Most brands’ distinctive factor is addressing a specific skin concern or type, but actually, a lot of our skin’s needs are the same. It’s under that premise that the French beauty brand, PERS, operates. The PERS protocol – pioneered by a renowned French aesthetic doctor – comprises four key steps, which we are advised to approach as a cosmetic skincare prescription:
Protect: Protecting the skin against external aggression (every morning).
Enhance: Enhancing the skin for a glow-up effect (any time of the day).
Repair: Repairing the skin barrier (alternating with the Stimulate step).
Stimulate: Accelerating the skin renewal process (to alternate with Repair).
Now available in the UK, PERS aims to bridge the gap between high-end, luxury skincare and medical products, offering a range of skincare heroes that promise to deliver just what your skin needs – not less, not more – and are both elegant and efficient.
First impressions matter
Of course, the glass bottles and packaging bolsters this mission significantly – these truly feel like sumptuous yet timeless products with simple lines, shapes, and a muted and dusky colour palette. The kind of simple yet regal aesthetic one would expect from a perfume.
Adding to the luxury feel is a signature scent, designed by in collaboration with Sidonie Lancesseur, perfumer at Robertet, which is present across all products.
But looking at the ingredients list, we can see that there is just as much substance as there is style. All the products are vegan, paraben-free, and contain up to 97% ingredients of natural origin, as well as best grade active ingredients. We got to try some of them – here’s how they performed:
Light Cream Hydrating Emulsion
The Light Cream Hydrating Emulsion is a lightweight formula aimed at delivering long-lasting moisture without overwhelming the skin. It contains a blend of hydrating and soothing ingredients that help maintain a healthy skin barrier while keeping the complexion balanced and comfortable.
I was pleasantly surprised by how nourishing this cream felt despite its light texture. It sinks in almost instantly and provides just the right amount of moisture, so it is a great everyday moisturiser. It also layers well under sunscreen AND makeup, which is a big plus. It’s best for normal to combination skin (if you have dry skin, you may want to look at PERS Rich Cream instead).
Vitamin C 10% Serum
PERS’s Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula designed to fight free radical damage, boost collagen production, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and dullness over time. Upon the first application, the serum didn’t feel sticky or cause tingling. It absorbed smoothly and layered well under both moisturiser, sunscreen and make-up.
We know Vitamin C is a powerful supplement for brightening and evening skin tone, but some formulations can cause irrigation. This one offers added hydrating and soothing agents so you can reap the benefits of Vitamin C without risks. Retails for £85.
0.3% Retinol Serum
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient in skincare. PERS’s Retinol Concentrated Serum aims to deliver the benefits of retinol without the harshness, making it suitable even for those with sensitive skin. The formula is also enriched with soothing agents that counteract potential irritation such as excessive peeling or redness.
It absorbs quickly and leaves a velvety finish, so it feels surprisingly comfortable (those that use retinol as part of their skincare routine know these products often leave the skin feeling drier and tighter than usual).
It seems like a well-balanced formula that caused no redness or flaking (though my skin isn’t particularly sensitive). Available here for £95.
Eye Cream Eye Contour Repair
The Eye Cream Eye Contour Repair is set to hydrate, de-puff, and smooth the delicate under-eye skin. It is infused with peptides and hydrating agents, targeting fine lines and dark circles. The texture is light but substantial enough to leave the eye area feeling refreshed and nourished without interfering with makeup application.
It doesn’t have an instant tightening effect, but I did feel less puffiness over time. It also sits beautifully under concealer. It is available here and retails for £50.
The answer to uncomplicated luxury
If we needed a reminder that the French do it better, we have it now in the form of PERS. PERS positions itself as an antidote to overcomplicated skincare, and in that respect, it really succeeds. The formulations are well-considered, effective, and suitable for a wide range of skin types.
The PERS range is a strong contender for those that just want to simplify their skincare routine but value the thoughtfulness and detail of high-end products. I wouldn’t want to part with them—not least because my bathroom shelf has never looked better.