SYNACTIF, REIMAGINED

To parse all the benefits of the new Synactif, dian pasquinal kaur speaks to the scientist behind the skincare, Kentaro Kajiya, who extols the benefits of leveraging on skin’s natural ability to remove impurities and self-beautify.

Kentaro Kajiya, the scientist behind the Synactif, extols the benefits of leveraging the skin’s natural ability to self-beautify

Skin concerns have multiplied in isolation, hasn’t it? What more with the new normal of masking up, lack of vitamin D from the sun and increased stress which have all had an adverse effect on the body’s largest organ. Prestige-Malaysia was recently invited to experience the new Synactif series and we must say that we were floored by everything the uber-luxe range had to offer. Not for nothing, Synactif is often described as the pinnacle of luxury for Clé de Peau Beauté since its launch in 2004 and the brains behind the brand continue to raise the bar higher with extensive scientific research.

IN THE LAB OF LOVE

A vital part of Synactif is built upon the revolutionary method of detoxifying spa treatments, often described as a symphony of science and the senses. It leverages on the skin’s natural ability to remove impurities and beautify. Yes, you read that right. This range supports the skin’s selfbeautifying system for a more radiant and sculpted look.

Director of the Skin Value Department at Shiseido Global Innovation Center, Kentaro Kajiya, says it is vital for our skin to purify and regenerate itself to maintain its own beauty; and the key to stimulate skin purification and regeneration is our lymphatic capillaries.

“With the common knowledge that lymphatic capillaries run throughout the body to collect fluid and impurities, our researchers concluded that impurities being collected and discharged by lymphatic capillaries is key to skin's regeneration,” he says.

In simpler words, instead of restoring what the skin loses with age or from UV damage; the new focus is on effectively eliminating anything that has deteriorated to create an optimal environment for skin to create something new.

Kajiya tells us that “the mechanism of lymphatic aging” that they have discovered in this study is the phenomenon of “cell transformation”, which has attracted attention in recent years in the medical field. “Based on a hypothesis: ‘Is it possible that this phenomenon has also occurred in the skin’, we worked with the Tokyo Medical and Dental University to research further and discovered this phenomenon. In the future, we will continue to study the mechanisms that trigger skin-aging through collaborating with academia,” he adds.

POTENT BLEND OF BOTANICALS

The ability of lymphatic capillaries diminishes over time partly due to aging and this process dramatically deteriorates in our 40s. As luck (and hard work) would have it, the team discovered that the component extracted from mulberry white bark has the effect of preventing the loss of lymphatic capillaries. Meanwhile, they’ve found components derived from lamium album leaf and cinnamomum cassia bark help to repair damaged lymphatic capillaries.

Based on this very finding, you can therefore rely on this range of products to help the skin regenerate its cells if you’re not keen on aesthetic or medical treatments.

Medical and aesthetic treatments prescribed by dermatologists typically work directly in deeper layers of the skin. “Since Synactif cream and other products in the collection are classified as cosmetic products, they can be viewed as being milder, less intrusive, and therefore can be used safely for daily application over an extended period of time,” explains Kajiya.

And these are the reasons why this range is ahead of its curve and is particularly appealing to women who are constantly in search for the next best thing to look good and feel good.

THE RITUAL

To reap the most skincare benefits, the six synergising steps each has a complementing massage technique to bring out the best of Synactif. It’s hard to miss the underlying fragrance in this ritual, which is replicated from Rose Synactif – an award-wining and carefully cultivated rose that has an invigorating scent unlike any other that is said to only be released the moment the flower blooms for a few hours in the mornings during the month of May.

Start with cleansing your face with the Synactif soap and massaging your face in outward circular motions before applying the lotion. This lotion is said to contain the power to improve skin texture and tone while the new formulation of rose extract helps lock in moisture. Over time, you will notice an improvement in skin clarity and plumpness.

There are two moisturisers in this line designed to fit into your daytime and night-time ritual, with the latter step to be followed by Synactif cream that is packed with high concentration of “purifying beautifier” that truly revitalises the skin. And finally, the eye cream that is super hydrating and gives the eye area a smoother and lifted look with continued use.

Nothing comes without hard work; and follow the massage technique for each steps. Kajiya reminds us that physically pushing the lymph to promote flow with the fingers makes it easier for impurities collected in the lymphatic capillaries to be disposed of.

“Facial lymph flow may be more likely to be impaired, especially if the body’s muscles are weakened by lack of exercise or movement in general. In such a case, a combination of the Synactif products and lymph massage will provide an even greater visible result.”

Kajiya is committed to skin science and believes this area of study captures his interest because there is still so much more that we do not know about the human body. “Every discovery unlocks new innovations, while every new insight can inspire even greater progress,” he concludes.