Does Bioderma live up to the hype?

Since I've been blogging about beauty products, there's one brand that's always spoken of as if it's the holy grail of skincare. Until very recently it wasn't even available in this country, but beauty enthusiasts seemed to cross the channel to stock up on Micelle Solution as if it was a sought after and rare red wine. Gone are the days when we'd jump in a car and get on the ferry to Calais to fill our boots with cheap booze - it's now all about as much Micellar Water as you can carry. Bioderma appears to have taken the world by storm, with no launch in the UK being greeted with such enthusiasm since Crunchy M&Ms. When a couple of the products landed on my doorstep I couldn't wait to actually find out for myself if they were actually worth their iconic status. The question is, is Bioderma worth the hype? In a nutshell, yes it kind of is. Micellar Water is still a pretty new concept in this country, but essentially it's a non-rinse water based cleanser that removes impurities without drying the skin out. It works with the skin, rather than against it, leaving the complexion looking clear and feeling fresh. It's a perfect product to use after you've washed your face (or god forbid a cleansing wipe,) as it removes all of that deep-down dirt that normally doesn't budge. It even gets rid of makeup and fake tan, leaving skin clean as can be without the tight or uncomfortable feeling you often get. Perfect for sensitive skin, I've even been using it on very dry and broken skin after my face reacted badly to another product - there's no stinging sensation and it feels like you're using purified water, rather than a beauty product. I've used a few Micellar Water products before, but this is exceptionally fresh and really helps to control sebum production over a longer period of time too. The perfect accompaniment is the Hydrating Serum, which re-stimulates the skin's ability to moisturise itself effectively. It's designed for very dehydrated faces and contains an ingredient that helps to hold essential water close to the skin, so the complexion looks brighter and feels much more supple. Again, I've been using this on my very dry and uncomfortable face of late and it has thoroughly helped it to re-balance and recover. It's perfect for applying under makeup, as the very light gel texture is absorbed quickly to leave skin plump and fresh - there's none of that horrid flaky stuff and certainly no greasiness. Considering I have endless serums and moisturisers to choose from, it's quite the test that this is what I'm continually reaching for in the morning. I can understand the hype behind Bioderma, because it works and feels like a premium brand while not costing the earth. If you have sensitive skin, need something to keep your complexion radiant, or even are just a little curious, I've no doubt that Bioderma will deliver what you're after. Cue the stampedes...




Bioderma Micellar Water is available for £4.99 for 100ml or £9.99 for 250ml. Hydrating Serum is available for £17.50 for a 40ml tube.