Every now and then, a magazine article is so interesting that it must be shared. This is from the 2011 Spring Edition of Taiwanese beauty magazine, Queen (女人我最大), which for some reason I totally missed until recently re-reading the issue.
The article is about skincare items that have stayed on the market for over 20 years. As you can imagine, the beauty industry is severely competitive and ever-changing. Customers want newness, and chase the products with the latest buzz ingredient(s).
So credits to these products that have endured the test of (commercial) time. I’ll limited the products to the 10 that have been around for more than 30 years, and list them in descending order:
1. Shiseido Eudermine – 132 years
Product functions: Replenish moisture, revitalise complexion, calm and softens skin
A softening lotion that delivers immediate moisture and improves your skin’s own moisturizing power. The result is supple, smooth skin. Responds to changes in climate to keep the skin’s moisture level constant regardless of location or time of year. Recommended for all skin types. Use morning and night after cleanser.
125ml AUD$95
2. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream – 81 years
Product functions: Sooth and nourish extremely dry skin
Helps protect, soothe and moisturize skin. Soothes dry skin and provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Soothes and comforts minor weather burns, scrapes and abrasions. An all-purpose balm loved by celebrities and makeup artist as it can be used as gloss, brow fixative, and reverse the dryness of cuticles, elbows, heels.
50ml AUD$38
3. Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil – 51 years
Product functions: Nourish and revitalise dehydrated, ageing skin
Anti-aging care for Dehydrated Skin. 100% pure plant extracts. Zero preservatives. This best-selling oil contains extracts of Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalize and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut Oil helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines. Non-staining.
Also available are Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily/combination skin, and Santal Face Treatment Oil for dry/irritated skin. 40ml AUD$65.
4. La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturising Cream – 46 years
Product functions: Repair and Moisturise the skin
Originally developed by NASA scientist Max Huber to treat his severe chemical burns which he sustained in an accidental explosion during an experiment, this cult product contains sea kelp, The Lime Tea and other precious ingredients. The outstanding properties of Crème de la Mer are the result of not only the individual ingredients but also the artisanal way in which they are sourced, specifically combined, meticulously formulated and then hand filled.
30ml AUD$250; 60ml AUD$440
5. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil – 45 years
Product functions: Cleanse, make-up removal
Shu Uemura cleansing oil was developed from the knowledge that Mr. Uemura gained while working as a foremost hollywood makeup artist in the 1950s. the secret to Shu Uemura cleansing oil is protecting the skin’s delicate balance while removing make-up and impurities in a single step.
Available in 5 variants AUD$105 – $125
6. Clinique Facial Soap with Dish – 43 years
Product function: Cleanse
The first step to great skin, this hand-milled non-drying bar soap maintains protective lipids while loosening surface flakes. Leaves skin clean, comfortable, refreshed-never taut or dry. Preps skin for the exfoliating action of Clarifying Lotion. Comes with a convenient soap dish.
Available in 3 variants: Extra Mild, Mild, Oily. 100g AUD$22
7. Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum – 40 years
Product function: Sooth and nourish irritated skin
A highly potent soothing serum dedicated to sensitive skin prone to irritations, helps diminish the appearance of redness and quiets the appearance of irritations as it softens skin. Provides daily protection against environmental aggressors.
30ml AUD$130
8. Albion Essential Skin Conditioner – 37 years
Product functions: Brighten/Whiten, Hydrate, Condition acnes prone skin
Albion Essential Skin Conditioner improves problematic skin, regulates and improves skin metabolism, calms redden skin and prevents skin roughness and invasion of pimples. Contains Job’s Tears which is a healthy ingredient for skin, Albion Essential Skin Conditioner can help beautifying and whitening skin as well as getting rid of acne.
165ml USD$84; 330ml USD$152
9. Sisley Emulsion Ecologique Ecological Compound – 31 years
Product functions: Restore vitality and radiance, Hydrate, Strengthen skin
Sisley Emulsion Ecologique is a fluid emulsion formulated with the finest botanical extracts. It infuses the skin with vitamins and minerals to help it rebuild its own defence system. Perfectly soft and hydrated, the skin rapidly regains tone, vitality and elasticity. Skin is strengthened and protected from external stress, factors and the damaging effects of the environment. Moisturised and revitalised, the skin appears more radiant and healthy.
125ml AUD$255
10. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – 31 years
Product functions: Refine skin texture, Boost Radiance, Hydrate, Anti-ageing
Containing more than 90% PiteraTM, this much loved miracle water is a must-have for healthy, radiant skin. It helps maintain the skin’s natural renewal cycle to its optimal condition to allow skin nourishment. It also works to balance the skin’s pH and sebum secretion, so oily and dry areas are properly moisturised.
75ml AUD$100; 150ml AUD$185
I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I’ve not tried any of these cult products – and never even heard of Shiseido’s Eudermine! But they are definitely on my list now, especially SK-II, La Mer and Sisley. I’ve really loved researching for this piece though, especially this image I found on the package evolution of Shiseido Eudermine (BTW review from the amazeball Dempeux here):
Other 20+ year old products include Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (29 years), Kose Medicated Sekkisei (26 years), Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Concentrated Serum (25 years), Guerlain Aqua-Serum Optimum Hydration Revitalizer (24 years) and Chanel Precision Hydramax Active Serum (21 years).
Have you tried any of these classics? I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
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