I was very excited when I discovered the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum! I’m a big fan of placenta in skincare after I first discovered placenta beauty supplements and skincare a few years ago in Tokyo where it’s everywhere. I even plan on encapsulating my own placenta after my baby is born (I’m currently 39 weeks pregnant!) and ingesting it for the postpartum benefits.
Many of the placenta skincare products I fell in love with in Japan are not readily available here in the states so when I first discovered the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum was available online I was thrilled!
Placenta has been found in studies to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) in the skin and help with brightening pigment. I was hoping the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum would help with some of the persistent hyper pigmentation spots I have on my cheeks and the overall dryness, but after about two weeks of using the placenta serum, I saw very little improvement in my skin. There was some brightening, but it was minimal. And the results were actually quite disappointing for the extravagant price.
I think with expensive products the expectations are higher, so it’s even more of a let down when you pay so much only to see small improvements. And it was extra frustrating since many of the Japanese products I tried and found effective were only $20-80.
I’m going to continue using up the rest of the bottle of the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum, but unfortunately I won’t be repurchasing it and would suggest if you’re looking for something to brighten pigment to try the new In Fiore Lumiere face oil that’s coming out at the end of May. I’ve been testing it out (review coming soon) and it contains fat soluble vitamin C (amazing for brightening pigment especially for those with sensitive skin that can’t handle ascorbic acid) which I found to dramatically brighten more effectively than the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum.
Ingredients: Water (aqua), hydrolyzed placental protein, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin
Price: $120
Want more? Read about the benefits of Japanese placenta beauty supplements or placenta encapsulation.
Photographed and written by Amy Chang, founder + editor