This beauty brand’s parent company makes renewable jet fuel. JACLYN GUNASILAN finds out in San Francisco how it stumbled upon anti-ageing technology too.
This beauty brand’s parent company makes renewable jet fuel. JACLYN GUNASILAN finds out in San Francisco how it stumbled upon anti-ageing technology too.
Thousands of high-tech start-ups have set up shop in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, and Solazyme, a biotechnology company, is just one of them. So what sets it apart? Well, Solazyme chanced upon an ingredient that led to the company creating its own skincare brand, Algenist, five years ago.
Here’s how it happened: While developing technology to use microalgae as a form of renewable energy, the company’s scientists discovered a compound in algae that helps protect it from harsh conditions. The company gave this compound the moniker Alguronic Acid.
According to tests conducted by the company, Alguronic Acid, when used in skincare, has anti-inflammatory, regenerating and UV-protecting benefits. So began a skincare brand with a range of products – cleansers, serums, eye products and moisturisers – all infused with Alguronic Acid and other microalgae extracts.
When I was in San Francisco earlier this year, I learned about Algenist’s latest anti-ageing range, Power. It focuses on improving the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, and promises visible results in a mind-boggling period of just 10 days. Here’s what you can expect from this two-product range.
Algenist Power Advanced Wrinkle Fighter Serum, $146.
This potent workhorse is formulated with the anti-ageing Alguronic Acid, moisturising algae extracts and Peptide 3D Complex, which supposedly helps to plump up wrinkles. I loved its featherlight texture and the barely-there finish. My complexion looked plumper and less tired after a week’s use.
Algenist Power Advanced Wrinkle Fighter Moisturizer, $139.
Besides the brand’s famous Alguronic Acid, this cream moisturiser has Algaprotein, a microalgae cell with great-for-skin essential amino acids. I used it for a week, and my smile lines looked slightly softer and my skin felt smoother.
