Rather than in one go, it took three years for Paris-based Sisley to gradually upgrade each Sisleÿa formula, just in time for the 20th anniversary of the anti-ageing range.
Nicolas Chesnier, Sisley's managing director for Asia Pacific.
The reinvention has been named Sisleÿa Intégral Anti-Âge, whereas in 1999 it was launched as Sisleÿa Global Anti-Âge.
"We took the time because every product is important, and needed to be updated because of a better understanding of how epigenetic factors have an impact on the skin," said Nicolas Chesnier, Sisley's managing director for Asia Pacific.
Epigenetics is a science that looks at how external stimuli can lead to potentially heritable changes without altering the DNA sequence, this disturbing its functions and gene expression.
Epigenetic processes may be influenced by environment and lifestyle, and this had Sisley rethinking its anti-ageing approach.
"Genetic, environmental and behavioural factors contribute to the visible signs of ageing. So we considered all three dimensions in developing the new formulas," said Chesnier. "We also raised awareness of how the skin can be affected by behavioural ageing."
The behavioural dimension is linked to lifestyle, which affects the skin's appearance and general health. Eating and working habits, lack of exercise and sleep, as well as stress and other factors can deregulate the biological life cycle of cells.
"You can do a freestyle or a butterfly stroke but it doesn't get you anywhere, since you're not in a swimming pool," he said. "Likewise, cells can be disoriented, and we need to help them function properly so that that skin protects itself during the day and changes to repair mode at night -- doing the right thing at the right time according to chronobiology."
Besides biorhythm, cellular energy and longevity are important for optimal skin function, whereas components such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid need to be adequate in order to maintain the skin structure.
A loss in structural proteins comes naturally due to ageing. Negative behavioural factors may also play a role in declining levels of collagen, by silencing its production according to an epigenetic concept.
Sisleÿa skincare products were developed to help restart natural mechanisms and optimise the biological life cycle through ingredients such as soy peptide, blue agave yeast and porcelain cacao extracts featured in the new treatment for wrinkles.
The anti-wrinkle serum is the fourth reformulation after the French company released Sisleÿa Intégral Anti-Âge face cream in 2016, eye and lip contour cream in 2017, and firming serum in 2018.
"In a fast-paced world, where people find it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle, applying skincare is a kind of compensation for the effects of behavioural ageing," Chesnier said.
