I’ve been a fan of Guerlain for most of my life as it holds a special place in my heart. My mom would put their face cream on me when I was a little girl, and it always made me feel like a real, grown-up woman.
I love the brand’s fragrances, and I’ve dabbled in some of its skincare lines in the past. However, as I’m introducing corrective and preemptive anti-aging products into my routine, I wanted to try Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale line.
The Brand
Guerlain was founded in Paris in 1828.
The brand creates innovative makeup, skincare, and fragrances influenced by art and nature. Guerlain’s skincare focuses on nourishing the body with luxurious textures and gorgeous fragrances, while its makeup aims to accentuate the diversity of women throughout the world. Its unique modern and traditional fragrances come in intricate artistic bottles with handmade accents.
Although Guerlain has manufactured in France since its inception, it upgraded to two production sites that use modern technology and innovations in its product creation. The fragrances come from Orphin, Yvelines, while Guerlain makes its makeup and skincare products in Chartres, Eure-et-Loir.
For nearly a decade and a half, the brand has put even more of a focus on conservation. It follows four pillars: preserving biodiversity and protecting bees, transparently innovating sustainably, reducing its footprint for the climate, and creating a positive social impact.
It created the “Guerlain For Bees Conservation Program” to sustainably source ingredients. It’s also using more sustainable packaging and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The company supports women through its “Women for Bees” entrepreneurial beekeeping program with UNESCO. It also teaches younger generations about biodiversity and Bee preservation with the “Bee School” volunteer program for Guerlain employees.
The Line
The Orchidée Impériale skincare line centers around orchids and one duo of orchids in particular. Guerlain believes in the potential of this diverse plant so fiercely it opened an entire research center around it called the Orchidarium. This International Research Center studies orchids and their effects on skin longevity.
The Experimental Garden in Geneva, Switzerland, is a greenhouse that grows and studies different species of orchids. The Basic Research Laboratory in Strasbourg, France, studies orchids and identifies and analyzes the orchid longevity molecules. The Exploratory Nature Reserve in Yunnan, China, protects and reintroduces wild orchids into their natural environments.
From the Orchidée Impériale line, I tried three products: The Rich Cleansing Foam, The Essence-In-Lotion, and The Rich Anti-Aging Cream.
The Rich Cleansing Foam
This cleanser has a pH close to the skin’s (pH 6.3) to gently wash away impurities. Creamy and foamy, this wash makes the skin feel clean while remaining soft and firm. It uses Cell Respiration technology for smoother skin and smaller-looking pores.
This lathering formula also moisturizes the skin and helps preserve the skin’s hydration balance with the Orchid Essential Water complex. It even adds a healthy glow to the complexion.
Use this cleanser in the morning and evening as the first step of the Imperiale Complete Care ritual.
The Essence-in-Lotion
Also using the Orchidée Essential Water complex and Cell Respiration technology, this soothing and hydrating formula prepares the skin for further skincare, helping it absorb products more readily. It also intensely hydrates the face for a soft, smooth texture plumped with wrinkle-minimizing moisture.
Along with reducing the appearance of pores for a smooth and luminous look, this toner also soothes the skin, making it feel as good as it looks. Use a few drops in the morning and evening as the second step of this skincare routine.
The Rich Cream
This non-greasy cream uses nourishing Abyssinian oil rich in omegas 3, 6, and 9. It moisturizes dry skin and helps it maintain its hydration levels to create a dense and firm texture that’s still soft and smooth to the touch.
Along with hydrating the skin, this thick, silky cream also helps the face look visibly younger, healthier, and brighter.
The Results
These formulas work well individually, but even more so as a trio. They possess incredible anti-aging benefits that play off one another to boost the total effect.
Each step nourishes and hydrates the skin, which plumps it with moisture that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The wash, toner, and cream also shrink the visibility of pores for a smoother texture while improving the face’s firmness, elasticity, and density. All three steps boost the skin’s radiance for a healthy, luminous, lit-from-within glow.
Like with most skincare products, some results were instant while others took time.
When you switch up your skincare routine (and haircare too, for that matter), it takes your skin a little while to adjust to the new formulas. That’s why you can’t judge how well a product works until several consistent weeks—or even months—of use.
The first time I used these, I could feel a difference right away. Guerlain uses top-of-the-line ingredients, and that’s noticeable when you use any of their products. Each step felt like a luxury experience with soothing, hydrating, and refreshing benefits.
After a few weeks, I wasn’t experiencing any typical signs of dry patches. My skin always felt clear and calm. I even got compliments on my skin where people asked what I do for my skincare routine.
The best part is that just a little of each of these formulas goes a long way. Especially with the cream, a small dab will cover your entire face.
Even with the weight of the bottles, you know you’re getting quality from the moment you pick these products up. And each formula has a pleasant, delicate orchid scent that always brings up childhood memories and makes me feel close to my mom.
While I love these formulas, I know she will enjoy them just as much. I’m going to get doubles for my mom during the upcoming holidays (and maybe some backups for myself), and I recommend anyone looking for true anti-aging skincare try them out as well.
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com
