They say that the passage of time wrinkles the skin, but the loss of illusion wrinkles the soul. The art of aging well involves moving from literally "fighting" against the marks left by the years, to understanding the skin as a living organism that must be celebrated, cared for, and nourished, regardless of its marks.
We have never used the term anti-aging. If you have been following us since our beginnings, we have always talked about keeping skin healthier for longer. We have never associated ourselves with the negative connotation implied by the "anti-aging" label. Terms like well-aging, pro-aging, or slow-aging suggest a much kinder passage of time and help us worry less about "wrinkles" and focus more on growing into our own skin.
Despite this, the process of accepting age is a fact, and although it is inevitable, clean and well-chosen cosmetics can work wonders on mature skin that becomes thinner and more delicate. Especially in "telltale" areas, those snitches that should be treated in time so that they are worth more for what they keep silent than for what they reveal...
Hands, the great informers
Always exposed to the elements, weather, ultraviolet radiation, and, in post-pandemic times, to extreme sanitization with high-alcohol content. Hands betray age more than any other part of the body due to extreme dryness, pigmented areas, or roughness that leaves them chapped and lifeless. The art of aging well involves not forgetting them for a second and nourishing them with complete treatments that restore their structure.
Pedro Catalá recommends: Great Barrier Relief Cream. "When I learned about a novel technique (enzymatic lipid activation), I knew it was time to retrieve that hand care formula from the drawer that I never got to formulate and introduce all the benefits these active oils provided. The result is a rich, easily absorbed emulsion, enriched with niacinamide, to keep the delicate skin of the hands healthy for longer."
Niacinamide is the big trending ingredient, not only for its soothing action in cases of irritation, but also for its property of controlling irregular pigmentation. There are even studies that consider it more effective than hydroquinone without its side effects, although its efficacy goes beyond that. It improves elasticity, strengthens the skin barrier, and repairs cell damage induced by ultraviolet rays.
An action that is multiplied thanks to the glycerides of almond, borage, and olive vegetable oils, which restore sebum and protect the skin from frequent washing. In addition to shea butter, which enhances elasticity and replenishes dry and chapped skin.
Neck, the eternal tell-tale
When we consider a beauty ritual, we usually focus on the face area, but we rarely remember the neck. That area that neither facial moisturizer reaches nor body lotion touches. Until the "crepey" effect makes an appearance, and then we throw our hands up in despair. The skin on the neck is no peccata minuta... It is subject to frequent movements, is thinner and more prone to wrinkling than any other area of the body. It has no lipids and its weak muscular structure does not give it enough support.
There are many syndromes and effects focused on this area: from neck stress to tech neck due to the tensions caused by spending many hours in front of electronic devices, the well-known Venus rings (horizontal lines around the neck) or vertical lines that are generated by a collagen deficiency or poor posture (for example, when sleeping).
Pedro Catalá recommends: products containing hydrating and antioxidant agents, such as Ideal Moisture Level Serum. "I wanted to use the largest super-hydrating hyaluronic acid molecule in this product to create a permeable film that would keep the skin flexible and hydrated. I also added other ingredients that help retain water better, such as saccharide isomerate."
Essential active ingredients: hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid film helps preserve the most important characteristics of young and healthy skin, such as flexibility, elasticity, and tone. Panthenol, an excellent moisturizing agent for the skin that also stimulates epithelization. And mallow extract, which calms and enhances hydration.
Essential!: good protection against ultraviolet rays and other harsh elements such as pollution with a good dose of antioxidants. The Artemisia extract in Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF50+ constitutes the first line of defense against environmental pollution and the harmful effects of UV rays.
Elbows and knees, the most worn-out
They are the covering for two of the body's main joints. The ones with the most mobility throughout life. And they are covered by skin that is constantly subjected to extension and contraction. Collagen cells give way. The outer layer thickens as a result of keratin hardening, causing cracks and a darkened skin tone. How can this be mitigated? By avoiding extreme dryness so that collagen and keratin do not degrade.
Pedro Catalá recommends: Rewarding Body Balm. "With this rich yet easily absorbed body balm, I wanted to correct chronic dry skin, skin that has been permanently parched, sensitive, and fragile for years. It works because the blend mimics the oils we have in our healthy skin, in the same concentrations."
A true nourishment for the skin rich in nutrients, such as the unsaponifiable fraction of sunflower oil, highly moisturizing due to its ability to provide lipids and deeply soften the skin, in addition to acting as cellular cement and stimulating the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and filaggrin, which are key proteins of the epidermis.
And other active ingredients, such as Epilobium extract, with a flash effect, which improves the overall appearance of the skin, or Spent grain wax, rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid indispensable for the regeneration of the epidermal barrier, excellent for dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.