sLUXURYLONDON.CO.UK s CANARY WHARF | 49
FEATURE
AB G
Aof BEAUTY
The
Zto From mimicking a bee sting and applying gold, to swallowing supplements, arm yourself with this comprehensive list of the most effective, and unusual, beauty ingredients on the market today
WORDS: MELISSA EMERSON
BEE VENOMLondon-based skincare brand skinChemists
has expanded its popular bee venom range to
advance the use of the key ingredient and
bring visible results faster. Offered in the
highest concentration that is safe for use on
the market, the bee venom tricks the skin
into thinking it’s been stung, boosting both
blood circulation to the affected area and the
production of collagen and elastin. Increased
production of these proteins is particularly
effective in wrinkle-prone areas. Best used
twice a day, the added cocoa and shea butters
in this moistuiser also ensure skin is kept
well-hydrated and glowing.
ADVANCED Bee Venom Duo Moisturiser,
£230, skinChemists, skinchemists.com
A.H.E COMPLEXDelarom has named the Aqualixir’s new
combination of ingredients the A.H.E
complex. The serum combines a blend of
essential oils – including cardamom and
sandalwood – with high-tech developments
in skin science. A highly developed form of
hyaluronic acid, with much smaller particles
than is standard, allows deeper penetration
through the skin’s layers to stimulate the
production of collagen and elastin – crucial
to prevent sagging skin – while essential oils
moisturise and oxygenate on the surface.
Aqualixir, £60, Delarom, urbanretreat.co.uk
COPPERStudies have suggested higher levels of particular
copper compounds are present in younger skin than
more aged skin, indicating its role in maintaining skin’s
suppleness. Believed to be crucial in the collagen
production process in particular, Själ’s skin mask utilises
these properties in the form of a blue copper peptide,
which is safe to apply directly to skin.
Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask, £100, Själ,
Space.NK, Cabot Place
DRAGON’S BLOODSu-Man Hsu’s skincare range combines
ancient natural antidotes with modern
research and technology, and this velvety
soft cream utilises one of the range’s prime
ingredients – Dragon’s Blood extract.
Drawn from the sap of the Croton
Lechleri tree, the resin is native to the
Amazon rainforest and has long been
renowned by indigenous peoples for its
healing and restorative properties.
Velvet Skin Moisturising Cream, £95,
Su-Man, net-a-porter.com
FLORAL EXTRACTSRepresenting royalty, wealth and immortality, Splendia, Irina and
Desiria are a trio of new fragrances by Bulgari. Inspired by China’s
ancient fascination with jade, the fragrances are also connected by
the use of magnolia essence and each has its own floral note
– narcissus absolute, jasmine petals and rose petals – extracts that
retain the scent of nature when used in beauty products.
La Gemme Imperiali Parfums, £235 each, Bulgari, exclusive to
Harrods from 31 January, harrods.com
FGOLDThis shiny new Ila range utilises a range of natural
gold minerals to combat ageing. As well as the
hydrating face cream, and a serum which
counteracts inflammation and promotes an even
skin tone and toxin-removing cleanser, the Sonic
Wave Therapy tool can be used at home to increase
the level of product penetration into the skin.
Gold Cellular Age-Restore collection, from £40,
Ila, harrods.com
DC
“Bee venom tricks the skin into thinking
it has been stung, boosting... blood
circulation”
EELDERBERRYThe elderberry oil in Elemis’ award-winning
cleansing balm promotes skin’s health by feeding it
with essential micronutrients. The balm – ideally
used daily – removes make-up and any surface
grime to clear the way for the elderberry oil’s
combination of essential fatty acids and naturally
occurring antioxidants to nourish and smooth skin.
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £39.50, Elemis,
elemis.com
sLUXURYLONDON.CO.UK s CANARY WHARF | 51
FEATURE
HHYDRATENDER COMPLEXForming part of Chanel’s new L.A Sunrise
2016 collection, these Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks
have a tried and tested formulation to allow colour
to melt into lips, and stay put. The hydratender complex
ensures immediate hydration, which lasts up to eight hours,
so there’s no need to worry about dry, cracked colour.
Rouge Coco Shine, £25 each, Chanel, chanel.com
IRISKiehl’s utilises Iris Florentina Root
extract in this ‘first step’ skin treatment,
which targets the early warning signs of
ageing. Best used on young skin to feel
the full effect, its nourishing properties
help firm up skin and stave off the
appearance of fine lines and dullness,
while acting to keep the surface soft.
Iris Extract Activating Essence
Treatment, £36, Kiehl’s, Jubilee Place
KOMBUCHACellcosmet varies the concentration of
ingredients in different products to target skin
at different physiological stages. Kombucha
mushroom activates microcirculation in the
skin and its anti-glycation properties work
against the damage done to protein structures
in the skin by sugar molecules.
Precious Mask, £158, Cellcosmet,
cellcosmet.co.uk
JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOMThe Sakura collection from Rituals marks the
Japanese tradition of celebrating the annual
flowering of the cherry blossom – an event to
highlight the seasonal re-awakening of nature
and appreciation of its bounty.
Sakura sugar body scrub, £19.50,
Rituals, Jubilee Place
PANTHENOLEven in the winter months, UV
rays damage cells and accelerate
the ageing process in skin, so SPF
coverage is crucial. The panthenol
in this SPF-enhanced moisturising
cream hydrates skin and improves
its suppleness, while soothing any
itches or inflammations caused by the
sun and speeding up the healing
process for already-damaged skin.
NB Ceutical SPF 50 Extra Smooth
High Protection cream, £59,
Natura Bissé, available at UK spas
MNIACINAMIDEEffective in correcting early indications of photoaging – prematurely
aged skin caused by over-exposure to UV light – such as dehydration
and loss of elasticity, the five per cent concentration of niacinamide in
this new product increases the turnover of cell production thanks to
an advanced delivery system, which allows it to better penetrate skin.
Metacell Renewal, £96, SkinCeuticals, skinceuticals.co.uk
LACTIC ACIDThis re-formulated bestseller from 001 has
a gel texture that foams gently to exfoliate
and cleanse skin. Lactic acid acts to slough
off dead skin cells, giving healthy skin cells
a chance to push through. This helps to
immediately improve the texture of skin
and reduces age-related spots, while also
promoting collagen production in the
layers below the surface.
Exfoliating and Conditioning Cleanser,
£35, 001, 001skincare.com
K
MSMMSM is the cornerstone of Oskia’s nutritional
skincare products. Founder Georgie Cleeve discovered
that the supplement – although originally taken by
race horses for knee damage – remarkably repaired
her own cartilage damage when she tried it, as well as
improving her skin, hair and nails dramatically.
Pure MSM Beauty Supplement, £29.50, Oskia,
Space.NK, Cabot Place
OUDOud, or agar wood, is a
powerful perfume ingredient
and after a year in the
making, Vilhelm Parfumerie
has reduced the harshness of
the wood by balancing it
with top notes of wild honey
and ginger butter.
The Oud Affair eau de
parfum, £145, Vilhelm
Parfumerie, liberty.co.uk
FEATURE
P
QUINCEPart of the same family as apples and pears, quince is perhaps better
known for its taste than the antioxidants it contains and their
subsequent skin toning and firming properties. These qualities make
it perfect for more mature skin, particularly on the neck and
décolletage areas, and Liz Earle’s serum with quince seed extract is
lightweight to apply but robust in its plumping action.
Superskin™ Bust & Neck Treatment, £33, Liz Earle, uk.lizearle.com
IJ
Q
N
sLUXURYLONDON.CO.UK s CANARY WHARF | 53
FEATURE
R WT
TONKA BEANThe dark and wrinkled tonka bean may not look like
much but is used across the beauty industry to scent
everything from soap to fragrances. Popular with
Penhaligon’s, the base note of tonka bean in its
Lavandula eau de parfum melts into skin to give
a surprisingly seductive aroma. With a similar
aroma, tonka beans are often a vanilla substitute.
Lavandula eau de parfum 100ml, £108,
Penhaligon’s, Cabot Place
RETINOLMedik8 offers different strengths of retinol and as a
powerful ingredient it should be introduced slowly
into any beauty regime. Acting at night – an optimal
time for skin repair – and supported by Vitamin E,
the serum is absorbed to promote growth of new cells
and maintain the levels of elastin in current ones.
Retinol 6 TR night serum, £37, Medik8,
askinology.com
SEA FENNEL EXTRACT The formula of the iconic Rouge Dior lipsticks
contains sea fennel extract. In new shades for the
garden-inspired Dior Spring Look 2016 collection,
the sea fennel – in conjunction with hyaluronic acid
spheres – stimulates cells to plump up lips, allowing
you to best show off the rich colours.
Rouge Dior lipsticks, £26.50 each, Dior, dior.com
UNITAMURONThe Resilient Hyaluronic
Acid range from Teoxane,
when applied, creates a
mesh-like layer of the
product on skin for slow and
even absorption of the active
ingredients, namely
Unitamuron H22 – tamarind
seed extract with powerful
hydrating properties.
RHA™ Serum,
£79, Teoxane,
uk.teoxane-beauty.com
VANILLAA recovery treatment rather than
a preventative measure, Chanel’s
Sublimage L’Extrait unusually
uses both the flower and the fruit
of the Madagascan vanilla plant.
An infusion of the flowers acts as
a protective shield for the complexion while
beneath, stem cells from the leaves activate the
skin repair process and increase circulation to
restore a healthy glow.
Sublimage L’Extrait, £370, Chanel, chanel.com
WILD PHYTOPLANKTONFountain specialises in concentrated beauty
supplements, targeting different areas with
different ingredients. This edition, containing
marine wild phytoplankton, has over 65
well-proportioned nutrients and enzymes which
are perfectly poised to work with the body in
regenerating skin cells, thereby keeping ageing at
bay for a little longer.
The Phyto-Collagen Molecule, £40, Fountain,
fountain.co
(PRO)-XYLANEVichy’s Neovadiol range targets loss
of skin density and definition often
found during the menopause.
Pro-xylane™, derived from the sugar
xylose has a stimulating effect on
molecules in the outer epidermis and
deeper dermis, the increased density
of which delays wrinkling.
Neovadiol Compensating
Complex, £26.50, Vichy,
Boots, Canada Place
ZINCThe secret weapon of the Nailpure range from Nails Inc. is
its patented Regenerating Complex. A blend of ingredients
including zinc boost the production of keratin – an
essential element in the health of nails and also hair –
while the permeable nature of the gloss ensures nails can
still be oxygenated, to boost strength and growth.
Nailpure in Tate, £14, Nails Inc., Cabot Place
S
V
YUZU EXTRACTDesigned precisely with the sometimes
neglected lip zone in mind, this
treatment uses yuzu extract – a natural
brightener to even out colour tone and
boost microcirculation – for fuller lips.
Cellular Performance Total Lip
Treatment, £74, Sensai, harrods.com
X
Z
Y