Beauty Highlights

Monday May 11, 2009

Masked in fruits

By Olivia Lee

Fruit extracts are commonly used in skincare and health industries because of its richness in vitamins and therapeutic properties.

Pomegranate,an effective lightening agent.

With this knowledge in mind, French brand Sothys has capitalised on the fruity goodness of grapefruit, papaya and lemon in some of their skincare products. Its latest offering is the Instant Lightening Treatment with pomegranate.

This is a concoction of pomegranate, passion fruit and other natural active ingredients which work together to bring about instant lightening and radiance. It also protects and preserves the skin's natural biological cycle and increases the skin's ability to adapt to environmental changes.

Sothy's president Frederic Mas said this treatment was developed with women from across the world in mind.

"We understand the demand for lightening treatments, particularly in Asia. So, we have integrated the lightening dimensions (into a hydrating treatment) to meet with Asian market demands. We want this to be a hit," said the 35-year-old who launched the treatment in Kuala Lumpur recently.

According to the press release, the facial is also rich in photoprotecting properties, minerals and nutrients to protect the skin from the harshness of the environment and the sun's aggressions.

Treat your skin to this exotic, tropical temptation and give it the booster it needs to be well restored and re-mineralised.

Le fruits

Pomegranate is the essence of this treatment and is used because of its richness in vitamins and therapeutic properties. Studies have shown that pomegranate has powerful anti-oxidant properties which stimulates healthy collagen and elastin production.

These properties are also needed to neutralise and protect skin cells against cellular damage caused by free radicals (known to damage important cellular components, which cause skin cells to degenerate, causing skin ageing and dullness).

The fruit's active properties also act as an effective lightening agent for the skin. It has the ability to target pigmented areas and stop the communication between cells that produce melanin.

Unlike other "whitening'' agents like ascorbic acids, pomegranate reduces the number of DOPA-positive melanocytes in the epidermis of UV-irradiated skin. It also has the ability to improve hydration levels, making it an ideal active ingredient for a perfect facial treatment.

Passion fruit, the other active ingredient, contains nutrients like vitamins A and C. The fruit has the ability to repair tissues and prevent various skin dysfunctions. High in fruit AHA, it is a good exfoliating agent for anyone looking for a smoother and lighter complexion.

These are some good reasons why these fruits have been incorporated into the treatment, Mas said.

"They're also very fragrant and the texture's fantastic," he offered.

"For this particular treatment, we want to focus on instant results in lightening and hydration. I think the special benefit on the side is the relaxation."

The treatment is, afterall, inspired by nature's bounty and the cocktail of natural active ingredients and arresting fragrances in a cocooning environment makes for a great pampering session.

Le treatment

Mas said that Sothys wanted to create a treatment that appeals to everyone.

"That's (also) why we use the fruits ... to give you the feeling of ‘ooh, I wanna taste that ... or smell that'. That sensorial treat helps in promoting the treatment and maybe it'll be an introduction to what Sothys has to offer."

The Instant Lightening Treatment is suitable for all skin types. And the key products used during the treatment are the passion fruit cocktail modelling cream, grenadine jelly and pomegranate peel-off mask.

The smooth beige-coloured modelling cream is made up of passion fruit, guava and mango fruit extracts. Also made with shea butter and filagrinol (pollen, wheat, soya and olive extracts), it increases the skin's hydration level.

Grenadine jelly is a gel-textured serum that is rich in extracts of pomegranate and has great astringent and anti-oxidising properties to balance the effects of free radicals. It also contains aloe vera extracts (rich in vitamins A, B and E) and pro-vitamin B5, which is a good source of hydration.

Finally, the peel-off mask. It is pink and sweet-scented, rich in anti-oxidising and softening properties, which fight free radicals and is great for stimulating tired and stressed skin.

All products are tried and tested personally by Mas during its research and development stages.

The self-declared "guinea pig'' said he is "quite participative in (coming up with product) ideas, its development and processes."

"I have them in my bathroom to try. I form my judgement on it after a few tries," explained Mas.

"The first impression is very important but I also feel you need to give yourself time to sense things you might not have sensed in the first instance.

"So take your time to really understand the product," he advised.

Le promotion

Experience this sensational treatment at a special introductory price of RM158 (normal price RM220) for your first session and receive a complimentary grenadine jelly worth RM85 (for about five days' use). Try it out at Sothy's 128 Faubourg salons located in Bangsar Village 2, 1 Utama and Pavilion KL.