Chanel’s Blue Serum defies the rules of anti-aging skincare with a formidable formula for holistic skin health, inspired by the world’s “blue zones” and the secrets of its healthy inhabitants
Talk to any beauty junkie and they’ll tell you this: In the world of skincare, nothing dominates like anti-aging products. Countless beauty brands promise to fight time’s ravaging effects; whether it’s wrinkles, sagging skin or pigmentation, we guarantee there’s a myriad of products which pledge to combat every aging skin concern known to mankind. But here’s the difference with Chanel’s Blue Serum; instead of fighting an endless battle for age reversal with a complex formula, it emphasises longevity and holistic skin wellness with a pared-down, yet potent potion. It’s an ingenious creation not entirely unexpected from the beauty arm of the French label – after all, Chanel has been making luxury skincare catering to the evolving needs of women everywhere for 90 years now.
In creating a formula to stimulate skin wellness, it made perfect sense for Chanel to look towards some of the world’s healthiest people: communities who live in the world’s “blue zones” – these are Nicoya in Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Greece and Japan’s Okinawa (dubbed the ‘Land of the Immortals’ in ancient Chinese legends) – for inspiration. Coined by demographers Michel Poulain and Dr. Gianni Pes, the concept of the “blue zone” came about when the duo zeroed in on longevity hotspots, drew concentric blue circles on a map, and named them as such.
Renowned for being centenarian hotspots, these regions are home to people who live healthier and longer (we’re talking over 100 years here) thanks to healthy diets, regular exercise and good stress management. Having uncovered the secrets to their long lives, Chanel worked these findings into its own studies on skin aging. The conclusion? Skin youthfulness hinges on four factors, which include good skin cell health and the ability to defend against environmental stressors.
Flouting the practices of standard anti-aging products, the Blue Serum’s formula is kept minimal to boost its efficacy. A magic trio of active ingredients sourced from the diets of the “blue zones” populations were chosen: Lentisk (also known as the mastic tree) from Greece, green coffee from Costa Rica and olives from Sardinia. To achieve only the purest of concentrates, meticulous extraction methods were used.
A closer look at these powerhouse ingredients
Rich in cafestol and kahweol molecules which contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, green coffee was chosen to keep skin young and healthy. Put through Chanel R&T’s exclusive process of polyfractioning, the green coffee PFA (PolyFractioning of Active Ingredients) extract produced boasts an extraordinary amount of longevity molecules unlike other coffee extracts – it’s five times more concentrated in kahweol and cafestol as compared to a simple coffee extract.
As for the olive tree oleoactive ingredient, Chanel Research put both the leaves and fruits of the olive tree through a unique extraction process to combine their powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Trust us, in the world of skincare, it’s a big deal as standard practices usually only involve the extraction of fruits for olive oil.
Let’s talk about the last powerful ingredient: Lentisk gum extract. Traditionally used as a spice, this age-old ingredient features a rich concentration of oleanolic acid which is famed for its ability to enhance skin regeneration. Through a meticulous cold extraction method, its active molecules are isolated very carefully to ensure maximum potency. These potent concentrates, combined with hydrating ingredients like glycerin derivatives and hyaluronic acid to preserve the skin barrier, visibly improve and protect skin’s overall texture.
It’s for everyone
Worried about whether the Blue Serum will suit your skin type? The great thing about this game-changing product is that it’s universal – it can be used for all skin types and ages, and is compatible with your existing skincare routine. Its formula is also a winner in our books: lightweight with an almost watery gel texture, it melts quickly into skin and spreads easily. To apply, massage on freshly cleansed skin every morning and evening using deep smoothing movements, then continue with your everyday skincare routine of layering with an additional serum or your usual moisturiser.
The Chanel Blue Serum ($160 for 30ml) is available at all Chanel beauty counters.