Immunocologie, a new, luxury line of skincare developed around the science of your immune system.
In the wonderful world of skincare, there is always something new and often, exciting. But will the next bottle bring you the secret to eternal youth? Since the beginning of recorded time, we’ve been trying to find that “special something” that will make our skin soft and youthful. Cleopatra supposedly bathed her body in milk to keep and there are countless potions launched all the time that promise all sorts of new and wonderful things.
Immunocologie is a new skincare line that really does have some unique ingredients to commend it. The company calls the line “the only skincare line based on the science of the skin’s immune system.”
What does that mean and why would it be important to you? Well, considering that your skin is your body’s largest organ, it’s very important. If you are one of the lucky few who is truly healthy, your skin operates at it’s most optimal metabolic rate and that also means that it protects and repairs itself at it’s most optimal rate. But most of us really aren’t all that healthy. We don’t live in perfect conditions. We’re exposed to allergans, pollutants, other people. We get sick and we don’t sleep or eat well. We get stressed out. We’re exposed to free radicals, changes in weather, the sun’s damaging rays, and if you believe that this is important, electronic device emissions and a bunch of other things that we can’t see or feel or sense, but that could affect the way our skin reacts and looks, and ages.
The Immunocologie skin care line uses what the company calls “Biocosmeceutical Technology” to create a skincare regimen that they say is specifically designed to support the natural processes of your skin’s immune system, and that will help to combat all of these skin saboteurs. Using bio-‐available plant-based actives, the formulas help skin cells generate the same positive skin responses that your skin would normally produce if conditions were optimal and you were optimally healthy. In other words, even if you lead a stressful and not so perfect life, the skincare products use these bio actives to stimulate your skin’s natural immune response, supposedly repairing damage on a cellular level and regulating cell turnover while encouraging new cells. Therefore, you skin should function better and your skin should look better and stay more youthful, too. The ingredients are backed by in-vitro clinical studies which I have not seen, but I am able to request if anyone wants to see them.
For those who love to know more technical information about what’s in products, you’ll want to note that the key signature component is a Vital Oligo Complex which has 15 essential elements that the company says are crucial for the proper functioning of skin cells, encapsulated in a delivery system that allows it to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin . Plant-derived peptides and oligopeptides, super anti-‐oxidants, nourishing oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals all proven great for skin are also included.
So far, I’m quite delighted with the products that were personally demonstrated on my skin and with the explanation of how and why the ingredients can do good things for my “body’s largest organ.”
Another supposed “featured” is that the products don’t contain emulsifiers, often used in skincare to stabilize creams and lotions by breaking down oils, but emulsifiers can also break down the natural oils in your skin by negatively impacting the barrier function of your skin. And another good thing about this new line is that Immunocologie operates according to the Nagoya Protocol, a global agreement whose objective is ensuring a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. That is nice, too.
So let’s get into the details of some of what I think are three of the standout products in the line:
Helix Aspersa snail
One of the more intriguing products in this line is the Immunocologie Super 7 Elixir Firming Complex ($325.00 1 fl. oz.). The cost did make me cringe. What contained within this pump bottle is so precious? For starters, the serum has something called “mucin” that is cultivated from the Helix Aspersa snail, native to the shores of Brittany, France. It also provides firming and nourishing benefits with a wealth of enzymes that (without going into too much technical mumbo-jumbo) immediately help to tighten the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The actives in Super 7 Elixir Face also acting as a biological activator, helping messenger molecules detect and repair scar tissue. If the idea of snail “secretion” on your face seems kind of icky, keep in mind that there are plenty of other things in skincare that are far worse, and besides, snail secretions have glycolic acid, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and elastin, all great for anti-aging. Apparently, if a snail’s shell breaks it can actually regenerate it, so these properties are translated to your skin (thanks to that nutrient-rich mucin). You won’t see anything or feel anything but you will enjoy the luxurious scent of vetiver and patchouli, both of which are calming and lovely.
The big WOW came from the Intense Eye Creme ($175.00, 05 oz.). This little jar of creme is specifically formulated to increase blood flow and eliminate toxins around the orbital eye area. it has lots of anti-oxidants, mineral and other ingredients that help reduce puffiness, dark circles, and toxins. It tingles and you can immediately feel it tightening and de-puffing. When it was applied to one of my eyes at the launch event (yes, I volunteered in front of a bunch of other editors to be the guinea pig) they audibly gasped. I didn’t really get to see it but they did.
Immunocologie Vital Mist
Another interesting product in this line is the Vital Mist ($65.00). Immunocologie Vital Oligo Face Mist is an invigorating and hydrating Facial spritz that has 15 minerals to refresh you skin and balance it. But the big feature of this product is that it is touted as being particularly great to use when you are sitting in front of your computer, TV, using your cell phone, etc. According to a company spokesperson: “Pollution and electronic devices, like cell phones, computers and TVs, proliferate negative ions which bring imbalance to your skin. Your skin needs positive ions to function properly. As an example, positive ions are in water—think about how good your skin looks and feels when you walk along the shoreline or after a rainy day when the air is humid,”
The spray is odorless and feels refreshing and it feels like, but I’m dubious about neutralizing negative ions and the importance of positive ion therapy, which is one of Immunocologie’s selling points. I had one of these ion neutralizers on my cell phone for years but there is really no way to quantify whether or not you are doing any real good with it. Pollution and electronic devices such as cell phones and computers and televisions generate lots of negative ions that may or may not bring imbalances to your skin. I’m not weighing in on this issue. If you believe this is important, then this is an additional selling point for Immunocologie and you may have yet another reason to feel good about paying more than the average cost of skincare, for this line.
The bottom line: Immunocologie has a lot of unique ingredients, thoughtfully blended to bring a luxury experience to the discerning consumer. The products personally fascinate me, but it’s fair to say that the people most likely to purchase the products will be celebrities, socialites, and those with enough disposable income to want the latest innovations in skincare. The sleek, black containers are beautiful to look at and appropriate for men and women. The scented products are lovely and calming. Everything about the line is pleasurable and luxurious, but as I have always cautioned, the most high tech and the most expensive products in the world will not give you the result you want if they are not appropriate for your skin’s needs, and if you don’t use them as directed and regularly. As an entire skincare regimen, Immunocologie would be a considerable investment that would not be within reach for the average consumer on a budget, but an individual product could be.
Immunocologie is available at Clyde’s Chemists in Manhattan, Whites in East Hampton, and on the Immunocologie web site
