Even though global beauty giant L’Oréal already offers an extensive collection of anti-aging skin care products, they have launched yet another product that promises to smooth the look of wrinkles, firm skin, and promote radiance — L’Oréal Midnight Serum.
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | L'Oréal Midnight Serum |
Housed in an opaque glass bottle with gold accents, it’s clear that L’Oréal wants this serum to appeal to those who want luxury skin care products at drugstore prices.
However, just because L’Oréal Midnight Serum appears luxurious doesn’t mean that the formula is going to benefit your skin.
In order to determine whether L’Oréal Midnight Serum is worth trying out, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care.
We’ll also share some L’Oréal Midnight Serum reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
Is L’Oréal Midnight Serum Right For You?
Before we get into the details, here’s the TL;DR if you just want to know whether or not L’Oréal Midnight Serum is right for you.
- Key ingredients? Denatured alcohol, humectants, silicones
- Skin type? All skin types
- Texture? Lightweight serum
- Fragrance? Yes
- Cruelty free? No
- Cost? $43.99 USD for 1 oz
What Are The Key Ingredients in L’Oréal Midnight Serum?
In order to determine how well L’Oréal Midnight Serum performs, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula. Let’s get started.
Denatured Alcohol
Before we discuss the key ingredients in L’Oréal Midnight Serum, we have to point out a major problem with this formula: the brand uses a very high concentration of denatured alcohol (it’s the third highest concentration ingredient).
The problem with this type of alcohol is that, at first, it seems like it’s benefitting the skin. Initially, alcohol gives products a quick-drying finish, immediately degreases the skin, temporarily tightens and tones skin, and imparts a weightless feel.
That’s why you’ll notice that L’Oréal Midnight Serum absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling heavy, greasy, or sticky, while also disguising signs of aging.
However, using alcohol-based products long term can cause skin dryness, skin irritation, and even disruption of the skin barrier.
According to a publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes, alcohol can disrupt the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin).
While alcohol may provide short term benefits, it’s not doing your skin any good in the long run!
Silicones and Humectants
Another problem with L’Oréal Midnight Serum is that the brand combines denatured alcohol with several different silicones and humectants in order to disguise signs of aging.
Now don’t get us wrong; humectants and silicones aren’t bad ingredients.
Humectants draw moisture into the skin and, therefore, are very hydrating. Silicones impart a silky, smooth skin feel while also forming an invisible film on the surface of skin to lock in moisture.
But like we mentioned earlier, combining these ingredients with denatured alcohol temporarily disguises lines and wrinkles, causing you to think the product is working. In our opinion, this is pretty deceptive, and it’s one reason we don’t recommend L’Oréal Midnight Serum.
Sodium Hyaluronate and Squalane
There are a few beneficial ingredients in L’Oréal Midnight Serum, such as sodium hyaluronate and squalane.
Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid, a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers.
Sodium hyaluronate not only improves skin hydration, it can also help to give you a more plump, youthful complexion because the extra moisture is extra volume.
Squalane is super-light, non-greasy, and sinks into the skin fast, yet it helps the skin to instantly feel soft and moisturized.
However, the bottom line is the benefits of these ingredients don’t outweigh the risks of using an alcohol-based serum like L’Oréal Midnight Serum, especially considering that sodium hyaluronate and squalane are extremely common ingredients that can be found in many different skin care products.
Antioxidants
L’Oréal Midnight Serum contains an Antioxidant Recovery Complex. This is a combination neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, an ingredient derived from bitter orange, and vitamin c. Antioxidants provide protection against free radical damage.
But our favorite antioxidant serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
How to Use L’Oréal Midnight Serum?
Apply 3 to 4 drops of L’Oréal Midnight Serum to clean, dry skin every morning and evening.
Where to Buy L’Oréal Midnight Serum?
L’Oréal Midnight Serum is not sold on the brand’s website. Rather, you must buy L’Oréal skin care products from third party online retailers, such as Ulta, Amazon, Wagreens, Walmart, Target, etc.
How Much is L’Oréal Midnight Serum?
L’Oréal Midnight Serum costs $43.99 USD for 1 oz.
What is The L’Oréal Return Policy?
L’Oréal does not have a return policy on their website since they do not sell products on their website and, therefore, don’t accept returns.
Is L’Oréal Cruelty Free?
L’Oréal is not cruelty free. L’Oréal has been included on PETA’s list of companies that test on animals for many years because it refused to adopt a company-wide policy against tests on animals for both its ingredients and finished products, and because it sells cosmetics products in China that are required by law to be tested on animals by government agencies.
L’Oréal Midnight Serum Reviews
One review on The Derm Review says, “I tried Loreal Midnight Serum in late October and I started to get large pink blotches on my skin. This got worse and I got them all over my body and slight swelling in my lips a couple of time. I have never had an allergy before and the doctor said it was Urticaria and prescribed 4 months of Fexofenadine. Still have the pink swellings. I am 75 years old.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that L’Oréal Midnight Serum is poorly formulated, and while it may help to reduce signs of aging, this is just a trick due to the combination of denatured alcohol, humectants, and silicones.
Pros
- Many positive L’Oréal Midnight Serum reviews (4.6 out of 5 star)
Cons
- Formula contains a very high concentration of denatured alcohol
- Formula contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
- Formula contains artificial dyes
- L’Oréal is not cruelty free
- Several L’Oréal Midnight Serum reviews mention that it caused skin dryness
- If you’re looking for a product to target the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.
What Are The Best Alternatives?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend the Day & Night Routine.
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | L'Oréal Midnight Serum |
References:
BBA Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1410-1419
Beryl Ireland Original review: Nov 30, 2021.
I tried Loreal Midnight Serum in late October and I started to get large pink blotches on my skin. This got worse and I got them all over my body and slight swelling in my lips a couple of time. I have never had an allergy before and the doctor said it was Urticaria and prescribed 4 months of Fexofenadine. Still have the pink swellings. I am 75 years old.