The Story of Clarins Double Serum

Clarins Double Serum launched 36 years ago, and for over three decades, the anti-ageing serum has stood alone in the spotlight. We want to honour the history of this iconic skincare product that has seen nine generations in its time. Here are the key moments in its story so far…

1985 is where the story begins. Clarins Founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins wanted to launch a product that housed all essential skincare ingredients for youthful skin in one formula. Unfortunately, due to some ingredients being water soluble and others oil, this wasn’t possible. Instead, Jacques Courtin-Clarins had the idea to offer customers two bottles to mix. The name of this innovation was called Double Serum, which contained eighteen active ingredients.

The second-generation Clarins Double Serum remained in two bottles but gained a new formula that acted on the skin’s five vital functions (regeneration, oxygenation, nutrition, hydration, and protection).

As the world became privy to the damage pollution has on the skin, Clarins added vegetal and marine extracts to Double Serum for anti-pollution protection.

In 1996, two became one. Clarins waved farewell to two bottles and launched a single Double Serum bottle. This launch not only saw a new formula and texture, but it solved a big problem, the dosage. Customers had found it difficult until now to get the correct amount from the two bottles. For this generation, Clarins unveiled a single bottle with two chambers and one pump.

Always innovating, in 2002 Clarins enhanced their already best-selling serum by giving it a boosting action. The formula now stimulated the skin’s five vital functions, plus stimulated the skin’s energy.

The sixth-generation Double Serum also stimulated the skin’s vital functions, but it also considered the skin’s fragile nature and offered extra energy.

The seventh-generation Double Serum saw a complete makeover. The bottle has a modern face-lift, which looks very similar to the one we know today, and the formula was completely updated. Of the 20 actives in the serum, the only ingredient it used from its predecessors was maritime pine bark extract; all others were new additions.

It has the same 20 potent botanicals as the seventh generation, with the addition of turmeric, an antioxidant that protects skin from oxidative stress, improves cell communication and radiance. Clarins also improved the packaging; they added an adjustable dial that allows for customisable dosage.

The main update made to the 9th generation formula is the addition of Epi-ageing Defence Technology, which results from 4 years of epigenetic research and targets how modern life ages your skin. Additionally, the 2024 serum has 5 new pure active molecules that stimulate the skin’s 5 vital functions, plus Provence tall reed extract, a new ingredient used for the first time in cosmetics, which strengthens the skin’s resistance. The bottle now has rounded edges, new sustainable packaging from 94% recyclable materials, and completely customisable dispensing for a personalised skincare experience. Learn more about the latest Double Serum in our full review.