Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Moisture Boost Concentrate Review

As one of my 2013 Skincare Resolutions, I've been looking for ways to amp up my  moisturizing regimen. So I stopped by Yves Rocher Trinoma to check out their heavily marketed Hydra Vegetal line. The campaign, featuring clear water and a mint green color scheme, is more akin to juice ads than skincare. But I can tell you it really suits the products.
Yves Rocher (pronounced Eve Ro-shay) is a skincare and makeup brand that's been around since 1959. The company sources its key ingredients from botanical plants found in La Gacilly, France. For the line, Yves Rocher claims to have tapped into botanical saps their for water retention.
English text on the box
I went for the Moisture Boost Concentrate, a serum-like substance and reportedly the star of the Hydra Vegetal range. It is said to contain maple tree and blue agave saps that "lock in water and diffuse it deeply in every layer of skin," providing "immediate hydration +104%." Lofty claims aren't they? A look at the ingredients shows that's composed primarily of water, and dimethicone as an emollient. It's also nice to see shea butter, salicylic acid, and tocopheryl acetate in there.

Product details in French, click for larger view

Packaging

I always appreciate expiry dates clearly stamped on the box
and on the bottle.
Speaking of the packaging, this comes in a transparent aqua-green bottle, very solid and classy-looking. I've been using it for two months, morning and evening, and as you can see I've got about two and a half more months worth of product left.

How I Use It

One pump dispenses more than enough product for thin layer over my face and neck. The consistency is in between that of an essential oil and a moisturizer. Here's a comparison of the Concentrate with the Hydrating Gel Cream, a moisturizer from the same line that is meant to be used over the serum to "seal it in," so to speak. I use any moisturizer I'm testing at the moment.
The Concentrate is not at all sticky and is absorbed within a minute. I don't apply moisturizer under sunscreen because I don't like layering products on my face, but I really like using this for that purpose. It's super light and not at all oily, but keeps my face hydrated.
The Concentrate smells clean and faintly herbal. I apply it in small parts of my face at a time, and the scent makes it a very relaxing process. There's also a cooling effect, which you get with many water-based products.

Does It Work?

Since using this I've noticed my skin has become plumper and smoother (and no, I don't think that is due to the weight I'm gaining hrrrr), dewy even without makeup on. I have to say that this serum is part of the reason why I've been compliant with the moisturizing part of my skincare resolutions.

The Wrap

Pros

• Does what it says: hydrates
• Light, non-sticky, not oily
• Has a mild cooling effect
• Contains salicylic acid
• Pump dispenses appropriate amount of product
• Quite affordable

Cons

• The cap slips off easily
• Those with sensitive skin might be wary of the perfume and alcohol in this

Because I bought an item from the Hydra Vegetal range, the SA included a 7-day sample kit containing the Cleansing Milk, Toner, and Hydrating Gel Cream from the line. These are generous samples that are so great for travel! I'm actually really liking the toner.
The Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Moisture Boost Concentrate retails for PhP 900 at all Yves Rocher branches.
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