Age is not defined solely by wrinkles and skin elasticity. Recent studies reveal that, worldwide, age spots and uneven skin tone rank among the top 10 beauty and skincare concerns. Pioneering in skin aging science for nearly 15 years, Guerlain Research addresses this global concern with the launch of Abeille Royale Clarify & Repair Cream and Essence.
“A well-healed skin is crucial for ensuring effective and long-lasting brightening action,” says Dr. Frédéric Bonté, Director of Guerlain Research. Guerlain’s innovative dual-action approach corrects pigmentation disorders and skin suppleness to restore the skin’s youthful radiance.
The power of white honey for an even skin tone
In its quest for the world’s most prodigious honeys, Guerlain Research continually expands its knowledge through BeeLab, a unique laboratory focused on three axes: the bee, bee products and their complex compositions, and skin repair. Thanks to their expertise, specialists at this research excellence platform have identified a new treasure from the Hawaiian islands: white honey. Combined with potent derivatives of vitamin C and AHA, white honey is a radiance-activating concentrate that targets most melanogenesis pathways for optimized action on pigmentation disorders.
Endowed with extraordinary brightening properties, the precious white-pearl nectar from the mythical Kiawe tree’s flowers, which grow to exceptional heights thanks to underground waters from volcanoes, is particularly rare. Kiawe white honey is more than 99% monofloral, meaning it comes almost exclusively from the nectar of Kiawe tree flowers—a remarkable feat, considering that bees go where they want, when they want. Besides its protective properties, Beelab scientists have discovered that white honey reduces melanin production at the source of spots, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
Performance: high-level protection and repair
Guerlain Research highlighted the protective and reparative power of white honey on pigmentation marks through a study conducted on the reconstructed melanized epidermis of Chinese volunteers exposed to UVB irradiation. This Ex Vivo test compares the effects of white honey and niacinamide, a well-known synthetic brightening active at 0.1% each (maximum non-cytotoxic dose of niacinamide), on skin radiance and melanin distribution after six days. From this study, the exceptional performance of white honey on skin radiance was evident, outperforming niacinamide. Furthermore, the vitamin C derivatives present in Abeille Royale Clarify & Repair Essence and Cream were meticulously selected to ensure formula stability and easy absorption. The cream contains ascorbyl glucoside, which releases gradually for optimized efficacy. The Essence contains ethyl ascorbic acid, a high-diffusion vitamin C derivative compatible with the AHA peeling formula for instant luminosity with long-lasting results. Vitamin C reduces melanin production responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone and is known as a potent antioxidant that protects cells from external aggressors.
AHA: surface skin rejuvenation
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) are natural acids found in foods. Known for their small molecular weight, glycolic acid allows for significant skin diffusion and high exfoliation efficacy, freeing the skin from dead cells to reveal a fresher and more even complexion. The small size of glycolic acid allows it to better absorb into the skin to achieve its exfoliating properties. It acts on the upper layers of the skin responsible for dullness and promotes cell renewal, reviving the skin’s natural radiance and restoring its youthful, even tone. Glycolic acid, combined with a vitamin C derivative and white honey, helps reduce uneven pigmentation and improve skin tone.
Dynamic Blackbee Repair Technology: the signature essence of Abeille Royale
Inspired by neuroscience, Guerlain Research selects the most powerful active ingredients from the hive to create its pioneering youth skin repair concentrates. At the heart of the Abeille Royale range, BlackBee Repair technology combines the legendary honey of the Black Bee from Ouessant Island in Brittany, an exclusive royal jelly, and three other island honeys from untouched environments—Corsica, France; Ikaria, Greece; and Åland, Finland. Together, they mobilize the skin’s collagen system and amplify its natural self-repair mechanisms. They also triple the binding capacity between epidermal nerve cells and skin cells for increased repair efficacy by 47% in 24 hours and stimulate collagen I and III synthesis by 158% and 77%, respectively, for advanced correction of youth signs.
Step-by-step to radiant skin: essence and cream
The luminous skin ritual begins with the new Abeille Royale Double Clarify & Repair Essence. Combining the power of Dynamic Blackbee Repair Technology with new radiance, the activating concentrate reveals youthful skin light through a unique and comprehensive corrective action on eight skin radiance factors. Guerlain Research has shown that skin radiance is based on a series of parameters that include signs of age and fatigue, such as visible pores, wrinkles, lack of smoothness, firmness, and elasticity, all of which need to be corrected to optimize the instant radiance of youthful skin. Composed of 93% naturally derived ingredients, the formula represents a new achievement in the brand’s research.
Year after year, a lack of firmness and elasticity sets in, as well as age spots that multiply and intensify. The new Abeille Royale anti-spot cream corrects dull skin tone from the first application. The complexion brightens, and day by day, pores are unclogged, spots are reduced, and skin becomes smoother and visibly younger. The cream’s formula combines efficacy, sensory pleasure, and naturalness. Composed of 93% naturally derived ingredients, it combines the smoothness of a cream with the freshness of a gel.
