Known for its unique methodology and results-driven personalised approach, French skincare brand Biologique Recherche has something of a cult following among its discerning clientele, who love the highly customised solutions that cater to individual needs. The company has spent the past 45 years developing its rigorous methodology, investing in R&D to bring the most cutting-edge products to market.

Now, Biologique Recherche has drawn on its decades of skin biology expertise to create its first collection designed specifically for those with intolerant skin – skin that goes beyond just being sensitive and overreacts with an inflammatory response.

The power of Skin Instants
In the world of Biologique Recherche, these overreactions are known as Intolerant Skin Instants – these clients have skin that needs to be soothed and rebuilt, often because they’re coping with things such as cancer treatment, atopic dermatitis or medical-aesthetic treatment.

Biologique Recherche’s new Toleskin range has been created specifically for Intolerant Skin Instants, and includes supplements, topical products and rituals, so it addresses problems from the inside out.

“We’ve noticed increasing numbers of people reporting that they suffer from sensitive skin – many are even having reactions to products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin,” says Laure Bouscharain, head of R&D for Biologique Recherche. “One reason for this is that our world is becoming more and more sterilised. The human immune system needs to express itself, or it will break out against otherwise harmless substances that it comes into contact with. In addition, many surfactants found in soap products can also damage the skin barrier, making it more permeable and susceptible to irritants.

“We’ve identified the factors that lead to intolerant skin,” says Bouscharain. “There’s often a hereditary link – more than half of children with atopic dermatitis have a first-degree relative who also suffers from it – and the physical structure of this skin type makes it particularly sensitive to external stress factors such as UV radiation or pollution. This skin type is healthy but fragile, and will react strongly when it’s overwhelmed.

“We’ve designed products that relieve intolerance and tackle its causes in depth, restoring the skin barrier, rebalancing the skin microbiota, and reducing redness, roughness and inflammation.”

Detailed evaluation
The personalised Biologique Recherche programme begins with a ‘Skin Instant’ measurement session in which highly trained skin professionals assess the state of the skin with the help of the Skin Instant Lab – a medical device that can measure moisture content, transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, melanin and sebum content – and then diagnose and prescribe products and treatments. The evaluation is backed by a visual analysis, photographs and a dermo-cosmetic questionnaire, as well as a cosmetological evaluation of the skin by expert therapists from Biologique Recherche.

Toleskin spa treatments incorporate manual techniques that are adapted to hyper-sensitive skin, including drainage to reduce inflammatory fluid retention, use of acupressure points, no rubbing of the skin, and relaxation to bring down overall stress levels. As with all Biologique Recherche product lines, recommendations and treatment protocols are personalised for each client, and the therapist will determine whether to use the full range, or only certain products, depending on how the skin will tolerate them.

“Biologique Recherche is a brand that’s primarily focused on performance,” explains Bouscharain. “We listen closely to our customers’ feedback, and we have strong ties to the medical world. With increasing numbers of people reporting intolerant skin, we knew it was time to create products and treatments targeting ultra-sensitive skin types. Now, if you have a client with hyper-sensitive skin, we have a treatment range that you can use to help them.”

More: www.biologique-recherche.com