The ability to differentiate between the positive and negative in life is instinctual but not always easy to follow. Trusting your gut is essential, and, it turns out, that sense of intuition is also present in the skin. It’s an intrinsically powerful characteristic that’s being leveraged by Clé de Peau, the Japanese beauty brand known around the world as the key to unlocking skin’s radiant potential.
With its new Key Radiance Care series, Clé de Peau unleashes more than 40 years of research on what it calls “intelligent skin care.” Part of the brand’s Skin Intelligence concept is the skin’s natural ability to distinguish between positive and negative stimuli (environmental pollution, for example), a sense of discernment that helps it achieve and maintain its ideal function. Each product in the Key Radiance Care series was designed to support that process through advanced formulas enriched with ingredients such as radiant lily extract, a botanical that enhances moisture levels and skin barrier recovery.
Clé de Peau’s three-part system begins with The Serum, an essential first step and one of its hero icons housed in its signature iridescent flaçon. Created following the discovery that certain proteins in the outermost layer of the skin help maintain the appearance of youthfulness, The Serum uses lemon myrtle extract to help keep those proteins in place and improve texture and smoothness.
At the heart of the collection are two hydrating lotions reformulated to help skin become even more resistant to dryness. The Hydro-Softening Essence Lotion and Hydro-Clarifying Essence Lotion now feature fortified amino ferment derived from rice koji, a traditional Japanese ingredient loaded with amino acids that’s made by combining steamed rice and koji mould, a prized culinary ingredient in Japan.
To best transform this superfood into a suitable formula for skin care, Clé de Peau tapped the expertise of Akita Konno Co., a heritage microbial starter manufacturer with more than 110 years of experience growing koji mould, to optimize the combination of rice koji rich in amino acids. The formula was then tested and refined by sake company Dewatsuru Brewery, resulting in Clé de Peau’s a one-of-a-kind skin-approved blend.
The rice koji works with the brand’s proprietary NutriHydro-Stock Technology to target moisture and tone, helping to soothe roughness and dryness for a hypermoisturized glow. Each lotion was created with needs of a certain skin type in mind. Formulated with rosemary leaf extract, the Hydro-Softening Essence Lotion calms and stabilizes delicate skin, while the Hydro-Clarifying Essence Lotion contains witch hazel leaf extract to clarify and reduce excess sebum in oilier complexions.
Clé de Peau tapped the expertise of Akita Konno Co., a heritage microbial starter manufacturer with more than 110 years of experience growing koji mould, to optimize the combination of rice koji rich in amino acids.
The products in the final phase—the updated Protective Day Emulsion, Advanced Protective Day Cream, Intensive Night Emulsion, and Advanced Intensive Night Cream—are designed to work with the circadian rhythm. This 24-hour internal cycle regulates the biological processes of all our organs, including the skin. The skin’s rhythms are particularly influenced by genes in the epidermal and dermal cells, some of which are most active during the day, preserving firmness and elasticity, while others peak overnight as skin regenerates. Clé de Peau targets these genes present in the dermal fibrobasts, tailoring each formula to support skin’s natural activities during the day and night.
Whether manifesting personal life goals or radiant skin, consistency is key to achieving optimal results. That’s why Clé de Peau has revamped its Key Radiance Care cotton pads to optimize the delivery of skin-care ingredients. They’re now made with organic silk and cotton, the latter of which is produced in the Hiroshima Prefecture, a region that has been leading the way in cosmetic cotton production for more than 60 years. The result is a cosmetic pad that feels like a silk scarf.
That spirit of capturing positive energy is also present in the brand’s much-anticipated Dreams Express Holiday Collection. Each of the seven products in the series features a moody, ethereal illustration by French artist Stéphane Kiehl of an otherworldly creature—from jewel-toned hummingbirds and peacocks to whales and dragons—that accompanies the story of a young heroine who travels aboard the Dreams Express on a journey of self-discovery. Encompassing skin care (a serum and night cream) and cosmetics (a lipstick, eyeshadow quad, highlighter, primer, and foundation), the collection is a gorgeous expression of self-worth and holiday glow.
Aligning a positive mindset with desired outcomes in life applies equally to caring for the skin and a consistent skin-care routine. With Clé de Peau’s new Key Radiance series, consider the lineup a simple skin-care manifestation: set your goals, trust the process, and watch your radiance shine through.
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