Despite having three young children, a host of royal responsibilities and always being on-the-go, Kate Middleton never ceases to amaze us when it comes to her plump, youthful glowing skin. Luckily for us, many of the products she uses are super attainable - including one serum in particular which I tested out for myself.
The Princess of Wales has been a long-time fan of Lancôme products, and even wore the brand’s Hypnose Mascara and Artliner eyeliner to her own wedding to achieve her iconic smokey eye look.
But, it’s Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Serum we’re talking about today, and it’s been reported that Princess Kate carries a bottle in her tour make-up bag to help combat signs of late nights, long flights and big events.
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Usually priced at £67 for a 30ml bottle, the anti-ageing serum has been dropped to £53.60 on Lancôme’s own website, and £60.30 on Lookfantastic.
![Lancôme Advanced Génifique 30ml Hydrating Face Serum](https://i2-prod.ok.co.uk/incoming/article32823431.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_sample.jpg)
With over 25,400 five-star reviews, and seeing as it’s been given the royal approval, I knew I had to try out this ‘magic’ serum for myself - and luckily, I bagged a free sample during my trip to John Lewis whilst on the hunt for a new hyaluronic acid.
Like our Princess Kate, I’ve always been a fan of the brand, and have core memories rummaging through my mum's makeup bag trying on a host of Lancôme goodies - so when it comes to skincare, I’m happy to put my trust in it.
The multi-tasking Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum is inspired by microbiome science, formulated to protect your skin’s natural barrier to help defend against pollution, cold weather and temperature changes.
Seven pre- and probiotic-derived extracts are combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, helping to visibly plump and smooth skin. Ideal if you’re suffering with dry skin, the formula locks in hydration while enhancing natural luminosity which could be the reason why Princess Kate is always glowing.
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, the lightweight serum should be used to prep your skin before applying your favourite moisturiser, and any makeup you may be wearing that day.
Seeing as it’s pretty pricey, I wanted to test the product out for at least a week before committing to buying the larger bottle - and it’s safe to say I’m impressed. The water-like texture is super hydrating without leaving a sticky or greasy residue on the skin, meaning it’s perfectly prepped for my moisturiser both day and night.
I really like how the serum is clear too as it is absorbed into my skin within seconds, just leaving a beautiful glowy sheen behind. The best part for me has to be its cooling effect it has on your skin straight away which is ideal for keeping you feeling refreshed on-the-go this summer. This product isn't heavily fragranced either, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.
![Texture of Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum](https://i2-prod.ok.co.uk/incoming/article32823336.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_Clear.jpg)
It's not just me who's a fan of the serum either as the thousands of shoppers have left five-star reviews on the Lancôme website, calling the skincare hero 'beauty in a bottle' and their 'go to for healthy looking skin!'
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Like all skincare products, the serum doesn't work for everyone, and some found little to no results even after using it for a few months. One shopper said: "I love Lancôme and always love trying their new products. I’ve used this product for about six months and didn’t see much, if any results."
If you don't want to splash out on just one product, a great affordable alternative I recommend is the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum from The Ordinary, priced at just £8.80 for a 30ml bottle.
Similar to Lancôme’s pricier counterpart, the budget-friendly hydrating serum instantly hydrates and plumps while smoothing texture and wrinkles.