La Prairie director on ethical caviar sourcing, audacious Swiss science—and what makes their products so premium
For more than 30 years, Swiss skincare brand La Prairie has been neatly poised at the intersection of luxury and sustainability—and the brand’s new Skin Caviar Liquid Lift cements this position even more. To mark the launch of this product, Tatler sat down with Dr Jacqueline Hill, the brand’s director of strategic innovation and science, to understand La Prairie’s caviar science, conservation efforts to protect endangered wild sturgeon and what sets it apart from other premium skincare houses.
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La Prairie hosted an exclusive evening at Le B. restaurant in New York to celebrate its Skin Caviar Liquid Lift (Photo: Instagram / @laprairie)
La Prairie is known for using caviar in skincare. How exactly do you harness its benefits?La Prairie has worked with caviar for more than 30 years. Over this time, we have developed different caviar derivatives with complementary actions, and we have studied the benefits in vitro (laboratory tests on skin cells), ex vivo (laboratory tests on skin explants) and in vivo (clinical studies on the benefits of different forms of caviar).
Our proprietary caviar ingredients include caviar premier, which has lipids, proteins and marine DNA on top of caviar extract; caviar absolute, which is a highly concentrated form of caviar; and caviar micro-nutrients, a blend of more than 300 different natural nutrients. For example, the newly launched reformulated La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift is powered by all three of the above proprietary ingredients, taking the skincare game to the next level.
What measures do you take to ensure sustainable sourcing of caviar?Set against the shores of the Swiss Riviera, La Prairie cherishes its connection to nature and takes steps to preserve resources for future generations. We use 100 per cent Swiss-farmed caviar while supporting conservation efforts to protect endangered wild sturgeon [from which caviar is traditionally sourced]. Together with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, we work to safeguard these precious fish and their natural habitat. We have also partnered with the World Sturgeon Conservation Society and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council to develop a responsible farming standard. This addresses environmental, ethical and social issues, ensuring a healthy habitat for sturgeon.
La Prairie products are priced higher than many other skincare options on the market. Could you share what sets them apart and justifies the premium price?La Prairie is the ultimate paragon of audacious Swiss science. Each of our skincare collection contain rare, highly potent and precious ingredients, crafted in exquisite formulations and sublime jar designs.
This combination of advanced technology, premium ingredients and luxurious presentation sets La Prairie apart in the market, ensuring that our customers receive a truly unparalleled skincare experience.
Tell us about the new La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift. The La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift contains a purified fraction of natural branched polyoses (very high molecular weight complex sugars) obtained from oats. This oat extract acts as a tensing agent [which can give the effect of] immediate tightening. Once applied to the skin, adheres to its surface and forms a network [that can have a smoothening effect] the skin.
The new Skin Caviar Liquid Lift also has caviar micro-nutrients that can help support skin’s metabolism.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift is the latest hero product from the Swiss brand
When La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift claims to ‘lift’, how much lifting are we talking about and is it more of a gradual nourishing process than an immediate Botox-like ‘lift’?Our clinical study of Skin Caviar Liquid Lift showed the lifting. Lower face contours of the jawline were lifted by 1 cubic centimetre after 8 weeks. This is due to a gradual nourishing and stimulating process.
After 15 minutes, a visible lift was observed by 72 per cent of the panellists in a self-assessment questionnaire. This is due to the immediate tensing effect of the natural branched polyoses from oats.
What’s in the pipeline for La Prairie?We aim to remain pioneers in lifting and firming skincare and continue to explore the rich possibilities offered by caviar. We are conducting research on the different aspects of skin biology.
We foresee interesting new developments for the future and hope to continue to surprise and delight our clients.
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