The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the Polla family. Ada Polla Tray, co-creator of the cosmeceutical skincare line Alchimie Forever, launched the antioxidant skincare line in North America in 2004 and is leading its further development stateside and in Europe. Created by Ada's parents, Drs. Luigi and Barbara Polla, in 2000, Alchimie Forever first launched in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a family that has devoted itself to the science and care of skin. Luigi Polla, MD is a world-renowned dermatologist and European leader in the field of cosmetic laser therapy. Barbara Polla, MD is a leader in biomedical research on antioxidants and stress proteins. Both are specialists in cellular aging. Their skincare line is based on a combination of powerful natural antioxidants including green tea, rosemary, basil, turmeric, blueberries, grape seeds and tomatoes.
Known for their love and promotion of art (they have the Analix Forever Art Gallery in Geneva) as well as science, the Polla family is without a doubt making their mark.
You may be thinking, "...sure, Ada just had everything spoon-fed to her". Wrong! This sassy, ambitious woman is forging her own trail here in the USA. Ada followed up her undergrad degree from Harvard (magna cum laude at that) with an MBA from Georgetown and travels extensively to promote the skincare line. Her efforts have landed the company's high-end anti-aging products in the pages of French Vogue, InStyle, Vivre and more.
The products marry anti-aging technology with botanicals. Aside from what's already at top, what other ingredients can you find in the line? Yummy, fabulous, good for the skin ingredients like oats, wild pansies, jojoba and shea butters, watercress, willowbark, papaya, cucumber, grapefruit, vitamin E. In some of their body products (Q-Switch for instance), you can also find infusions of caffeinated mate' leaves, Amazonian guarana, ginger, and marine algae for toning effects.Controversially, perhaps, what else will you find in some Alchimie Forever products? Parabens.
Ada offers no apology for using parabens. She believes that studies indicting parabens as cancerous are deeply flawed. "We don't know if parabens are implicated in cancer because the researchers did not study this. We need large-scale studies to prove or disprove causation, and there hasn't been a single one." Until there's an antibacterial agent that's equally effective and doesn't irritate the skin, Ada says Alchimie Forver will continue to use parabens (noted: albeit at very low, fractional percentages) and "not using them with our natural ingredients would pose a health risk".
What I can tell you of the products I've tried from Alchimie Forever is I completely adore them! They feel wonderful on the skin, are incredibly effective, their light, fresh aromas are a treat to the senses and a joy to use.
GIVEAWAY
Sooooo . . . to close out our wonderful week of Earth Day explorations, we're giving away a jar of Alchimie Forever's new gentle antioxidant facial scrub: Excimer+.
This isn't just any scrub, this is an ultra-gentle creamy exfoliant with cranberry and jojoba beads that work synergistically to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin, while papaya enzymes exfoliate. Lychee extract rejuvenates and brightens as rosemary works to calm inflammation and prevent breakouts. Shea butter hydrates, ensuring this scrub is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin types.
TO ENTER:
- 1) Post a comment to this feature letting what your favorite skincare ingredient is;
- 2) Send me an email with GIVEAWAY in the subject line, and include your email address and US mailing address (failure to send this information will prevent my being able to send you the product, thus disqualify entry)
That's all there is to it! Some restrictions may apply. Contest open to US residents only. Winners will be chosen at random from among entrants. This giveaway is limited to one winner. Duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. Giveaway sponsored by Alchimie Forever and by For the Love of Beauty. Entries will be accepted through 11:59 pm on Sun., 05/11/08.
Rachel Polla
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Description of this fragrance is best given by its creator and so I will quote for your own imagery delight, "Oak moss and a bouquet of resins lay in the shade of ylang ylang and blood orange; coursing through its heart is a redolent fusion of hibiscus and vanilla that coils through dimly lit veils of Moroccan red rose and Sicilian lemon" L'Invisble is the namesake fragrance of SIP and is the aromatic incarnation of something that is material yet hidden from sight; inhabiting the french verb sentir, which means both to smell and to feel. Treat yourself to a bevy of sensual experiences simply by visiting the website.
Brought back in December after discontinuing the fragrance, the UK company deservedly received much appreciation for its return - yea!!! Rosa Maya honors the beguiling sensuality of the rose with its complex and intriguing fragrance having a fresh, floral, citrus top note; a heart of rose, slightest hint of jasmine, and osmanthus; and a sensual base of woods (sandalwood in particular), spices and musks. The fragrance is a Clean Product containing only natural and nature identical ingredients.
A bit pricey, but so worth it for fabulously shiny, healthy, color-maintained locks. Rich, yet extra-mild, zero-sulfate, anti-aging haircare.
This is a liquid crystal cleansing emulsion and skin purifier that removes dirt, makeup, oil and debris in one step; gentle enough even for sensitive skin types.
During 2007, I've tried many a varied exfoliators, microderm and peel products only to return to this product each and every time. Why? Quite simply, it works; it's gentle; it's effective! My almost 40 year old skin has never looked better.
I love this line of skincare; if you've not tried Alchimie Forever, you should treat your skin to this luxury! The Kantic Mask, with its creamy texture and anti-oxidant rich ingredients of blueberries, wild pansies, oats, grapes and vitamin E, truly reduces redness, brightens and hydrates skin to a healthy, refreshing glow.
The ONLY product I've found to actually reduce and diminish lines and wrinkles for the long haul. You can actually see the results of this product upon first application. It's like my miracle wrinkle-reducer! [REN decribes this wonder as a concentrated bio active serum formulated to intensively restore skin's elasticity, firmness and vitality; patented hexapeptide liposomes together with native peptides smooth fine lines and wrinkles; myrrh resin firms, vitamin C brightens skin tone and hyaluronic acid boosts hydration]
Perfect for my combination skin, keeps oil at bay for the entire day yet replenishes and hydrates my skin to a smooth finish - love the botanicals.
Decadent, but gentle enough that my combination skin can enjoy the rich benefits without clogging; renders the skin healthy.
With its varied shades, oil-free formula, lightweight, luminous texture, this is hands down the #1 foundation out there for a true air-brushed looking finish without all the mess and fuss. I get compliments on my skin every time I wear this!
This creamy product covers like nothing else I've used and is surprisingly blendable. At $9.50 a tube (which lasts 4ever), just can't beat it.
A soft, pale yellow powder that reflects light in a most flattering way, illuminating fair to medium complexions with pink undertones, bestows a glow lightening up skin and diminishing imperfections, even redness and dark circles.
I adore how easy these are to apply, for a cat-eye there is nothing better, and the shades the Artliners come in are gorge ... plus, they last all day.
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Surprise, surprise ... as I've gone on about this in a recent post, what more needs to be said. Perfect flush, great formula, long-lasting, mutiple purpose product - love it!
Lancome ~ P.S. Kiss (Peter Som/LE).
This is a fair plumper, but I adore the pen-click packaging, the texture, feel and look of the product on my lips and the pleasant vanilla mint taste, so this is my fave for 2007 - yippee!!!
