Review: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

The Shiseido Ultimune serum is one of the most promoted Shiseido products I’ve ever encountered. I attended the Shiseido VIP Ultimune tour when it arrived in Richmond, and was given a presentation of the product, which is touted to help improve the skin’s immunity by targeting the Langerhans cells in your skin. You use it before your serum and other skincare products, and it will help to heighten the benefits of those products. I won’t focus too much on the claims of the product, and will test it for efficacy in improving my skin quality.

My skin profile: I have very dehydrated cheeks with a t-zone that gets oily. I occasionally get break-outs, usually 1-2 around that time of the month. My main skin concerns are hyper-pigmentation and dehydration in the cheek area and fine lines in the eye area. My ideal skincare products are ones that provide good moisture to my skin, absorb quickly and leave no left-over product sitting on top of my skin.

What it claims (from The Bay): Time. Exposure. Stress. What if your skin had immunity? Like your body, your skin has its own immune system. Now, after 20 years of research, Shiseido makes the first direct approach to skin’s Langerhans cells, the immune power source behind healthy, damage less skin. Strong skin becomes your beautiful reality at any age. Immediately your skin feels smoother and more supple. Firmness and resilience improve. Finally, the skin you were always meant to have, strong and beautiful, now and over time.

Price: C$78 for 30mL or C$115 for 50mL

Texture/Scent: Light gel-like fluid, scented with rose and lotus

How to use: The Shiseido Ultimune serum is a “pre-serum,” as in you use it after your cleanser, toner and before your serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. One pump is enough for the face, or 1.5-2 pumps for your face, neck and decollete area.

The good: The Ultimune serum absorbs quicky and I felt that it made my skin feel more hydrated. It is very light in texture, and was a pleasure to apply on the skin. It also smells amazing – so soothing when used before bed. I love the packaging of it, housed in a glass, semi-translucent red bottle with a pump, it is super luxurious yet practical.

• Hydrating
• Absorbs quickly
• Smells great
• Beautiful packaging

The bad: I didn’t notice any improvement in my skin’s texture, tone, or overall. I didn’t use this with Shiseido products, so it might just be that it only works the best with other Shiseido products (which naturally, could be true).

• Didn’t notice any benefits to the skin

Overall: This product is very “nice to have” but not must have. If you already use Shiseido products in your skin care regime, then I would recommend that you at least check this out as I’ve heard phenomenal things about it from people who do use Shiseido products. Unfortunately, I don’t use other Shiseido products in my current regime so I wasn’t able to reap the maximum benefits of it.

Product: 12/20
Packaging: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 21/30 | B-
Repurchase? No

Ingredients: