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Guinot
Who are Guinot?
The French company, Guinot, have been a specialist skincare company for 40 years. They produce a wide range of products and spa treatments. Their products are not tested on animals and are hypoallergenic.
Their products come in - we think - quite old-fashioned packaging, but others probably find it "classic". The products themselves are certainly classic; people who use Guinot products tend to be loyal to them.
What's their "thing"? (USP)
Guinot are known for being a pretty upmarket brand, famous for their Hydradermie Treatments.
Guinot's spa treatments feature lymph drainage massage, rollers and electricity, all designed to stimulate your muscles, lymph and blood flow to give you healthier skin. Their facial treatments are really good for tightening pores, firming your skin, and evening your skin tone. We've never come across anyone who didn't really enjoy their Guinot facial and feel very relaxed and refreshed afterwards.
They say:
"The brand positions itself as the designer of beauty treatments and professional skincare products. Unlike other cosmetics that educate consumers through advertising and promotional material, the founder of Guinot, Jean Daniel Mondin, supports 'the prescription cosmetic'; since a beauty product is seriously designed it should be seriously prescribed."
We say:
"We enjoyed using all of the Guinot products we tested, due to their easy application and very effective results. We were left wanting more!"
Guinot products - what have we tried?
Crème Protection Reparatrice Face Cream 50ml, RRP £46
Single Spy:
I love the fragrances of all the Guinot products, and this is no exception. The scent is slightly herbal rather than floral, so as soon as I unscrewed the lid of the little white tube, I was happy.
My skin absorbed the rich cream very easily, and didn't feel at all greasy, just very softened. This isn't just a day cream, though. The packaging announces: "Protective Shield and Soothing Repairing Care For Vulnerable Skin". The moisturiser forms a protective barrier to help your skin defend itself from sunshine and wind. The protective element comes partly from Omega 6 essential fatty acids which reinforce the skin, but also from Phytoprotectol (I'd love to know what this actually is).
This face cream is probably going to suit you best if you have sensitive or delicate skin, as the avocado extract and shea butter it contains soothe as well as replenish. My only disappointment was that I got through the 50ml very quickly! Does it come in crates?
Verdict: A soothing cream for sensitive skin that leaves you wanting more!
Lift bronze youth defence sunscreen 50ml, RRP £37.75
Sensitive Spy:
I was misguidedly flattered to be given the youth defence sunscreen, but slightly unconvinced by the '80s-style bronze tube. The cream smells pleasantly sweet, almost caramelly, and is quickly absorbed. The instructions advise you to put the cream on at least half an hour before going into the sun, but this responsible approach to protecting your skin seems to contradict the relatively low SPF (10).
At around £36 for 50ml, it is more than I would usually spend on suncream, but would consider this as a beauty product. After several uses, the sweet smell grew on me. I would certainly consider buying this product again, but for use as a daily moisturiser than hardcore sun defence. I like the idea that the cream contains "soft focus pigments to reduce the appearance of fine lines", too.
Verdict: An easily absorbed sunscreen, best used as a lightly protective moisturiser.
Youth Renewing Serum 30ml, RRP £72.25
Sedate Spy:
According to their literature, Guinot originally developed their anti-ageing skin care in a burns unit, researching how to recreate new skin. The Guinot brand does indeed have that lovely French scientific way about it. I love the elegant white packaging and the easy to use applicator. Every time I use it, I get the feeling that this serum must be doing its job!
They claim that "skin is internally strengthened, firmer after the first application, lines disappear". To my amazement, by golly, I actually think they do! I had the 30ml one-month intensive treatment. I applied the serum morning and night religiously, and began to feel the benefits within the first few days. I love this product! Can't wait for Guinot to do the same for my thighs...
Verdict: A fabulous beauty serum that works immediately.
Eye anti-ageing sun protection 15ml, RRP £57.75
Sensitive Spy:
This SPF-30 anti-ageing sun protection with "nucleic defense" was a challenge to test during the winter months, although I will definitely be using this come spring.
This sunscreen allows you to tan while protecting against sun-induced ageing and contains "cellular life complex with 56 active ingredients".
Once you get past the jargon, this is an easily absorbed anti-ageing sunscreen. I would prefer to use this on my face than the SPF 10 above.
Verdict: An easily absorbed suncream for the eyes.
Nutri Cellulaire Face Serum 30ml, RRP £72.25
Sassy Spy:
"Comfort and softness through cellular nutrition." Sounded like the cells of my face would be enjoying some kind of feast.
The instructions on the 30ml white plastic bottle advise using it as a one-month treatment. So I dedicated the next four weeks to using it every morning, and most nights.
The opaque white serum is easy to dispense with a pump action; one or two pumps is enough for face and neck, depending on how dry your skin is. The serum is lightly fragranced, rather like talcum powder. That's OK if you like talcum powder.
My skin is normal to combination, although during the winter months it can get quite dry and dehydrated. After application, my skin felt soft and smooth. I was really impressed with the results, which I felt were noticeable even after a week.
Verdict: A pleasingly effective non-greasy serum that leaves no residue.
Diam'sun Glowing Tanning Oil Factor 6 150ml, RRP £30
Salubrious Spy:
Initially I was confused as to why anyone would bother using an oil that's just factor 6, especially as general advice seems to be not to bother with any sunscreen below SPF 15. But, in the name of research, I gave it a go.
The oil is in a brown-tinted transparent dispenser (think Ambre Solaire circa 1970). The oil itself is slightly pinkish brown with a fine golden shimmer, less fine if you give the bottle a good shake. I applied a fine mist of the pleasant-scented oil to my arms and legs and they were immediately converted from slightly pasty to subtly bronzed in just three squirts - not bad.
I realised that I'd been missing the point. The Diam'sun oil is best used as an everyday subtly shimmering body oil, not as sun protection. I finally clicked on the name, too: diam(ond) sun - get it? Probably not something I'd use everyday, but nice if you're going out in the evening in a summer dress.
Verdict: A very girly shimmery bronzing body oil.
Where can I try Guinot products?
You can try Guinot products at these spas:
Where can I buy Guinot products?
* Visit the Guinot website for further details and find a local stockist.
See also:
* Our Guinot Hydrodermie Facial experience at Sprowston Manor
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