BEAUTY is nice, sure, but if you go with the credo of Neal’s Yard Remedies, what can really brighten up your face is a dose of tranquility and doing good in this world.
The UK-based company recently released its Frankincense Intense Lift Eye Cream, which promises to make the eye area firmer and brighter and “more radiant” in as little as four weeks, while use of the product for six weeks promises to reduce wrinkles, dark circles, and eye bags. This conclusion came after clinical consumer trials on 100 women over a six-week period.
Gloria Yuan, International Trainer for Neal’s Yard, pointed to chunks of frankincense resin during the launch earlier this month at the Grand Hyatt Manila. Frankincense resin, extracted from trees of the Burseraceae family, have been used since ancient times for a multitude of purposes. Notably, it has been used as an incense for sacred rituals (its name comes from the Old French for “high quality incense”). It was one of the three legendary gifts given to Jesus Christ when he was born, along with gold and myrrh. In aromatherapy, it is believed to simultaneously calm and alert the mind, bringing one’s consciousness to a higher state — as fits its purpose in masses and other spiritual activities.
As for its skincare properties, Ms. Yuan pointed out that normally, essential oils extracted from the resin are used in beauty products, but an innovation from Neal’s Yard also extracted compounds from the resin itself. Polyphenols and other antioxidants present in the resin are used in the Lift Eye Cream, with the effect of reducing skin inflammation and helping reduce the oxidation process.
Ms. Yuan said that the company works under the tenets of “do good, feel good, and look good.” We’ve covered looking good, but the company does good in the world by collecting its frankincence resin fairly from sources in the Middle East, as well as being certified organic (its face cream indicates that it’s 75% organic), so no harmful waste products are pumped out to the surrounding environment. Plus, very little potentially harmful chemicals go into your skin.
And as for feeling good? If fair sourcing and helping the environment in your own little way hasn’t helped, maybe this will. We asked Ms. Yuan if the aromatherapy benefits of tranquility from inhaling frankincense are still present in the cream, and she said, “Of course! Definitely.” She advised that as you rub the cream on your face, take a minute to cup your hands to your face to take deep breaths.
Just maybe, a more peaceful you will look back from the mirror. — Joseph L. Garcia
