{Collagen}
Okay, so you may question whether collagen is ‘cutting-edge’ – it’s been around (in some form or other) for aaaaages – but the latest advances in topical collagen are certainly not to be sniffed at. “Indispensable for the beauty and health of the skin, collagen is also the most ‘at-risk’ protein” says QMS Medicosmetics’ founder Dr. Erich Schulte, plastic surgeon and chief product developer. “The ravages of time and personal stresses are particularly damaging, which is why the most effective skin care treatments must maintain and enhance existing collagen levels – or in other words, delay degeneration and promote regeneration.”
As we mentioned, there are loads of products on the market which contain collagen however, because the molecules are naturally bulky, many stumble at the first hurdle: “Although too large to penetrate the epidermal layer, treatment with these creams and lotions is not a total waste of time” says Dr. Schulte, “by ‘sitting on’ the outer layer of skin, they can still be beneficial from a ‘moisture catching’ point of view”. However, for effective (and permanent) skin rejuvenation, the collagen must be delivered to skin’s lower levels. QMS Medicosmetics’ {Day} and {Night Collagen} star highly concentrated, naturally soluble collagen in serum form – readily absorbed to address collagen depletion and help to fortify skin’s framework.
{Probiotics}
We recently wrote at length about the benefits of probiotics (read all about ’em right {here}) but in brief, these ‘good bacteria’ can work wonders for all manner of common complexion complaints (acne, eczema and rosacea, to name a few), by supporting skin’s natural flora and fauna. The opposite of an antibiotic – developed to kill ‘bad bacteria’ – these ‘pro’ cousins encourage skin-beneficial bacteria to thrive; bolstering skin’s natural, protective barrier to reduce reactivity, enhance resilience and counteract inflammation – one of the primary causes of skin ageing.
{Aurelia Probiotic Skincare} utilises probiotics’ bacteria-balancing properties to moderate skin’s immune system – training skin cells to become less readily upset and in turn, control inflammatory responses (inflammation is skin’s natural defence mechanism – but can cause harm if left ‘unchecked’). By calming skin’s over-protective tendencies, probiotics help to support skin’s repair and renewal processes; firming, plumping, clarifying, brightening and soothing skin in one fell swoop.
{Snail secretion filtrate}
First recognised by Chilean snail farmers, ‘snail slime’ has powerful skin-healing properties – repairing damaged tissue with next-to-no scarring, thanks to a potent cocktail of natural hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and proteins. Always at the forefront of beauty innovation – and not ones to be squeamish when it comes to questionable skin care ingredients – South Korea embraced the snail’s phenomenal regenerative properties; harvesting the secretion (snails slither across glass plates all day), and dehydrating the ‘slime’ into a powder.
The cornerstone of Mizon’s ‘snail’ franchise, the brand’s ‘anti-wrinkle’ formulations are incredible. Laughably affordable, they star unprecedented levels of snail filtrate, to support and stimulate skin’s rehabilitative processes; promoting collagen synthesis to fortify skin’s fabric, whilst attracting and retaining moisture to counteract dehydration and restore skin’s youthful plumpness. {Snail Cushion Foam Cleanser} ‘sticks’ to dirt and impurities, to leave skin spotlessly clean and conditioned, while {Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack} is an intensive, overnight treatment mask – an innovative, South Korean export that envelopes your face with a protective ‘film’, beneath which the ingredients can work their cell-rejuvenating magic.