Review: Dior Capture Youth Plump Filler Serum
I’ve always believed that the true measure of a beauty product, be it make-up or skincare, is how soon you feel the need to run out and re-purchase it when its all gone. After all, products come and go (and god knows I’ve been through my share over the years) but there are some that just work for us, and when we find them, we don’t want to let them go. Given that I’m already onto my second bottle of Dior’s Capture Youth Plump Filler Serum, you could say that it works for me, and that I am really rather fond of it. It has been a constant feature in my skincare routine for a little over six months now, and I genuinely wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to anyone. But I suppose that, instead of just gushing, I should probably attempt to explain why this is.
Firstly, a bit of background: the Plump Filler Serum is one of six serums introduced by Dior as part of their Capture Youth range last year, each of which is formulated to target a specific skin concern. I used a different formula, the Matte Maximizer, religiously from last January to last November, when my skin was significantly more oily and in need of ‘mopping up’ constantly, and I certainly still rate it for keeping very oily skins in check. But something happened to my skin late last year — in hindsight, it was probably winter’s fault — and it suddenly became all tight and uncomfortable. Oiliness and breakouts were no longer my primary concern…I needed hydration and I needed it fast.
Step forward the Plump Filler! Of the six serums that make up the Capture Youth range, the Plump Filler is, as its name suggests, the most concerned with plumping up and hydrating the skin. (The other five, including the aforementioned Matte Maximizer, are formulated to address severe dryness, redness/rosacea, oiliness, lack of firmness, and dullness respectively.) After being informed by an expert that my skin was dehydrated, and after combing through whatever unbiased reviews I could find online, I decided to invest in the Plump Filler and asked the wonderful team at my local Dior counter to put a bottle to one side for me. I started using it on November 1st last year and, other than a brief hiatus this March when I wasn’t sure if I could justify buying another bottle, I haven’t looked back since.
Formulated with naturally derived hyaluronic acid molecules and enriched with iris extract, the Plump Filler is an absolute treat for parched skin, even if you’re on the oilier side like me. It is especially ideal for skin that has been compromised by external stress, such as a sudden change in temperature or too much sun, and as such it was ideal for getting my skin through winter in one piece (which is more than can be said for the rest of me!) At £75 a bottle, however, it is quite the investment, but if you’re going to splash out on any one skincare item it might as well be a serum. I am of course onto my second bottle now, but used a.m. and p.m., my first lasted me approximately four months. If you can justify it, I promise you will see a significant improvement in a relatively short space of time.
Texture-wise, it is a lovely viscous fluid which is neither too thick nor too runny, and it sinks into the skin beautifully without being sucked up and disappearing into nothing, or leaving a weird tacky residue behind. I am currently using it morning and night after Joanna Vargas’ Rescue Serum, but before moisturiser, and it just seems to lock in hydration unlike anything else I’ve tried. In addition to hydrating the skin, it minimises the appearance of fine lines and fatigue, and I’ve certainly found that my make-up sits much more comfortably on my skin throughout the day since I started using this. It’s also an ideal companion for long-haul flights, as I discovered on my recent trip to Tokyo. Old or young, dry or oily…I don’t think you can really go wrong with Dior’s Capture Youth Plump Filler Serum, and I highly recommend giving it a try.
This piece was originally published on Part Time Beauty in 2019.