Lancome Launches Its New Blanc Expert Derm Crystal Serum

THE miracle OF CRYSTAL SKIN

IN THE DERMIS LIES THE secret OF LIGHT…

Excellence born of experience and expertise – this is what Lancôme offers Asian women. To its

unparalleled experience of understanding their specific skincare concerns, Lancôme adds its unrivalled expertise - a unique combination that empowers women to attain their utmost beauty aspirations. Loss of translucency is, alongside dark spots, consistently cited by Asian women as their major skincare preoccupation. Beyond evenness, translucency also comes from natural light emanating from deep within the skin.

For the first time, our Research has revealed that one of the origins of that natural light also lies

in the dermis. Indeed our Research goes one step further in the understanding of the function of the

dermis in the pigmentation process by highlighting the role of its cells to achieve an ideal of luminous, crystal skin.

Thanks to these studies, Lancôme now has the power to reveal skin’s natural light. That power is at

the heart of an outstanding new formula, an activating essence that is designed to achieve crystal brightness:

ACHIEVE THE miracle OF CRYSTAL SKIN

NEW SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE: DERMAL CELLS ARE A KEY SOURCE OF NATURAL LIGHT

For Asian women, translucency – defined as a unique combination of radiance, even tone and a

smooth, fine texture – represents the ideal of beautiful skin. Just as the purest light of all is as transparent as crystal, so the natural light that radiates through truly translucent skin is dazzling in its beauty.

A. Influence of dermis quality on transparent look

An important study was conducted by our Research on 120 Asian women (from 18 to 80 years old) to explore the possible interactions between light and skin which seem one essential key for the

transparent look the Asian women expect for. We noticed in the past the weight of optical skin properties especially backscattering light in the consumer’s appreciation of transparent look (15%). After having measured this specific backscattering light in vivo, our researchers projected these data versus superficial dermis structures visualized with an ultrasound apparatus and established a significant correlation between light and dermis texture.

B. Role of the dermis in skin pigmentation

To reveal a new source of skin’s inner light, our Researchers developed a unique complete 3D model of pigmented reconstructed skin - a significant advance in cosmetic science that was presented in May 2011 at the World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, South Korea. This physiological living model, is composed by a dermis and an epidermis, and contains the three major types of skin cells, respectively fibroblasts and for the upper layer keratinocytes and melanocytes. This model represents an outstandingly reliable tool for studying the processes of skin pigmentation. What this unique skin model revealed for the first time was that – in addition to existing known actors, notably epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes – the key cells of the dermis, the fibroblasts, play a fundamental role in regulating skin pigmentation. This important discovery was validated by our Researchers in two ways:

1. The key role of dermal cells on skin pigmentation and luminance. Two reconstructed skin models with pigmentation abilities were created: one with fibroblasts and one without fibroblasts. The skin model without fibroblasts showed drastic constitutive hyperpigmentation compared to the model with living dermal cells, demonstrating that fibroblasts influence pigmentary function. Moreover, fibroblasts influence the luminance of the skin.

2. The key role of photoaged dermal cells on pigmentation In a second approach, our researchers produced two reconstructed skin models with pigmentation abilities: one with young fibroblasts and one in which the fibroblasts had been subjected to photo-aging. The photoaged model showed significantly higher levels of both pigmentation and melanogenesis activity. Meanwhile, young fibroblasts efficiently regulate pigmentary function. These tests show that aged fibroblasts can generate skin hyperpigmentation with age.

Acting on these new findings, Lancôme was able to develop its most complete whitening strategy yet. In addition to addressing established factors of skin pigmentation at epidermal level, the technology of new Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal™ Crystal Brightness Activating Essence is designed to target the dermis, original source of natural light, to reveal skin’s inner light as never before.

For GLOBALTRANSPARENCYAND RADIANCE

FROM THE DERMIS TO THE SURFACE

Lancôme’s utmost formula to date, Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal™ contains the exclusive Dermactyl

Complex, an unprecedented alliance of Soy, Sunflower, Mint and Rose extracts to target the dermis, associated with powerful actives to target the epidermis. To offer a brightening action from the dermis to the surface.

1. Dermactyl Complex: to target the dermis

Soy and Sunflower extracts help to reveal ideally luminous and bright skin. Soy extract works to stimulate* the fibroblasts to produce bright new collagen fibres, for a radiant skin. The stimulating action of Soy extract on fibroblasts is completed by an effect on melanin synthesis. Tested on our new 3D model of pigmented reconstructed skin, Soy extract significantly reduces melanogenesis by 36.5% compared to control. It is important to note that the histology of our 3D model of pigmented reconstructed skin shows that Soy extract regulates the quantity of synthesised melanin while preserving skin integrity and melanocytes number and morphology.

2. actyl p: to target the epidermis
 At the epidermis level, a new QD whitening agent, Actyl P, acts globally

 to help regulate pigmentation.

 - by inhibiting* tyrosinase activity, the enzyme responsible for triggering

melanogenesis

 - by protecting* the epidermis cells from UVs.

Actyl P, tested on keratinocytes/ melanocytes cocultures, showed its capacity to protect epidermis cells under UV by preserving the expression of detoxification and antioxidation genes (AKR1 and GPX3). Simultaneously, on the surface, salicylic acid gently stimulates the natural desquamation process to reveal brighter, smoother skin.

Blanc expert derm -crystal ™ LIGHT DROP-BY-DROP

INSPIRED BY A DROP OF LIGHT,

A CRYSTALLINE TEXTURE IN LUMINOUS PACKAGING

For a unique formula, a unique texture. Clear as crystal, each delicate droplet of Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal™ is like a drop of light, gently suffusing the skin to leave it fresh, and luminous, lusciously

moist and subtly scented.

A NEW CRYSTAL BLUE JAR

A drop-by-drop applicator tops an elegant crystalline bottle. From the dark blue base, the tint of the bottle gradually becomes lighter, symbolizing the unique action of Blanc Expert Derm-Crystal™ in revealing light from deep within the skin. Coinciding with the introduction of this revolutionary essence, the entire Lancôme Blanc Expert range will be presented in luxuriously upgraded packaging. The sophisticated design of the new midnight blue jars and bottles, subtly illuminated by a metallic shimmer, reflects the status of Blanc Expert as Asian women’s foremost brightening skincare range of choice.