Comfort Zone Sublime Skin, originally launched in 2015, has been completely reformulated and improved by scientists at the Davines Village Scientific Garden and Laboratory in Parma, Italy.

Dr Maria Bucci, a dermatologist, PhD in Plastic and Aesthetic Dermatology and longstanding member of Comfort Zone’s Scientific Committee, worked with the company on the creation of the original Sublime Skin products and facials and has collaborated again with the R&D team on the new reformulation.

The range, which is available both in spas and online, benefits from the company’s latest research into senescence and skin regeneration and its new proprietary Archi-Lift technology that Bucci says “promotes the creation of collagen while producing a ‘natural filler’ effect and reducing the causes of wrinkles and loss of tone at a cellular level”.

As she explains: “The Sublime Skin line acts on several levels – it can counteract cellular senescence by giving cellular protection from premature ageing, thanks to new generation peptides, while the presence of Hyaluronic acid and active ingredients stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, helping regain the skin turgor that gives the face a younger appearance.

The research
To create the reformulation, the team focused on finding a treatment for the cellular degeneration – or senescence – that occurs as we age.

This is caused by the presence of inflammatory substances and the lack of cell replication which affects the three basic components of our skin’s architecture: water, proteins and lipids.

This process leads to a weakening of the structure of the face which the Comfort Zone team has named ‘Degener-Aging’, as it gives rise to the appearance of wrinkles and loss of tone and definition in the face, meaning it no longer has clear contours.

Bucci explains:“ When cells become senescent, studies have shown that they release harmful substances which contaminate neighbouring cells, accelerating ageing in all skin layers.”

Age-defying active ingredients
Bucci says Sublime Skin, with its Archi-Lift technology, is a natural alternative to aesthetic injections, fillers and Botox, thanks to a unique synergy of high-tech and botanical ingredients.

These include the innovative Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which inhibits muscle contractions to immediately reduce wrinkles and expression lines, and counteracts cell degeneration by reducing the presence of inflammatory molecules by more than 55 per cent. It also features extracts of Achillea Millefolium, which has been proven to stimulate collagen production by more than 35 per cent.

The beneficial effects of using Achillea Millefolium were observed during experiments at the open-air laboratory at the Davines Village when – during testing under 24 and 48-hour stress conditions – Achillea Millefolium-treated cells showed an increase in collagen synthesis and a decrease in the secretion of the enzymes that destroy collagen.

Proof of concept
To prove the efficacy of the new Sublime Skin line, Comfort Zone tested out the ‘hero’ product – Sublime Skin Intensive Serum – on more than 100 women across the world.

Results showed a 25 per cent reduction in wrinkles, a perceived rejuvenated look and improvements in the skin’s elasticity after 28 days of use.

Comfort Zone’s marketing director, Luisa Poisa, believes the company has reached an important milestone, due to its research into the cause and effect of cellular senescence.

“The creation of Archi-Lift and the relaunch of Sublime Skin has raised the profile of Comfort Zone within the international anti-ageing market,” she commented.

Clean and carbon-neutral
In line with Comfort Zone’s long-term sustainability mission, Sublime Skin products are clean and vegan, with up to 99 per cent natural ingredients and a natural fresh fragrance.

More specifically, they are all free from silicones, parabens, animal derivatives, artificial colourants and do not contain acrylates and PEGs.

Product packaging is easily recyclable and carbon offset through the Davines Group’s proprietary reforestation and social development project, Ethio Trees [www.spabusiness.com/ethio].

Furthermore, the serum comes in a refillable version and the glass vases have been re-engineered to be lighter and have a lower carbon footprint.

More: www.spabusiness.com/sublimeskin