Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVI

2 1 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he power to promote and encourage skin renewal is at the heart of many skincare brands. One of the first to achieve this in abundance and allow its avid worldwide followers to enjoy the benefits was Crème de la Mer. An original pioneer in its field, Crème de la Mer’s ingredients and philosophy all stem from a gentleman by the name of Dr Max Huber. Having suffered severe chemical burns after a tragic scientific experiment, Dr Huber went about creating a concoction to heal himself. An extensive 12-year period of research and 6,000 experiments later, he created what is now known as theMiracle Broth™. This can be found in all of the Crème de la Mer products and is integral to regenerating the skin. Thus the skin is smoother, more youthful and, ultimately, renewed. Taking his inspiration from the sea, a matter that covers 70% of our planet (with remarkably 97% still undiscovered), the Miracle Broth is a secret blend of ingredients, including sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamins B, C and B12, and such oils as citrus and sunflower. Taking inspiration from the fact that organisms living within our oceans can survive under extreme conditions, Crème de la Mer applies these elements to our skin. The miracle itself is in the process of biofermentation, which takes three to four months and is then enhanced further into an energy source acting as a potent catalyst for our skin’s regeneration. Energy levels are boosted, thus our skin’s radiant glow and general health are restored to their optimum levels. Every element of skincare is catered for in the range, from cleansing and hydrating the skin through to treatments such as their incredible new Intensive Revitalising Mask, a transforming mask that will give you instant results and long termbenefits – a new classic. Their bestseller, however, is the iconic original cream. The one that started it all, Crème de la Mer has the power to improve your skin almost beyond belief: this is the real miracle worker. Now available in different kinds according to your skin type or need (soft cream, lotion, gel or oil-absorbing), there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I’m also pleased to see that Crème de la Mer have continued to branch out into colour. Once the skin is perfected with care, it can then be enhanced further with a supreme range, including my personal favourite, their Radiant Concealer – a small compact that delivers amazing results. The texture, as you’d expect, is as smooth as silk, yet the coverage is full enough to cover any blemish or dark circle. Staying true to the principles of the mastermind behind Crème de la Mer, Max Huber, Loretta Miraglia is at the forefront of all the products and is fundamental in the brand’s development. Always looking forward yet still staying true to Mr Huber’s legacy and ingredients, I asked her some questions about the brand and her involvement. In addition, we’re treated to some insight about the new Illuminating Eye Gel that is being released in early 2015. Your founder, Max Huber, developed the range to help his own skin to heal from scarring and then realised Crème de la Mer would also regenerate skin to look younger. What do you believe his legacy is? We truly were the original luxe cream inspired by the sea and its reparative energy. Dr Max Huber was drawn to the regenerating properties of the sea and Crème de la Mer honours his legacy and love for the ocean by continuing the quest to find the best ingredients the ocean has to offer. In the beginning, the coveted nature of Crème de la Mer spread via word of mouth like wildfire. At Crème de la Mer, our consumers are at the heart of everything we do and we always work to satisfy their needs. Why is sea kelp considered to be so powerful? Dr Max Huber believed the sea was a miraculous resource. North American Pacific sea kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera in particular, captured his imagination. Macrocystis pyrifera is one of the fastest-growing organisms on earth, with fronds reaching as long as two hundred feet. It is rich in minerals and has the ability to grow at a rate of two feet a day in the prime growth seasons. With its endless ability to regenerate itself, its nourishing properties and the way it formidably retains moisture, sea kelp held promise and hope for healing. Are your ingredients sourced from all over the world? We search around the world when developing products. A great example is most recently for our new Illuminating Eye Gel. We made a breathtaking discovery inNormandy, France, where we’ve been able to discover a kelp farm to nurture and grow algae in a sustainable environment. And on this kelp farm we found a very delicate, brown alga (sea fern) with amazing brightening activity. With this ingredient at the heart of the new Illuminating Ferment, for the first time we can help counter the visible effects of excess melanin around the eyes. For luminous, clear eyes, the Illuminating Ferment helps to boost radiance, soothe and brighten. Are your products suitable for all skin types? With our moisturisers, we offer a choice to our consumers because they ask for it. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to what someone loves to use; their preference is personal. Also, conditions, climates, seasons and time change your skin and what you need and want. Some of us like to use Crème at night and TheMoisturizing Soft Cream in the day. Some of us are addicted to the original Crème and want nothing else. All Crème de La Mer’s five moisturiser choices provide the same miraculous benefits to allow for personalised moisture regimens. It is like having a Crème de la Mer for all seasons. We have yet to find ingredients more effective for improving the overall condition of the skin thanMiracle Broth™ and Lime Tea. Miracle Broth™ helps significantly to reduce dryness, soothe and calm sensitivities, and produce a radiance to renew the look of your skin. TheMoisturizing Lotion has a liposome technology that will leave a satin-like finish on the skin. The Moisturizing Soft Cream will feel more rich and dewy than The Moisturizing Lotion and at the same time absorbs beautifully. The original Crème has the same benefits but is richer than both. Do you have a ‘hero’ product in the line? Our original Crème and all of our moisturisers are truly transformative – just as people tell us. It’s addictive not just because of the love we put into our formulas, but also the handcrafted nature of the process that people feel and see on their faces. For many, Crème de la Mer takes what may be considered a luxury and turns it into a necessity. Our brand inspires people to share because of their personal experiences. How does Crème de la Mer give back? In recent years, we have partnered with National Geographic and Explorer-in-Residence, Dr Sylvia Earle. Called ‘Her Deepness’ by the New York Times, ’Living Legend’ by the Library of Congress and first ’Hero for the Planet’ by Time magazine, Dr Earle has loggedmore than 7,000 hours underwater, including leading the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970. She continues to inspire and be integral in Crème de la Mer’s World Oceans Day campaign. We are proud to continue our partnership with National Geographic Society to help improve the health of our oceans. To date, Crème de la Mer has donated almost $2 million to organisations to promote ocean conservation efforts. Can you tell us about anything new and exciting that’s coming up from Crème de la Mer? At Crème de la Mer, we see the trend in the making and take what we’ve learned (like fermentation, physics and the magnificence of the sea) and apply it to innovation. It’s no secret that I have always been fascinated by the idea of opposites – and how harmonising two things that inherently would seem to be at odds with one another can create the most innovative and beautiful results. For instance, if we think about the actions of blurring and brightening, by definition it’s hard to see how they can work together: to blur is to make dim, indistinct or vague, and to brighten means to add more light. With the new Illuminating Eye Gel, we want to show that opposites can converge to create something truly amazing. I was so inspired by this because I believe the eyes are the most powerful form of attraction – and even more powerful in communication. A woman may not speak a word but her eyes will tell you everything. So it makes sense that the bigger and brighter your eyes, the more attractive and telling they will be. This is what we wanted to bring out with the illuminating eye gel: a product that blurs the visibility of imperfections while brightening the look of eyes. In true Crème de la Mer fashion, we are bringing together two opposites for bright, luminescent, awakened eyes. That said, nothing will ever change the original Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream, the Miracle Broth, or the innate philosophy of this brand. We do not ever seek to change it, but the constant discoveries unlocked by the power of our Miracle Broth allow us to strive for excellence. Crème de laMer