LVMH-owned beauty and fragrance house Guerlain has revealed the fifth-generation expression of its super-premium Orchidée Impériale beauty cream. It will be launched in selected stores in global travel retail from January 2022.
The new, 96% natural-origin formula combines maximum regeneration, naturalness and sensoriality to reduce visible signs of skin ageing for longer. Infused with high regeneration ‘Orchid Totum’ technology, a molecular extract from the roots of two new orchids, the refreshed formula activates and extends skin cell longevity.
The two orchids, Gastrodia Elata and Dendrobium Fimbriatum, were chosen from 30,000 orchid species for their superior regenerative qualities.
Guerlain Director of Scientific Communication Frédéric Bonté commented, “Orchid roots are extremely specialised organs capable of producing numerous molecules involved in the plant’s defense. These various molecules are able to balance themselves out and are of great interest in treating biological disorders.”
The cream has been formulated with maximum sensoriality using Guerlain’s ‘Imperial Triad’ method which promises fineness, fullness and fusion. Instrumental tests using ultrasounds revealed that the skin looks three years younger after using the new Orchidée Impériale for seven days. The ultrasound tests assess the equivalent age of the skin by comparing skin densities from a group of 6,000 skin ultrasounds taken from women aged between 18 and 72.
Dermatologists observed that after one month of twice daily use, the new Orchidée Impérial improves skin density by +31%, reduces wrinkles by -22% and boosts plumpness by +31%.
The fifth-generation cream is packaged in a striking eco-friendly gold jar and case. The jar is made with brushed aluminium lid and matte black glass.
To minimise the cream’s carbon footprint in line with Guerlain’s sustainability goals, the cardboard box volume has been reduced by -20%, the glass jar is made from 40% recycled glass and the case is made with 91% recycled plastic.
As an added element of sustainability, Guerlain has also made the luxury cream available in a refill format. The refill is made from 40% recycled glass and 100% recycled plastic, with its weight and volume reduced by -45% and -50% respectively.
According to Guerlain, choosing an Orchidée Impériale refill over the non-refill product will minimise a consumer’s carbon footprint by -30%.
The Orchidée Impériale line is completed by the Micro-Lift Concentrate and The Eye & Lip Contour Cream.
A commitment to orchid conservation
The Guerlain Orchidarium is one of the world’s leading specialists in orchids. Led by Bonté, the Orchidarium groups together three complementary centres to study the many benefits of orchids on skin health.
For over ten years, Guerlain has committed to protecting orchids in their natural habitat in the Tianzi Natural Reserve in Southern Yunnan, China.
The beauty company has sponsored reforestation projects based on the Jungle farming method, which protects the biodiversity of the habitat from top soil to canopies. This initiative has enabled more than 10,000 orchids to be reintroduced in the Tianzi Natural Reserve.
