In the competitive beauty industry, Sisley Paris is one of the few brands that holds a mystical status, consistently delivering cult-like, botanical-based products that straddle the blurry line between efficacy and luxury. Now, the family-owned company, Sisley Group Laboratories, has launched its first new standalone skincare line, named Neuraé after the Greek words for nerves and emotions. The products are inspired by research into the connection between the central nervous system and the skin, or the “mind-skin” connection. While the science is complex, the concept is relatively simple: the skin connects nervous, immune, dermatological, and endocrine functions, and our emotional state impacts the health and appearance of our skin.
Sisley’s just-launched line consists of a serum, three targeted creams, and three roll-on fragrances, each aiming to address common negative emotions like sadness, stress, and fatigue and how they affect the skin. The line hopes to improve both the inside and the outside: The Serenite Balm fights wrinkles and loss of muscle tone caused by worry; the Joie Emulsion uses anti-aging, fermented red ginseng extract to boost skin’s radiance; and the Energy Cream is formulated with red indigo and seaweed extracts to provide mood-boosting and firming benefits, which Neurae claims. circle Our editors put Neuraé to the test and shared their honest opinions on the results.
Ashlee Simpson, Contributing Writer
Tell us about your skin type and current condition.
I have combination, dry, sensitive skin, and while I rarely break out in acne, I do get red after facials and most active ingredients are too strong for me (my last spa day left me with a tingling sensation around my eyes for a few weeks).
Do you feel like your emotional life is affecting your skin, such as increased stress, lack of sleep, or sadness?
I have to say it has been a tough year so far. It has affected my skin. My main concerns now are wrinkles caused by dehydration, sun damage and stress. I feel like I have aged 10 years since my marriage ended. I am willing to try anything to ease the mental burden and reduce the appearance of physical wrinkles.
Have you tried all four products in the Neuraé line?
Yes, I have tried all of the products, starting with the serum, then alternating between the green Energy Cream, the calming blue Serenite Balm, and the pink Joie Emulsion, which I used most often in the hopes of glowing.
Please describe your experience testing these products.
I used the products in the morning and night, starting with the serum first, then layering on the cream, using whichever I felt I needed most at the time. During the day, I would occasionally try the Serenite Booster for a little mood boost. (My favorite of the roller scents was the spa-like, transformative scent that wasn’t too overpowering.) I’ve been traveling a lot lately and I found the line incredibly calming, providing some calm during a busy week at the airport.
The products are natural and gentle on the skin, almost like a cushion. I never had to worry about irritation or overreaction, and the scents matched well with each emotional concept. Did I feel any improvement? I don’t know. But since incorporating the Neuraé line into my daily life, I have felt more relaxed than with many other skincare products. And the soothing scents added a much-needed element of meditation.
Was this line effective? Would you use it again?
I’m a real skincare skeptic. I resist most marketing claims and am usually happy with products that feel good on my skin and aren’t damaging. This one ticks those boxes. Did the Pink Joy Cream, which is meant to combat sadness, give me a visible glow? Did the Harmony Serum calm my skin? I’m not sure, but I liked the routine and feel of the products and will happily continue to use them.
Mariam Lieberman, Beauty Editor
What is your current skin condition?
My skin is normal, but just like how I’ve been feeling lately, my skin has been feeling a bit sensitive lately. Honestly, I think lack of sleep and hydration are the main reasons why I look so underwhelming. Emotionally, being stressed can lead to poor sleep quality in general, which is also not good.
Was there any Neuraé product that particularly caught your eye?
I tried all four products, but chose to test Energie La Crème over a longer period of time because I was drawn to the “refreshing” and “energizing” ingredients it promised. I wanted more of these effects in my life.
What did you think of the Neuraé line?
First, a little background: I start my day early, while it’s still dark outside. I always feel a surge of positive energy during that time of day, so before I start my morning workout, I do my skincare routine to set me in the right mood for the day.
I used this face cream and serum together every morning. The scent was lovely, not too strong. I’d read that the red indigo extract, an ingredient in the formula, can foster positive emotions and help with fatigue. To my surprise, this was indeed the case, and it left me with an overall feeling of joy. (Maybe this is just a psychosomatic symptom of my love for all things Sisley.)
Has this line worked for you? Have you noticed any improvement in your skin concerns?
I’m into crystals, Reiki healing, sound therapy, and all that “woo woo” stuff that promotes positivity but doesn’t necessarily have the scientific evidence to back up the results. I’d like to believe that Neuraé’s products had a positive effect on my mood, but honestly, when I’m not trying out a new face cream or serum, I go back to my trusty skin care products that always give me great results. Sometimes I reach for Énergie La Crème (especially early in the morning or when I’m sad), but at $170 a bottle, I’d rather save up and buy another bottle of Sisleÿa L’Integral Anti Age Cream, which has an immediate and amazing effect on my skin. And after spending $640 on that product, I’m going to do everything in my power to reduce stress.
Ashley Peña, Digital Designer
Was there a particular skin concern you were hoping to address with the Neuraé line?
I’ve struggled with hormonal acne for a few years now, but it’s gotten a lot better recently since I simplified my skincare routine. I wanted to improve the overall texture of my skin so I chose Joy’s moisturizer in combination with the serum.
What was that like?
Initially, I applied Joy’s moisturizer once at night for a week, then twice a day after that. I noticed that it absorbed into my skin immediately, instead of just sitting on it. My skin felt softer after using it. The scent is strong for my taste, but I didn’t have any bad reactions. I missed the “glazed donut” feeling of my skin after the last application of the moisturizer, so I added Harmony’s serum. After using these two a few times, I also noticed that my skin was brighter and my pores were much smaller. I also like the mood-boosting scent. I like that I can keep one in my bag and apply it throughout the day.
Would you use this product again?
Joie’s moisturizer does exactly what it sounds like: it adds a glow to the skin. It also improved my skin’s texture, so that’s a plus. However, I’m not sure if I’ll try it again, as I’m not a huge fan of perfume-like scents.
Claire Valentine, Culture Editor
Describe your skin type.
I have super sensitive, dry skin, and I’ve also been genetically blessed with a tendency to show my emotions all over my face, meaning if I’m stressed, sad, or sleep-deprived, my skin quickly becomes puffy, wrinkled, and red (good things always go in threes, right?).
Was there a particular skin concern you were hoping to address with the Neuraé product line?
As always, dry, tired skin is my main concern, and as each cream claimed to address at least one aspect of these issues, I tried all three, but ended up sticking with the Sérénité Balm and Energie Cream the longest.
Describe your experience using the Neuraé line.
My daily skincare routine is simple. I usually layer on essence, serum, moisturizer (and sunscreen, of course) and call it a day. Adding Neuraé products gave me a luxurious boost and I was pleased that none of the products irritated my sensitive skin. The Sérénité Balm in particular was light and fluffy, and the Énergie Cream, layered with my moisturizer at night, had a soothing and firming effect. I kept Joie Emotion Boost in my bag and dabbed its bright citrus scent on my wrists whenever I remembered. It was a lovely way to welcome in May.
Was this line effective? Would you use it again?
When it comes to skincare, I rarely step out of my comfort zone (usually because it comes at the cost of rough skin), but the Neuraé line caused no such problems; instead, it added a soothing step to my routine. It remains to be seen if there are lasting results, but placebo effect or not, just the idea that my skincare was created with emotions in mind made me feel pampered. And that’s half the joy of a beauty routine.
