Thursday October 4, 2012
Targeted care
By CHERYL POO
star2@thestar.com.my
Skincare should be customised specifically to suit the individual’s needs, claims a French skincare brand.
THE average woman’s understanding of skincare and her own skin is likely to be flawed − that was the message conveyed at the launch of French beauty brand Biologique Recherche Paris in Kuala Lumpur recently.
“Everyone’s skin evolves throughout the day,” said Dr Philippe Allouche, head of R & D at Biologique. “Using the wrong products can lead to new skin imbalances or reactivate old ones.”
‘Everyone’s skin evolves throughout the day,’ says Dr Philippe Allouche. Dr Allouche is a clinical doctor who left his profession to join his father, Yvan, a biologist who founded the skincare brand, and mother, Josette, a physiotherapist, in the family business 35 years ago.
The company started as a research and development laboratory with an aim to develop formulations for skincare professionals who were dissatisfied with their products.
The brand today carries more than 100 products but as it is new to Malaysia, only 66 facial, 20 body and six hair care items are currently available here.
One doesn’t need so many products, of course, since a customised treatment and beauty set will be formulated for her during her facial treatment at the authorised Biologique Recherche outlet.
The products might cause you to think twice about your beauty regimen.
Biologique Recherche Paris products are specifically customised for clients to meet the individual’s needs. For starters, there are five milk cleansers; one for soothing and rebalancing the epidermis; for removing impurities; for unifying skin that’s been exposed to harsh weather conditions; to moisturise; and finally, to remove eye make-up.
Then, there are several exfoliators, over a dozen masks, and rows and rows of lotions, creams, serums for targeted treatments; followed by a wide assortment of body care for the skin as well as shaping and toning products.
“There are many products out there touted for oily skin, dry skin, you name it. That’s too general. How can skincare that has been manufactured for the masses suit each individual’s skin?” he asked. “What you need is a set that is specially formulated for you, and our professionals are trained to analyse all of these variables.”
The skincare expert said that the notion of a facial “steam bath”, as is normally done to prep the skin before an extraction, is as unnecessary as the extraction itself.
“Why would you need that? Are you a lobster?” he exclaimed. “Steaming is a very old concept that doesn’t work. You are trying to achieve refined pores and then you open them up. Women here are congesting their pores further by applying make-up over them.”
He said that Biologique’s products do not contain artificial fragrances and contain over 20% botanical, marine and biological extracts. The brand respect the original structure of the active ingredients and therefore, formulates the products cold.
“For effective results, you need to change your skincare (products) every three months. Our therapists will formulate the set for you to suit your skin in that season. Your skin needs to be surprised,” he concludes.
Biologique Recherche Paris’ flagship beauty institute, The Ambassade de la Beaute, is located in France and its products are available in more than 45 countries around the world.
> Available at authorised Biologique Recherche Paris’ outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and East Malaysia. Price for facial treatments and products start from RM110.
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