French cosmetics company L’Occitane en Provence is introducing a new line of beauty products harnessing the natural properties of the angelica plant.
The new Angelique collection includes a gentle cleanser that removes make-up without drying skin, a hydrating toner and a light gel for around the eyes to reduce puffiness and smooth wrinkles.
Angelica archangelica is a tall plant native to northern Europe. By the medieval period, it had been introduced into France where it was used for its medicinal and herbal properties. Now cultivated around the world, angelica grows quickly because of its ability to self-hydrate.
And it’s these hydrating properties that have brought the plant to the attention of researchers at the cosmetics company.
Laboratory tests have shown that angelica water made from the plant can increase the skin’s moisture by stimulating the creation of aquaporins-3 – naturally-occurring channels that allow water to flow through cell membranes. Angelica water can increase the synthesis of these aquaporins – which carry moisture from the dermis to the epidermis – by up to 39 percent.
The company’s new cosmetics line combines angelica water and angelica essential oil to create a mixture that quickly improves skin hydration and vitality. In a survey, 100 percent of women said that the eye area was immediately refreshed after use, while 96 percent found it less puffy and 92 percent said it appeared smoother.