post-procedure care (the serum can be used immediately after an IPL procedure and 10 days after CO2 fractional laser treatment). There are 90 trillion beta-glucan molecules in each dropper, making it a powerful serum that can act fast.
Along with the original formula’s hero ingredient, bifidus prebiotic which helps skin retain good bacteria necessary for its barrier, Lancôme Génifique Ultimate also contains hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid, as well as pure licorice extract to help improve skin tone.
“The main difference in formula (between the two serums) is that the original formula has vitamin C, while the Ultimate has beta glucan and licorice root extract as well as no fragrances,” explains Chris Tomassian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology Collective. “Both still contain probiotics as well as hyaluronic acid.”
While both are great for barrier repair, if you’re trying to decide which of the two serums is right for you, Dr. Tomassian recommends the following: “If your skin is easily irritated or red, I would stick with the Ultimate serum given the licorice root and beta glucans. If you are looking to improve skin radiance and brightening effects, I would pick the Advanced serum as it has vitamin C as well.”
Benefits of using Lancôme Génifique Ultimate for mature skin
Aside from wound healing, barrier repair and skin tone benefits, Lancôme Génifique Ultimate also targets fine lines and wrinkles, helping to plump skin and boost elasticity. According to the brand’s clinical study, 80% of users had visibly improved skin elasticity in one week, and after one bottle, 95% had visibly reduced fine lines.
Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Repair Serum is also especially great for mature skin. “As we mature, our skin does not hold on to water, which means dry and dehydrated skin,” explains Dr. Tomassian. “This hydrating formula is perfect to combat these changes.”
I tried Lancôme Génifique Ultimate: Results
I tried Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Recovery Serum for 6 weeks, and it’s safe to say I was impressed. For background, I have sensitive, oily skin and struggle with dullness and am prone to acne. When first trying the serum, the first thing I noticed was how gentle and nourishing it felt on my skin. It feels hydrating and refreshing, and my sensitive skin didn’t experience any burning, tingling or uncomfortableness while using or after.
Now, after using this serum for the past six weeks, I can confidently say my skin looks brighter and more “awake.” Being in my mid-20s, I don’t experience deep fine lines or wrinkles, so I can’t say whether this serum helped with that or not; However, I did feel like my skin looked and felt more plump and firm overall. I’m continuing to use the serum both morning and night daily.
