Last week I mentioned this, a vibrant new brand that is promising to have us all kiss goodbye to anti-wrinkle injections.  So what is it about this nature-inspired brand that get’s our wrinkles relaxing? 

The key active is based on a tiny chemical extracted from the  Okra plant. 

Okra based anti-ageing

 In the cosmetics backstage world there are a number of manufacturers of high-tech actives that are worth watching, this active comes from Laboratories Serobiologiques who are part of the global Cognis company – experts in ‘care chemicals’.  This active has some solid scientific data behind it including some convincing in-vivo studies. 

Okra or Abelmoschus esculentus is a member of the mallow family and is eaten as a stew (gumbo) in the Caribbean.  It is a hardy plant that can withstand drought and poor soil conditions making it a staple foodstuff in many countries.  Because of this its chemistry has been widely studied. This report by the Department of Food Science and Engineering , Nigeria and the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Port Elizabeth, South Australia  investigated the antioxidant potential of the seeds and found them to contain oligomeric catechins and flavonol derivatives which  have proven anti-inflammatory properties. Very useful in an anti-ageing formulation! 

The extract used in this formulation works because the oligopeptides are small enough and chemically similar enough to pass through the extracellular matrix of the skin.  Once under our skin these oligopeptides have been found to block muscle contraction signals thus preventing the ‘frown’.   In addition to that, the antioxidant portion of this extract helps to mop up any free-radicals that are present due to the usual wear and tear on the skin as it ages.  A powerful combination. 

La Purete. Natures Botox?

But none of this would be any good without a great delivery system and this product certainly ticks that box. The odour-free revitalising eye cream contains a mixture of skin compatible vegetable oils which have been emulsified using analogues of human skin lipids (potassium cetyl phosphate). This base is then made cosmetically acceptable by the nature-inspired emollient Dicaprylyl Carbonate (an ingredient that is often used in place of silicones as it spreads well leaving a dry and silky skin-feel).  

I am trying this out on my mammoth wrinkles as from today and will let you know how I go.  In addition to my test this product has stirred a fair amount of interest among both academics and the media – could this be the next big cosmetic shelf block-buster? 

My wrinkly forehead BEFORE the treatment

All I’m saying is BUY, BUY, BUY.  You can contact LaPurete for information about their distributors. .