L'Oreal: ​Youth ​Code ​Texture ​Perfector ​Serum

L'Oreal's ​"Pro-Gen" ​technology: ​fact ​or ​fiction? ​A ​semi-scientific ​analysis ​of ​this ​10 ​year ​in the ​making ​serum.

  • WR By: Wrinkle Report Beauty Advisors
Editor’s Rating:
3.0 / 5.0
 
L'Oreal Youth Code

Pros:

  • Softens ​and ​smooths ​skin ​texture
  • Formula ​includes ​peptides
  • Contains ​dimethicone, ​which ​can ​help ​seal ​in ​moisture

Cons:

  • Lacks ​studies ​to ​support ​strong ​scientific ​claims
  • Their ​main ​ingredient ​isn't ​proven ​to ​work ​topically
  • Their ​formula ​is ​not ​natural
  • Contains ​a ​lot ​of ​fillers, ​fragrances ​and ​preservatives

Overview: The Regenerator

L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum claims to improve hydration, diminish fine lines, and give your skin a fresh, healthy glow. It is considered a regeneration serum, as it alleges to improve skin cell turnover to restore the skin's youthful quality.

This serum is comparable to Lancome's Gentrifique Youth Activating Concentrate. Actually, L'Oreal and Lancome are owned by the same company, so it's usually just a matter of time before L'Oreal releases a virtually identical product.

That said, I wouldn't necessarily vouch that Youth Code's more elite predecessor Gentrifique even delivers on all its wrinkle-fighting promises, despite Lancome's high end reputation as a leading brand in the anti-aging arena. The same can easily be said for L'Oreal's Youth Code Serum.

A Closer Look: Unproven "Science"

Youth Code's infamous 10 years in the making "Pro-Gen" technology is based around a beneficial bacteria called bifida ferment lysate, a fermented yeast derived from sugar. L'Oreal claims this probiotic has unlocked the code for regenerating youthful skin.

WR
Editor’s Note
Watch ​out ​for ​alcohols ​as they ​can ​dry ​out ​your ​skin.

While probiotics are becoming increasingly popular in the field of health and wellness, no actual studies have proven their effectiveness when applied topically. There is limited research that fermented yeasts can offset oxidative skin damage, but not much more than any other household antioxidant. At best, bifida ferment lysate might have softening and emollient properties on the skin.

However - this is not what L'Oreal promises in its Pro-Gen marketing pitch. You would think after 10 years of rigorous research, L'Oreal might publish some of these studies. But they have not. L'Oreal's claims that its anti-aging tonics can change the genetic expression of our skin cells have been subject to much scrutiny. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission banned all their ads which made these kinds of unbacked scientific claims.

On the plus side, their formula does contain several peptides, which are common in good anti-aging products. It also has dimethicone, a silicone based polymer which creates a hydrating barrier on the skin. Dimethicone can superficially fill in your lines and wrinkles to create a plump look. However, this effect is only temporary. This ingredient does not actually improve lines and wrinkles.

Positives

  • It ​is ​absorbed ​quickly ​and ​does ​not ​leave ​greasy ​residue.
  • It ​softens ​the ​skin ​and ​can ​improve ​skin ​texture.
  • It ​contains ​peptides ​and ​dimethicone, ​which ​can ​help ​seal ​in ​moisture.
  • It ​might ​temporarily ​fill ​in ​wrinkles ​and ​fine ​lines ​to ​create ​the ​illusion ​of ​younger ​looking skin.

Negatives

  • The ​main ​claim ​that ​their ​product ​stimulates ​your ​genes ​to ​regenerate ​youthful ​skin ​does not ​have ​any ​studies ​to ​back ​it.
  • The ​primary ​active ​ingredient ​has ​not ​been ​proven ​to ​be ​effective ​when ​applied ​topically.
  • Their ​formula ​is ​not ​natural. ​It ​contains ​a ​lot ​of ​fillers, ​fragrances ​and ​preservatives ​such as ​phenoxyethanol ​which ​is ​believed ​to ​be ​unhealthy ​for ​the ​body.
  • Results ​are ​not ​consistent ​among ​users.
  • It ​does ​not ​make ​a ​significant ​difference ​in ​fine ​lines ​or ​wrinkles ​long-term.
  • There ​is ​a ​lot ​of ​alcohol ​in ​this ​product ​which ​can ​dry ​the ​skin ​and ​possibly ​lead ​to damage.

Conclusion: Consistently Inconsistent

While it does have some up-sides, this formula hasn't shown extremely promising results. The results have also been inconsistent. Youth Code is effective at smoothing and softening skin, and temporarily filling in lines. However, this product writes a lot of deceptively optimistic checks its unscientific formula can't cash.

Read our other reviews to find out which anti-aging products do live up to their promises.

WR

Senior Editor & Skincare Expert

Rebecca Austin is a well-established aesthetician with over 20 years experience in skincare. She has researched over 5,000 products over the past decade, striving to help her readers fine-tune their skincare routine so they can get the results they want.

HOW DOES L'OREAL YOUTH CODE SERUM COMPARE?

Product
Rating
Overview
(4.9)
 
  • Supports smoother, younger looking skin.
  • Clinically shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
(4.7)
 
  • Rescues and protects skin from damage.
  • Deeply moisturizes to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
(4.6)
 
  • Versatile, all-inclusive, anti-aging skincare
  • Restores youthfulness and radiance for the long term
(4.0)
 
  • Contains Ritapro 165, a next-gen moisturizer.
  • Helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
(3.8)
 
  • High-end European company with spa-quality products.
  • Uses Padina pavonica algae to boost collagen.