English text translated by Irene Luo
Chinese text by Christina Wang
Pictures Courtesy of La Prairie
To stay young forever—it’s a dream that has enchanted humankind since ancient times. In Switzerland, this developed into a yearning for rejuvenation and a return to youth. Like a modern-day fairy tale, the Swiss-based skin care brand La Prairie is especially formulated to combat aging. Its miraculous powers first spread by word of mouth among an illustrious set of women (and men) in society’s upper echelons. Now in the world of skin care, no brand is as legendary as La Prairie.
In a recent exclusive interview with François Le Gloan, La Prairie’s president of the Americas and Oceania, we asked him to tell us more about the miracle formulas that make La Prairie’s products so effective.
La Prairie’s lofty position in the skin care world originates with cellular therapy—a cornerstone of the La Prairie brand. This cellular therapy was first developed in 1931 by Dr. Paul Niehans at the Clinique La Prairie, a medical rejuvenation clinic that still exists in Montreux, Switzerland. He realized he could use cellular therapy to ease wrinkles, scars, and discoloration. After receiving cellular therapy treatments at the clinic, some clients requested to take some products home to extend the treatment they received at the clinic. From this spark, the idea of a skin care line—the La Prairie brand—was born.
1882 – 1971 Dr. Paul Niehans (Photo by Gertrude Fehr/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Since its establishment in 1978, La Prairie has focused extensive research on anti-aging skin care, using advanced science and technology to bring anti-aging to new heights. Drawing from Dr. Niehans’ cellular therapy, La Prairie’s researchers developed the exclusive Cellular Complex, La Prairie’s secret weapon against the tides of time. Ninety-six percent of La Prairie’s current products still contain the exclusive Cellular Complex.
This complex is so revolutionary that it remains a closely guarded secret of La Prairie. Besides the patented formula and processes, La Prairie divides production between three separate labs. There’s one lab for the yeast fermentation process, one lab for the microorganism fermentation process, and a third for blending together the various ingredients. No single technician or chemist knows the exact recipe.
After Dr. Paul Niehans developed cellular therapy at Clinique La Prairie in 1931, the clinic quickly became a sanctuary of rejuvenation among the elite echelons of society.
And with no hindrances such as cost or time, La Prairie has sought out the most luxurious and effective ingredients—rich caviar, rare platinum, and opulent gold—channeling their inexhaustible powers into skin care.
Because of La Prairie’s devotion to quality, its products withstand the test of time. According to Le Gloan, many of La Prairie’s current products have retained their original formulation. “La Prairie’s greatest success comes from performance on the skin,” Le Gloan says. “Our consumers, our clients, are the best advocates of the product.”
A leader in the industry, La Prairie does not try to follow the ebb and flow of skin care trends. “We have in mind our ways, where we are coming from, and charting our own course,” Le Gloan says.
BOLD INNOVATION
In their pursuit of the very best, La Prairie’s labs are always studying countless potential ingredients. When La Prairie first discovered the powers of caviar, an ingredient unheard of in the world of skin care, it was a major breakthrough. “I would say that it’s the result of having an extensive research scope, if you will. That’s how you can narrow down to something that’s exceptional,” Le Gloan says.
“[Skin] Caviar was launched in ’87, and it’s stronger than ever. I think the fact that this product has been around for many, many years—it’s a testament to its efficacy,” Le Gloan says.
La Prairie has recently relaunched its Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Sheer, and Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask, all remastered with Caviar Premier.
Another favorite is the White Caviar line, which helps to smooth spots and minimize skin discoloration. It is a number-one choice for Asian women who like to brighten their skin, and customers can witness its effects as their spots disappear in record time; often outpacing the market competition.
Nowadays, men too are increasingly coming to value skin care. “We estimate about 10 percent of our clients are men,” he says. Le Gloan says he uses La Prairie’s products every morning and almost every night. Among his personal favorites is White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion, which he uses to reduce redness in his skin when he doesn’t get enough sleep.
La Prairie’s White Caviar Collection brightens skin, minimizes discoloration, and increases skin firmness.
THE CLASSIC SKIN CAVIAR LINE—NOW EVEN BETTER
After 30 years of research and accumulating expertise, La Prairie has recently relaunched Skin Caviar Luxe Cream and Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Sheer, both remastered with Caviar Premier. Caviar Premier is an innovative blend of seven active ingredients, including natural Caviar Extract combined with caviar mimetics, which elevates and harnesses the powers of the natural Caviar Extract. With these powerful ingredients, Caviar Premier lifts, firms, and increases elasticity in the skin.
Besides Caviar Premier, this multipurpose facial cream also contains refining alpha hydroxy acids, extracted from plants, which gently exfoliate and smooth the skin; shea butter and sodium hyaluronate, which increase skin hydration; polyglucuronic acid and microalgae extracts, which increase skin firmness; and green tea and chamomile extracts to soothe the skin.
In the same line, the relaunched Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask is also infused with Caviar Premier as well as fermented yeast extract, which helps the skin’s natural detoxification system eliminate damaged cells and thus minimize the look of aged skin. It also contains botanical squalene, which nourishes the skin, replenishing moisture lost during the day.
INNOVATION MEETS ARTISTIC BEAUTY
La Prairie marries a spirit of bold innovation with a love for artistic beauty. To La Prairie, art is not just a source of inspiration. It’s an attitude that permeates all aspects of product and store design. It’s reflected in the Skin Caviar line—a beloved classic—which is known for its signature cobalt blue packaging. Its design was inspired by the works of the bold French artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
This year, La Prairie is welcoming a new design to its brick and mortar stores. The new store design was led by Stana Pijunovic, in-house chief architect, and draws inspiration from the graceful elegance of Swiss Contemporary Architecture. The custom-made sculptures in the store echo the packaging designs of La Prairie’s skin care products. Going beyond a traditional sales counter, the store creates a luxurious experience that surrounds customers with art. The first to take on the new look is La Prairie’s flagship store at Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, France.
La Prairie’s new store design draws inspiration from the graceful elegance of Swiss Contemporary Architecture.
Since its beginnings, La Prairie has continuously sought to achieve both daring innovation and aesthetic beauty. The brand is imbued with a spirit of Swiss precision, a devotion to scientific innovation, and an inexhaustible pursuit of the most precious ingredients. In doing so, it has created an exquisite and luxurious anti-aging experience. La Prairie’s endless pursuit has become a kind of promise—to make time appear to stop at a moment in your youth.
