The new age limit for runway and beauty models: none. The new age at which one should start caring about wrinkles: 25 (though some term this as youth preservation). This new era of inclusivity also means that the rules of anti-ageing in skincare are being rewritten, so Sofia Kim’s here to make figuring out the latest launches easy: a list of the best, according to concerns.
This story first appeared in Female’s November 2018 issue.
It’s the first eye serum under the brand’s Prestige line that’s known to intensely recharge skin cells with phytonutrients drawn from the exotic Rose de Granville bloom. It’s also the first product in the range to contain extracts of the plant’s fruit (reportedly the most nourishing part) — meant to help sculpt the skin around the peepers and make it look more radiant. The head of the accompanying gold-coated applicator has 10 ceramic micro pearls, which translates to 10 mini massages that’ll help reduce puffiness.
It’s a supercharged version of the original bestseller designed to fight “inflammaging” — a key factor of skin ageing — brought about by exposure to the likes of pollution and UV rays. A new extraction process allows each bottle to contain 20 per cent more of the star ingredient crocin, a sugar derived from the pistil of saffron flowers that’s said to modulate such chronic inflammation. The addition of the plant’s crocetin molecules, which reportedly stimulate skin’s natural antioxidants and strengthen cells, means a double shot of protection — this time against free radical damage. Promising 24-hour hydration, it also boasts a sumptuous new scent with additional notes of amber to its original mix of pear, peppercorn, bergamot, rose and jasmine.
Its key ingredient, solidago extract, supposedly helps generate a protein that’s naturally found in epidermal cells and is vital for boosting vitality, density and collagen production. Along with the antioxidant-rich vanilla planifolia — fundamental to the entire Sublimage line — it works from the inside to keep skin firm and looking youthful. It has a corrective effect too, with hydrating hyaluronic acid and shea butter helping to reduce the appearance of lines.
A single pump dispenses a gel-like serum said to boast enough long and short chains of hyaluronic acid to mimic the same deep, moisturising and plumping effect as that of an injectable filler. Use nightly and it promises to soften the look of wrinkles. The dual chamber bottle also houses a creamy emulsion with an AHA complex (to exfoliate) and saponin (to stimulate cell renewal), so every pump will simultaneously help brighten skin.
Part of the formula features “Soft Peeling Technology” — essentially a blend of lactic, citric and glycolic acids that gently removes dead skin cells. What the other part supposedly does: stimulate the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, repair fragmented collagen, and strengthen the TIEG1 gene that helps maintain a healthy skin structure. All this is thanks to royal jelly and honey produced by black bees from the French island of Ouessant. The resulting combo is said to brighten, lift and redefine contours all at once. Its silky smooth texture and mild nectar scent make applying it one sensorial experience.
This update of the brand’s popular serum now boasts a component of niacin (aka vitamin B3), which is known to have multiple benefits on skin, including speeding up cell turnover. Coupled with an enzyme said to reduce oxidation, it supposedly promotes collagen production and epidermal cell growth to plump up obvious creases. The new addition of hydrolysed black bean extract is meant to encourage the production of cellular energy needed to improve overall skin health, as well as the body’s natural defence system (yes, including against the signs of ageing).
This luxe treatment goes a step further than most anti-ageing masks by working not only on the lines on the forehead and around the eyes, but also vertical ones, thanks to lipopeptides. The latter’s molecules are highly compatible with skin’s natural structure, thus optimising the stimulation of collagen and hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of such folds. Add tetrapeptide, which suppresses the production of excess interleukins that cause collagen and elastin to decline, and it’s even more powerful at firming. The 24K gold content is said to soothe, while probiotic ferment and microalgae help with luminosity. That it can be rinsed off, left on overnight, or blended with serums and oils makes it all the more worth it.
A complex made up of seven plant extracts said to restore tension in every layer of the skin + sweet marjoram extract to jolt the production of an enzyme that aids elastin function = what’s reportedly an immediate tightening and smoothing effect. It has moisturising, antioxidant oat seed extract, and the water-in-oil emulsion texture feels luxuriously comfy on skin.
This non-greasy, fast-absorbing serum is boosted with acmella oleracea extract, which relaxes facial muscles and reduces the tension caused by stress and fatigue, to lessen the appearance
of lines. The brand’s signature Immortelle essential oil — known for its powerful antioxidant properties — and rejuvenating marjoram extract complete this triple-threat formula that’s said to refresh skin and boost radiance.
Using a new microencapsulation process for the first time, the Korean beauty giant is able to deliver the moisturising and nourishing properties of ginseng seed oil straight to the dermal-epidermal junction to boost skin’s elasticity more effectively. The soft, creamy texture glides over skin sans sticky residue.
The brand’s packed this moisturiser with all the plumping and regenerating benefits of roses — and made sure that they’re at their optimal. The essential oil component, for example, was derived from a cold distillate of the centifolia rose and rosa damascena (the process calls for three to five tonnes of petals to create one drop, and preserves their reparative qualities). Meanwhile, a method known as Fermogenesis allows the cells of the Lancome rose – said to have revitalising and brightening qualities — to grow stress-free. Its blend of water-soluble rose molecules and fat-soluble rose extract, shea butter and various natural oils creates a creamy texture that thins out upon application before turning velvety rich again, so it’s perfect for massages.