In the age of social media where we are constantly bombarded by images and videos of celebrities who have somehow aged in reverse, thanks to advancement in cosmetic and surgical procedures, and where emphasis on youthful, flawless looking skin is being heralded as the supreme standard of beauty, what is one to do if needles or going under the scalpel are not an option?
At the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York and just above the treetops of Central Park is the La Prairie Spa. With its wood paneled walls, neutral interiors and hushed, soothing vibes, it is here where Manhattan’s well-heeled come to rejuvenate and indulge in massage and facial sessions.
La Prairie of course is arguably the most luxurious and innovative skin care line, iconic for its Skin Caviar collection. At the La Prairie Spa, the most sought after treatment is the Caviar Firming Facial which combines cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating techniques to promote a radiant and refreshed skin. “Anti- aging is by far the number one skin concern whether the guest is 25 and focusing on prevention, or 65 and trying to slow down the process, while seeing their skin changing. This is why La Prairie is such a perfect fit, as the brand’s philosophy has historically been linked to the science of anti-aging, using cellular therapy,” relates Mary Derolph one of the estheticians at the Spa.
Scientific research and innovation are two of the core values of the Swiss brand with their products taking multiple years to develop. Its latest is the Pure Gold Collection which aims to address not only the usual concerns that comes with aging but also those skin issues that are a result of hormonal imbalance. The Pure Gold Line features a Revitalising Essence, Radiance Concentrate, Eye Cream, Cream and Nocturnal Balm.
“The decline in estrogen that affects women at various stages of their lives leads to many different negative consequences, particularly during menopause. At the level of the skin, loss of collagen is among the most recognized issues. However, other changes, such as thinner skin, decreased hydration and impaired barrier function, lead to discomfort, which can be severe and affect the mood. This is why we developed a revitalizing essence with soothing and comforting benefits as the first step of our Pure Gold Collection,” shares Dr. Jacqueline Hill, director of Strategic Innovation and Science at La Prairie.
Below, Dr. Hill explains the idea behind the La Prarie Gold collection and the most skin concerns she’s frequently asked.
How long did it take to develop the Pure Gold line?
We started ideating on the reimagination of the Pure Gold collection in mid-2021.
What were the most challenging aspects of creating this line?
One of the big questions was whether we would broach the subject of hormonal slowdown face on. This aspect has engendered tremendous debate during the conceptual phase and the development phase. Another challenge was developing a refillable pack for the creams and concentrate that reflected La Prairie’s values regarding sustainability while remaining luxurious and objects of desire. Lastly, blending rich sensorial textures which bring emotion with the highest performance is always a challenge for our formulators, and the results of the efficacy tests and the sensory assessments showed that we have successfully met this challenge.
What innovations and ingredients are unique to Pure Gold? And how are they beneficial to the skin?
The Advanced Pure Gold Diffusion System, present in all the reimagined Pure Gold products is unique to the collection. It includes our Exclusive Cellular Complex, to invigorate epidermal renewal and support collagen production, as well as a Gold and Peptide Powered Meno Complex to help counteract skin changes associated with hormonal imbalances, improving skin’s density and hydration and bringing instant radiance and Time-Released Glabridin structured for slow diffusion, targeting key sources contributing to visible skin aging at an inflammation level while reinforcing long-term skin health.
How should one integrate Pure Gold into their routine, especially those who are already using other La Prairie products like the Skin Caviar?
The Pure Gold Revitalizing Essence is the first step of the treatment ritual. It should be used after cleansing and toning the skin. Pour a small amount of Revitalizing Essence into the palm of your hand. Gently smooth over face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Continue with a gentle patting motion, until product is completely absorbed. Follow with the eye cream, serum and cream of your choice. Complete the day ritual with Cellular UV Protection Veil to protect the skin from damaging UV rays. The Revitalizing Essence was designed so that it can be used with products of other La Prairie collections as well as products of the Pure Gold collection.
What are the most common skin concerns you hear from customers?
Extreme dryness, discomfort, matter loss, loss of density and dullness are the main skin concerns we hear from our customers.