A Star is (Re)Born: Introducing Clarins’ Double Serum

In his first interview in Southeast Asia, Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins gives us the inside scoop on the ninth iteration of Clarins’ iconic Double Serum.

Since its founding in 1954, French luxury skincare brand, Clarins, has built a global reputation for using plant-based ingredients to create cutting-edge skincare solutions that promote both beauty and self-confidence. Today, at the heart of this legacy is Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins, the Managing Director of Clarins Group and a visionary of the skincare industry who is shaping the brand’s future. 

Recently, Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins made his Southeast Asian interview debut, a significant moment for both him and the region. With the launch of the ninth-generation Double Serum, he sat down with BURO Malaysia to share insights into his pioneering work, the power of epigenetics, and how Clarins is once again revolutionising skincare. 

Clarins and the Power of Plants 

Since its inception, Clarins has championed the idea that nature holds the key to healthier, more radiant skin. The brand’s ethos is firmly entrenched in the use of botanicals, combining plant science with advanced skincare technology. This philosophy is reflected in the brand’s flagship product: Double Serum, which has become synonymous with anti-ageing innovation. 

Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins emphasizes this connection between nature and skincare as a critical element of his research. “Clarins was built on the belief that plants have immense healing and regenerating properties for the skin,” he explains. This holistic approach is what has enabled the brand to develop products that cater to both the body’s biological needs and the emotional aspects of beauty—empowering people to feel confident and radiant in their skin. 

A Legacy of Innovation: The Story of Double Serum 

Clarins’ Double Serum first made its mark in 1985, introducing a revolutionary dual-phase formula that mixed oil and water-based ingredients to deliver comprehensive skincare benefits. Over the decades, Double Serum has been reimagined and reformulated, each time incorporating new plant extracts and scientific insights to better address the ageing process. 

As Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins shares, “It is very important to keep to the original concept of our Double Serum, which has two phases: one oil, one water. The fragrance, which was developed by a Japanese master perfumer, has also remained constant, which is not an easy thing to do when you are adding new ingredients.” This balance of legacy and innovation has been central to the product’s enduring success.

The Ninth-Generation Double Serum: A Leap Forward 

In 2024, the ninth generation of Double Serum was launched, a milestone that Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins heralds as a paradigm shift in skincare technology.

“We wanted to find the most powerful active ingredient that was able to adapt and survive in a harsh environment,” he reveals, “and it was the giant Provençal reed extract that had the best capacity to survive.” This resilient plant, used for the first time in cosmetics, plays a pivotal role in addressing epi-ageing—the accelerated skin ageing caused by lifestyle factors such as pollution, UV exposure, and stress. 

Epigenetics is the study of how lifestyle and environmental factors influence gene expression without altering DNA. In the context of skincare, epigenetics reveals how external influences like pollution or UV rays can “switch off” genes responsible for youthful skin, accelerating the ageing process. The ninth-generation Double Serum leverages the epi-ageing defense technology, which targets these external aggressors at a genetic level. 

Clarins has been at the forefront of research into epi-ageing, a concept that Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins helped bring to life. “For the first time in skincare history, we have an extract full of flavonoids and molecules able to boost defense against the impact of epigenetics,” he says. 

To validate the effectiveness of Double Serum in combating epi-ageing, Clarins conducted a groundbreaking study on 60 sets of identical twins, ranging in age from 35 to 64. “This study was quite unique,” Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins remarks. “It was the first time a laboratory carried out this kind of experiment on monozygotic twins to really see the effects of Double Serum, no matter the age or skin condition.” 

The results were compelling: Double Serum was shown to visibly reduce the impact of epi-ageing. Wrinkles were reduced by 20 percent, radiance improved by 46 percent, and skin texture became more uniform by 46 percent. “It was quite an achievement to highlight all these figures for the first time,” says Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins. 

Looking to the Future 

As Clarins continues to push the boundaries of skincare, Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins’ work reflects the brand’s unwavering commitment to nature, science, and beauty. His groundbreaking research into epigenetics has opened new frontiers for anti-ageing skincare, while his dedication to preserving the essence of the Double Serum underscores Clarins’ legacy of innovation.

Yet, for all his professional achievements, Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins’ pride shines brightest when speaking of his twin daughters, both of whom have joined the family business. “My greatest achievement are my twin daughters, who both work at Clarins. I am very proud of them and all that they do,” he shares with palpable warmth. 

As the torch passes to the next generation, the Courtin-Clarins family continues to blend tradition with innovation, ensuring that Clarins remains at the forefront of skincare science. With fresh perspectives and a deep-rooted understanding of the brand’s philosophy, the future of Clarins seems poised for even greater breakthroughs, promising to empower countless more individuals to feel confident and radiant in their skin for generations to come.

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