The word ‘iconic’ can be a tad overused to describe almost anything and everything in pop culture and therefore, its inherent meaning can be lost when it is used as an adjective. But once in a while, there are simply no other words to describe that je nais sais quoi air about a person; examples being Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly or even Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. They embody that elusive aura of timelessness that words cannot even begin to express their unique appeal. Hail them as an icon and almost everyone will be quick to agree.  

The same applies when it comes to the luxury industry; every brand aspires to have its products perceived as the Audrey or Grace of its market. The beauty industry is no different, especially when it comes to skincare. The pursuit for youthful, flawless skin is an enduring one, and it takes a product of special substance and value to be able to remain embedded at the forefront of consumer consciousness in the passing of time. Let’s face it, there are so many skincare products being introduced every year in a saturated market, offering choices that will befuddle even the savviest of shoppers. Yet from these selections it is easy to identify the classic favourites – the cream of the crop, so to speak – that a consumer can pick out from the store knowing that they have chosen the best of the best in the market.

2000s: An Icon of Youth 

Lancôme introduced its Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate in 2009. A result from the brand’s extensive research on the fields of genomics and proteomics, this product is well on its way on achieving cult status, as response to the product proved to be enthusiastic. Described as the little black bottle, it is now one of Lancôme’s bestsellers and the winner of over 130 international awards. Despite being around in the industry for only three years, it is already hailed as one of the brand’s most iconic skincare products to date – a process that normally takes decades to attain. Like its name promises, Génifique promises to turn back the clock of ageing for smoother and younger skin as a result.

The success of Génifique is now followed up with the launch of Advanced Génifique, in which Lancôme pioneers a multi-OMICS approach. More than 25,000 genes and 1,000 proteins were studied and more than six million data was generated, before the researchers identified the key biological functions of skin youth. Advanced Génifique is a serum scientifically proven to effectively address 10 visual and tactile signs that characterise youthful skin. Its formula benefits from Lancôme’s latest research discoveries and is enriched with a biotechnology-derived ingredient that works in perfect harmony with the skin. 

On top of that, it has a self-loading dropper to precisely deliver the targeted results. With all these new improvements, it is clear this advanced version of a celebrated serum is well on its way to be as iconic as its famous predecessor. 

1980s: Deluxe Darling

Originating in 1982, Clé de Peau Beauté is a luxurious Japanese beauty brand with an elegant French name that means “the key to beautiful skin”. Clé de Peau Beauté fuses the most sophisticated technologies and refined aesthetics to create cosmetic and skincare products that have become synonymous with premium indulgence. The renowned crowning jewel of its skincare collection, La Crème is an example of Clé de Peau Beauté’s quest for timelessly beautiful skin.

An exquisite, high-performance and luxurious revitalising product, La Crème contains an exclusive ‘illuminating complex’, a special ingredient that manages the life of skin cells since their birth. Featuring elements from natural silk and pearl – ingredients known for their lustrous beauty – this illuminating complex promotes the creation of healthier and more translucent cells with an ideal nanostructure, therefore letting the true radiance of the skin shine through effortlessly and naturally. It eliminates cellular stress and restores balance to the skin as well. La Crème’s standing in the industry was further strengthened recently when dewy-faced beauty Amanda Seyfried graced its advertising campaigns as its face.

1970s: Ethereal Essence

In the 1970s, a scientist in Japan noticed the soft and youthful hands of older women working in a Japanese saké brewery despite their aged and tired appearances. It took years of research involving over 350 kinds of yeast strains before SK-II discovered a unique strain that produces an ingredient that was effective on skin. SK-II Pitera is a metabolic solution generated in the fermentation process of a unique strain of yeast. This yeast ferment filtrate has been proven in laboratory tests to increase the metabolism of skin cells. This, in turn, restores the skin’s renewal cycle.

The discovery of Pitera led to the creation of SK-II’s first skincare product, the Facial Treatment Essence. It contains more than 90 per cent Pitera, the highest among the entire SK-II skincare range, and it is the exclusive ingredient in every SK-II product. It balances the skin’s pH and sebum secretion, so oily and dry areas are properly moisturised. To date, the seven known benefits of Pitera are it helps adjust the skin’s rhythm, replenishes and retains moisture, tones the skin texture, adjusts the pH level of the skin, controls the generation of dark spots, soothes sunburned skin and helps control the secretion of sebum. All these benefits have helped turned SK-II Facial Treatment Essence as an all-time beloved beauty product around the world.

 

1950s: Classic Cream of Luxury

In 1958, Mrs Estée Lauder was reportedly responsible for introducing the luxury cream category into the consumer market when she debuted the original Re-Nutriv Crème for $115 when the average price for moisturiser at the time was $10. A woman ahead of her times, she knew that every woman would be willing to pay for a product that boasts of superior science and technology. “Costly, yes, but how rewarding,” she declared. Until today the Re-Nutriv Crème is a symbol of the brand’s commitment to a skincare line that will only deliver exceptional results.

The creation of the original Re-Nutriv Crème was initially for her own delicate skin, but she saw its potential to do more for the women of her time. The Estée Lauder brand built on this heritage by introducing the new Re-Nutriv Intensive Age-Renewal Collection. This collection, including the Re-Nutriv Intensive Age-Renewal crème and eye crème, contains an exclusive new RVF-10 cell boosting technology to dramatically reduce the look of current lines and help fight the ageing factors leading to wrinkles, as well as other pure and precious ingredients. All these technological advancements will further elevate the Re-Nutriv crème’s stature in the beauty industry.