In times of recession most of us are tightening our belts and foregoing our little luxuries but apparently not our skincare products. It appears during economic downturns, sales of high end skin care products, in particular anti-aging creams, actually increase! Which is good news for Japanese cosmetic company Shiseido who have just launched their most expensive and innovative line to date.
The uber luxurious Future Solution LX range is packed full of exotic Asian plant extracts such as Uji green tea, star fruit, okra, angelica root and the star ingredient called Skingenecell IP.
Researched by Shiseido over seven years, skingenecell IP purports to significantly suppresses the skin’s production of the protein serpin B3, a by product of UV exposure which can cause dryness and lack of smoothness, however, apparently when skingenecell IP is present, the level of serpin 3 barely increases even after UV exposure thus making skin more resistant to the signs of aging.
Obviously all that research doesn’t come cheap so hi-tech creams inevitably come at a price, but unlike budget buys everything from the smell to the texture to the packaging in this range oozes luxury.
There are four products in the line each as fabulous as the next, firstly the cleansing foam, which is the only product in the range that doesn’t contain skingenecell IP, but apparently prepares the skin to enhance the benefits of the star ingredient. You simply squeeze a very small amount into your palm and work up a lather using lukewarm water.
Almost velvety in texture it just melts into the skin leaving it clean and soft and not tight and dry like some cleansers. It also has the most amazing scent which makes it a real joy to use.
Next you apply the balancing softener in place of toner which is supposed to infuse moisture into the skin while gently exfoliating. It apparently refines the skin texture and minimises the appearance of pores. The lotion is absorbed quickly into the skin and leaves the face feeling smooth and supple. It says you can saturate a cotton pad to apply but I found one pump was sufficient to cover my entire face.
The final step is to apply either the protective day cream or the regenerating night cream - the day cream not only protects the skin from UV rays but hydrates the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and sagging.
It has a wonderful rich texture and colour and is easily absorbed without being greasy. Similarly the high performance night cream revitalises and restores the skin during sleep without the stickiness that some night creams offer.
Now being blessed with a youthful complexion I can't say I noticed any wrinkles retracting but having used the creams exclusively for three weeks I have seen a dramatic improvement in the tone and texture of my face. The skin feels firmer and super soft and the tone more even.
In keeping with Shiseido's Japanese heritage the creams are beautifully housed in what resemble pearlised rice bowls complete with a little scoop to help you measure how much cream to use, trust me these will look gorgeous on your dresser! The line is delicately scented with notes of cherry blossoms, plum flowers and the Hamanasu rose.
While the hefty price tag may put this product beyond the masses, if you are one of the many thousands of women who spend a fortune every year looking for the newest skincare innovation then this may well be the pot of gold you've been looking for.
The Shiseido Future Solution LX skincare range is now available in Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Clerys from 21st September.
Extra Rich Cleansing Foam €60
Concentrated Balancing Softener €90
Daytime Protective Cream €250
Regenerating Night Cream €270
