Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and the products featured were provided for review.This year,
Guerlain is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its bee-powered Abeille Royal skincare range. To get in on the action, I wanted to share with you the two new products introduced as a part of the range, along with a couple of long-time favorites. To read all about the new
Abeille Royal Cleansing Oil (C$76) and the
Abeille Royal Fortifying Lotion with Royal Jelly (C$90), click......
The first cleansing oil from Guerlain, the Abeille Royale Cleansing Oil is a gentle oil-based cleanser that effectively removes all dirt and makeup (even the waterproof ones) from the face, eyes, and lips. Formulated with squalane, royal jelly, and honey for a boost of nourishment, the cleansing oil has a strong honey fragrance. The lightweight texture breaks down all traces of makeup and emulsifies into a milky texture when mixed with water, washing off cleanly without any residues. It's definitely one of the better cleansing oils I've tried but it is also quite pricey.
Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Squalane, Royal Jelly, Mel (Honey), Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Beta-Sitosterol.
Guerlain | Abeille Royale Fortifying Lotion Toner with Royal Jelly (C$90 for 150 ml of C$144 for 300 ml):Designed to prep the skin for the Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil and Double R Serum (see below), the Fortifying Lotion Toner with Royal Jelly is a lightweight toner that promises a "hydrated, supple, and radiant" complexion. Rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, royal jelly is the food made by worker bees to feed bee larvae and the queen bee. In the Fortifying Lotion Toner, this precious ingredient has been encapsulated in lipid-membraned microvesicles that evenly distributes and fuses the jelly onto the skin to combat the effects of environmental pollution and internal stressors. Additionally, the toner contains top-grade healing honey sourced from France and New Zealand.
With a fairly strong but pleasant floral fragrance, the Fortifying Lotion comes in a plastic bottle with a small flat opening. The watery consistency spreads and absorbs very easily and it leaves the skin instantly hydrated with no sticky residue. I appreciate the silicone-free and alcohol-free formulation but do find the price a bit steep. However, this is a really nice toner that I would recommend for those looking to splurge on something that boosts suppleness and hydration. It certainly works as the perfect first step in the Abeille Royale routine but you can pair it with any other serum and moisturizer of your choosing.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Mel (Honey), Royal Jelly, Lecithin, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Angelica Keiskei (Ashitaba) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.Guerlain | Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil (C$68 for 15 ml, $129 for 30 ml or $188 for 50 ml):Described as neither an oil nor a water, the Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil pairs the "richness of an oil" with the "freshness of a lotion" in its unique lightweight formulation infused with nutrient-rich French Ouessant honey and royal jelly. Housed in a glass bottle equipped with a dropper dispenser, the Youth Watery Oil needs to shaken before each use to evenly distribute the microbeads of commiphora (myrrh) oil. The product has a clear liquid consistency that's just a touch more viscous than water. It's not quite a toner and not quite a serum but if I had to categorize the Youth Watery Oil, I would say that it's more of an essence. Like the Fortifying Lotion, the formulation is pretty heavily scented. It doesn't bother me too much but for those sensitive to fragrances, it might be a deal-breaker.
The Youth Watery Oil feels super pleasant on the skin. It spreads much easier than traditional facial oils and leaves the skin dewy but not greasy. Like the lotion, it's instantly hydrating but the oil components provide a nourishing effect. The formulation is not rich enough for all-day conditioning so it definitely needs to be paired with another product but it does provide a boost of radiance to the skin. My only criticism of the Abeille Royale (other than the strong scent) is the inclusion of alcohol as an ingredient; however, given the pleasant consistency and finish, I'm willing to turn a blind eye. Nevertheless, I would recommend getting the Fortifying Lotion instead of the Youth Watery Oil if you are new to the Abeille Royale range, especially given the price difference.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Methyl Gluceth-20, Alcohol, Royal Jelly, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose, Honey, Fragrance, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Peg-8, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Commiphora Mukul (Myrrh) Resin Extract, Limonene, Caramel, Triethyl Citrate, Benzyl Salicylate, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Sodium Metabisulfite, Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Sodium Lactate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Linalool, Tin Oxide, BHT, Tocopherol, Ci 14700 (Red 4), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12.
Guerlain | Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Serum (C$191 for 30 ml C$278 for 50 ml):Housed in a sturdy double-barreled plastic pump bottle, the Double R Renew & Repair Serum contains two distinct formulations that mix together only when dispensed. The first is the "renew" phase made with three different AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citrus acid) to provide the skin with a "soft peeling" effect that reduces fine lines and dullness. The second is the "repair" phase formulated with royal jelly and Ouessant honey that nourish the skin and stimulate collagen and hyaluronic synthesis. Like the previous Abeille Royale products, the Double R Serum is heavily scented with a "sun-drenched nectar" smell and although it looks quite viscous in the bottle, the serum is pretty lightweight. I'm not a fan of the high-alcohol content but do appreciate the relatively smaller amount of silicone used, which is rarely the case in luxury serums.
The formulation spreads nicely on the skin. There's a bit of a tacky residue but it's not much of a problem once it's topped with a moisturizer. The AHA action is quite gentle so I think the serum should work with sensitive skin although the fragrance may cause issues. In addition to the hydrating and smoothing properties, the serum feels lightly firming, giving the complexion a radiant, youthful appearance. I actually really recommend this serum but the price is exorbitant, even by Guerlain standards. So if you can get a tester sample, that would be the best start.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Honey, Isotridecylisononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Royal Jelly, Decyloxazolidinone, Lauroyl Lysine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Glycolic Acid, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Carbomer, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Lactic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Albizia Julibrissin (Persian Silk Tree) Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Adenosine, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Caramel, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus (Mondo Grass) Root Extract, Geraniol, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral, BHT, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Red 4 (Ci 14700), Tocopherol.
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