Ren Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum - The Primer That's Good For Your Skin

There are some brands with which we're only semi-familiar. They seem to pop up on your radar time and time again, you hear lots of good things about them, but you haven't necessarily tried many of their products yourself. Ren is one such brand for me, so I was very happy to get the opportunity to explore it a little further recently when I was sent their new Perfect Canvas* Skin Finishing Serum to test. Designed to be applied after moisturiser and before makeup, it contains ingredients that protect and hydrate as well as creating a smooth base onto which foundation can be applied more easily. Essentially, it's a primer that's good for your skin.

First up, the packaging. I love the minimal white and black aesthetic and the handy pipette applicator. The 30ml bottle is quite weighty, which I guess you would expect when paying £50 - weighty packaging always gives a feeling of luxury. It isn't necessarily the most practical for traveling, but on the other hand, it's precisely the sort of product I'd forgo as a non-essential when jetting off somewhere for a couple of weeks, so that doesn't really bother me too much.

According to Ren, the serum is lightweight, silicone free, and packed with probiotics to smooth the skin and enhance its structure by encouraging surface cell renewal. It also contains agave extract, which lends the complexion a matte finish onto which makeup should glide more easily, hyluronans to increase hydration and elasticity and a-Glucans to promote the growth of skin friendly bacteria and optimise skin health. You can add a couple of drops to your moisturiser or apply it separately afterwards.

I really like the texture of this product. It feels a lot more like a serum than a primer to me and it absorbs very easily into my skin. It's pleasant to apply and my complexion definitely feels smoother afterwards. I haven't noticed any marked improvement in the way my makeup goes on when I'm wearing this as opposed to when I'm not, but I have noticed a big improvement in how long it lasts, especially when I'm wearing lighter foundations. Longevity is always something I want more of from my makeup so this alone is enough for Perfect Canvas to be a hit with me. Add to that the fact that it has obvious skincare benefits, refines my skin and doesn't irritate or clog it up, and we have a new favourite on our hands. It might be a little on the pricey side, but on the other hand, it's a serum and a primer in one, so you're getting plenty of value for money.

What's your favourite primer?

Kate x

*Gifted item. Some links may be affiliate links. All opinions, as always, are my own.