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Despite arriving at Charles De Gaulle Airport three hours early, I missed my flight home from France. While that scene was a moment straight from my worst nightmares, there was a silver lining: I got one last jaunt through a Parisian pharmacy, aka my happy place. My “sorry you missed the only direct flight back to California” gift to myself? Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Peel Mask.
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Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Peel Mask — $39.00
Caudalie’s use of vinotherapy (yes, vino as in wine!) in skin care harnesses the power of grapes—their seeds, stalks, and skin—to provide a host of benefits for your beautiful visage. You’re likely familiar with the French brand’s best-selling, miracle-in-a-bottle brightening serum, and having already tried the serum in the past (huge fan, BTW), I wanted to test out another fan favorite. So I swiped a tube (okay, three tubes) of the famous, five-star glycolic mask at the CDG pharmacy. The pharmacienne assured me that my choice was a solid one, explaining that it—much like other French skincare products—was powerful yet gentle, and exactly what I needed for my skin type.
My complexion can get so dry that it flakes (ick), particularly in the winter months. The glycolic acid in this formulation allows for a chemical exfoliation without being as harsh as other similar exfoliating products. As such, it can help with uneven texture, dullness, and dark spots, as well as hormonal acne (the bane of my existence). The formula blends glycolic with other alpha hydroxy acids, which work to refine the skin texture and stimulate cellular turnover, leaving your face baby soft.
Finally, Caudalie’s patented “Vine Sap-Derived Viniferine,” which comes from grapes, is purported to be “62 times more effective than vitamin C” (legit), and helps to brighten skin, eradicate dark spots, and provide a luminous, even glow. After using it myself for the past several months, I can confirm that this is true.
The formula’s got a creamy texture akin to a silky moisturizer. The name “peel mask” might sound like you peel it off, but that’s not the case. Spread a thin, even layer across your face, avoiding the eye area, wait 10 minutes, and rinse off. It doesn’t have that searing, burning sensation of Drunk Elephant’s Babyfacial, but the effects are similar: an exfoliating facial that leaves your skin supple and rejuvenated. While the price is roughly double here in the States than in France, at $39, it’s still on the more affordable side compared to other chemical exfoliants and masks (like the aforementioned $80 facial in a bottle).
With the results I’ve seen in my skin since using the mask, it’s safe to say that it was (… almost) worth missing my flight for.
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