Skin Rehab: La Prairie Cellular Power Infusion

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever had those days when the entire world seems to be conspiring against your skin? Case in point: Travelling from an extremely cold and dry city (Delhi) to a moderately hot and humid one (Mumbai) twice in five days, closing the magazine’s anniversary issue, attending two night-to-morning weddings, stressing about mom’s scarily high blood pressure, wrapping up the year’s production budgets, organising a vintage car rally with over 150 heirloom vehicles… throw in the inevitable junk food, lack of sleep, excessive caffeine, the city’s killer pollution and (sigh!) the fact that I am not exactly a teenager now and you can understand why the face that looks back at me in the mirror started being overrun by a pasty dullness, patches of dehydration, scattered zits and the beginning of fine lines. Even makeup wouldn’t help – I actually had to stop using foundation and powder as they would just start lflaking off most unattractively over the most dehydrated areas of my face.

Then a friend literally forced a vial of La Prairie’s “most brilliant scientific achievement to date” – the Cellular Power Infusion – into my hands (yes, I have superbly generous friends!). The brand’s claim? A threefold action that secures the cellular energy supply and protects it from the effects of external stress, supports the skin’s own renewal mechanisms and supplements its natural structural rebuilding.

Cynical as I am about brands that promise you the world in a bottle, I did not really expect a miracle – but since it was La Prairie, there was hope of at least some visible improvement. To begin with, its active ingredients are so pure and powerful that they must be freshly combined immediately before application. Hence, they are stored separately in an ingenious two-part glass bottle and the activation takes place right before your eyes as you turn the base of the bottle until the lilac-hued concentrate is injected into the clear serum. Once the two phases combine, the serum remains active for 7-10 days of use. The kit comes with four sleek vials, which last for 28-40 days, to coincide with the skin’s natural renewal cycle. 

La Prairie’s Cellular Power Infusion promises a threefold action that secures the cellular energy supply and protects it from the effects of external stress, supports the skin’s own renewal mechanisms and supplements its natural structural rebuilding

One vial lasted me through ten days of twice-daily application and just mid-way through the regime I saw my unhappy, comatose skin actually come back to life. By the third day itself, my face had lost it’s dull, sallow, lifeless appearance and seemed visibly smoother and more radiant – like I had been to a spa, had 12 hours of sleep and followed both these up with a daily brightening mask. The foundation and powder was going on smoothly, sans any signs of dryness. By the end of the week, I was actually relying less on makeup to give me that glow, which is really all kinds of wonderful. This was enough of a miracle to have me hunting down an ingredient list, which reads like a roll call of high-tech buzzwords:

Key Ingredients:

Swiss Snow Algae

  • Protects the skin’s cellular structure against free radical and environmental stress
  • Triggers natural longevity
  • Supports skin’s natural renewal system
  • Strengthens skin’s own antioxidant system

Tissue Guidance Matrix

  • Stimulates skin cell proliferation
  • Provides rebuilding factors for skin tissue
  • Stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid
  • Has soothing power and diminishes signs of stressed skin

Phyto Stem Cell Extract (from Swiss red grapes)

  • Protects epidermal stem cells from free radical stress
  • Helps to delay senescence (biological ageing) of essential skin cells

Skin Renewal Peptide

  • Helps to stimulate the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, fibronectin and laminin
  • Helps to maintain the natural epidermal stem cell function
  • Supports skin’s own renewal system
  • Stimulates skin cell proliferation

Exclusive Cellular Complex

  • Helps stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process, moisturizing and energizing with nutrients that encourage optimal functioning

Additional Ingredients:

Grape Seed Extract

  • Protects skin cells against oxidative stress
  • Fights free radicals
  • Prevents environmental damage
  • Soothes stressed skin and reduces redness
  • Fights glycation reaction, responsible for the aging of collagen

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract

  • Contributes to softening and detaching the dead skin layers
  • Gives the skin a more youthful appearance

Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract

  • Protects skin against pollutants
  • Helps to prevent skin cell damage
  • Protects against environmental stress factors

So, what does all this mean? Basically, at the heart of all skin cells are microscopic sub-units known as mitochondria. Mitochondria function like the espresso shots of the cell world, providing the fuel needed by the cells for functioning. They are also responsible for the formation and regeneration of skin cells, which is extremely important to fight the signs of ageing. As we grow older, cells become sluggish and mitochondrial activity starts slowing down. The Cellular Power Infusion stimulates the mitochondria, thereby “waking up” the cells and encouraging skin regeneration.

Its active ingredients are so pure and powerful that they must be freshly combined immediately before application

In short, this infusion can actually help reverse the signs of ageing and environmental stress by striking at every aspect of the skin’s makeup. Yes, it’s a tall claim, but despite being a cynic, I can’t really argue with the results in my mirror.

Which brings us to the next question – would I part with such a large part of my paycheque for a vial of fulfilled promises? Because, at almost 30,000-rupees (Euro 380 Euro/US$ 475) for a set of four vials, this is not exactly a cheap option. The answer, once again is yes – and the proof is sitting on my dressing table already. Let me bottom-line it: Sometimes, like for everything else in life, we really do have to shell out for an effective product. Personally, I would gladly trade all the times a 500-rupee “bargain” product has disappointed me for one serum that actually does what it says. Plus, you don’t have to use it every single day of your life – one cycle in 3-4 months is perfectly adequate. Needless to say, this one is definitely a skincare game changer.

By the third day itself, my face had lost it’s dull, sallow, lifeless appearance and seemed visibly smoother and more radiant – like I had been to a spa, had 12 hours of sleep and followed both these up with a daily brightening mask


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A Sea Change: La Prairie’s Advanced Marine Biology Collection

June 28, 2011 By 1 Comment

Imagine a cream that harnesses the inherent protective powers of our seas for both human and environmental benefits. Seems impossible? La Prairie blends this paradoxical equation into a new product that we can begin using in our 30s to counteract the earliest stages of aging skin. Its Advanced Marine Biology collection carries the brand’s iconic marine biotechnology research to another level, combining five deep sea elements in a protective, anti-oxidant treatment that soothes and nourishes the skin, boosts collagen, improves hydration, strengthens the cohesion between the dermis and epidermis, stimulates cell oxygenation and reduces redness.

And that’s not all. While protecting your skin against premature aging, La Prairie also helps conserve the ocean’s ecosystem. The fermented algae extracts that lie at the heart of these products are derived exclusively from plants grown by means of sustainable, land-based aquaculture without endangering the delicate balance of the sea. In addition, for each jar sold, La Prairie makes a contribution to the Ocean Futures Society, which undertakes a variety of projects to promote the awareness and preservation of our planet’s oceans. Impressive, wouldn’t you say?

Excerpted from Casaviva India, July 2011

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Gilding the Skin: La Prairie Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Truth be told, I am rather sceptical of the “If it costs more, it works better” mantra, especially where beauty products are concerned. Given my experience with the Olays’ and Eucerins’ of the world, I can safely vouch that sometimes department store budget buys can outperform the priciest luxury formulation by leaps and bounds.

However, ever so often there comes a product that makes you believe in the power of research dollars once more – and the La Prairie Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold is a case in point.

The concept is actually not “new” – the ancients considered gold a source of immortality. The Chinese believe gold possesses the power to heal. Modern medicine uses gold to treat a wide variety of conditions. In diverse civilizations, gold remains a symbol of wealth and luxury. Unfortunately though, till now, gold has remained on the fringes of the modern beauty revolution, with few companies knowing how to distill its fragile potency into a truly effective, off-the-shelf product.

That is set to change with the Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold – a ”super serum” that contains colloidal gold (a liquid suspension of pure gold0, which enables the minuscule flecks to dissolve onto the skin, imparting a healthy, youthful glow. Furthermore, the pure gold in the colloidal gel slows down the breakdown of collagen and elastin, thereby helping to maintain skin’s youthful elasticity and firmness. In addition, the formula employs advanced biotechnology to nourish and energize the skin. It also speeds exfoliation to re-surface and re-texturize the skin… in short, say goodbye to dullness, dryness, lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, freckles and age spots. That’s because, in addition to the pure gold colloid that lightly gilds the skin, Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold contains three other significant breakthroughs:

  • Hyaluronic Acid Microspheres fill in fine wrinkles and plump the skin within one hour of application, while providing long-term hydration.
  • A new-generation Anti-Wrinkle Neuro-Peptide reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by the contraction of facial expression muscles, especially in the forehead and eye area.
  • Emblica Fruit Extract is a key ingredient in a Mega Brightening and Lightening Complex, which regulates pigmentation and reduces age spots.

These act in tandem with two exclusive La Prairie complexes: Radiance Complex, whose quartz, liquid crystals and reflective pigments disperse the light to subtly illuminate and brighten the skin; and Exclusive Cellular Complex, which nourishes and moisturizes the skin, in addition to stimulating its natural renewal process.

Rounding out the uniquely effective formula are Rejuvenating Plant Extracts, including Soybean Sterols and Wild Yam Root Extract, which improve the skin’s vitality, elasticity and firmness and support it during periods of hormonal imbalance; Glycolic, Malic and Lactic Acids, in synergy with Sweet Almond Protein, which speed exfoliation without irritation; and a potent cocktail of powerful antioxidants, which protect the skin against damaging free radicals.

That, one must admit, is quite a bit to pack into one bottle – even at US$580 a pop!

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Potent Magic: La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Système

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

What if someone could wave a magic wand across your face and banish all dark spots and pigmentation patches, while firming up your skin, boosting hydration levels and taking care of wrinkles? Well, even though it comes in bottles and droppers, rather than the tip of an enchanted wand, La Prairie’s new White Caviar Illuminating Système is a potent alchemy of precious, multitasking ingredients that ushers in a new era of enlightenment in skincare.

At the heart of this complementary three-part system, which is comprised of a fast-penetrating cream and two highly concentrated serums, lies the brand’s most iconic hallmark – rare, royal caviar! This version was born in the Caspian Sea, a place of imperial pleasures in the glorious times of tsars and princes. It is spawned by a white sturgeon, so scarce and so desirable that it was once reserved only for royalty. Now, these golden pearls join space age bio-technology to create a trio of products that is like a feast for your skin:

White Caviar Illuminating Serum: Diolic Acid, Vitamin C and Oligopeptide-34 target the full range of pigmentation problems, including age spots, melasma and dark patches. It also prevents the further development of age spots and discoloration by decreasing melanin production and lowering the transfer of melanin to the skin cells. Besides this, an anti-wrinkle peptide reduces the appearance of wrinkles caused by facial expressions; Resveratrol protects the skin against stress; and anti-oxidants nullify the effects of environmental damage and premature ageing. In the meantime, pearlescent pigments and liquid crystals give the skin a lit-from-within quality – almost like walking around with your own spotlight! Rs. 25,525 / US$450 for 30 ml

White Caviar Illuminating Cream: Going to the core of discoloration and age spots, it treats both the source of the problem and alleviates its signs. It also carries a hefty punch of Resveratrol, peptides and anti-oxidants along with a host of other space age ingredients that help maintain youthful firmness. And the effects are almost instantaneous – thanks to the water-in-oil powder emulsion. This is a unique texture, where the active ingredients are suspended in water, to be released when the cream is applied, together with emollients that protect and hydrate the skin. It also has an immediate beautifying effect, producing a thin layer of powder that gives a smooth, even appearance to your complexion. Rs. 25,525 / US$450 for 50 ml

White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum: This calls on advanced technologies and active ingredients to zero in on dark circles, which are caused by a combination of excess pigmentation and deficient circulation. Here’s how it works: La Prairie’s Clarifying Whitening Complex and detoxifying Swiss Garden Cress Sprout Extract, together with Tragranate Licorice Extract, reduce excess under-eye pigmentation, stimulate circulation, and help prevent brown spots from forming. Golden Caviar Extracts and Anti-Wrinkle Peptides firm and nourish the skin. An eye zone-specific Crow’s Feet Plumper targets the radiating lines that form in the outer corner of the eyes by reducing the wrinkle network and increasing skin density and caffeine helps reduce the feeling of puffiness. Rs. 14,125 / US$250 for 15 ml

My favourite part besides the radiance and banishment of dark spots? The charming packaging – a medley of frosted white bottles trimmed with silver pearls, which make them resemble pieces of jewellery. Magical, indeed!

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