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FEATURE

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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