THE cutting-edge technique of gene therapy, originally developed for medical treatment of hereditary diseases, is now the secret weapon behind several new beauty products launched in Singapore.

Their promise: To delay ageing by stimulating genetic activity in the skin, such as cell renewal.

The products typically contain active ingredients derived from sea plankton and yeast, which improve skin luminosity and suppleness.

Some borrow the delivery mechanisms used in gene therapy to deliver anti-ageing ingredients to the skin.

Three skincare brands, Biotherm, Lancome and Lancaster, have each launched products that claim to stimulate cell renewal for that youthful glow.

Biotherm’s Skin Vivo range will be launched today, while Lancome’s Genefique was unveiled last month. Lancaster’s Retinology debuted in May.

Skin Vivo, a skincare line that consists of a serum, a day cream, an eye gel and a lotion, contains a sea plankton-derived active ingredient and a candle- bush plant extract.

A 2006 study by Biotherm’s biologists found that the sea plankton-derived active ingredient stimulates the production of four human genes used in skin regeneration and self-repair.

The candle-bush plant extract is also said to boost skin cellular regeneration.

Lancome’s Genefique contains a yeast-derived lipid – a fatty acid already present in our skin – that stimulates the production of certain skin proteins abundant in our youth, such as keratin 6B, thus enhancing skin evenness, elasticity and firmness.

Lancaster’s Retinology, on the other hand, uses a delivery system used in gene therapy to deposit retinol directly in the skin’s surface to combat ageing. Retinol is a form of vitamin A and is effective for preventing wrinkles.

According to Dr Lim Bing, senior director of biology at the Genome Institute of Singapore, topically applied skincare products can have an effect on the skin’s cellular activity.

He said: “Every cell has a sensor to its environment called a receptor. It is possible for an ingredient in skincare products to send a signal to the receptors of skin cells to produce youth proteins.”

Industry players believe that the future of skincare will be shaped by genetic research.

However, women who hope to beat ageing need to moderate their expectations, said Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of aesthetics practice The Sloane Clinic.

“For the products to make significant changes, they would have to penetrate the skin deeply,” she said.

	LANCOME GENEFIQUE MEANT to be “step zero” in your skincare routine, Genefique is the product you smooth onto your face straight after cleansing and before applying serum. Two active ingredients in the product – a yeast-derived skin lipid (an essential component of living cells) and a good bacterium called biolysat – work together to stimulate the production of vital proteins responsible for the skin’s firmness, such as keratin 6B. Price: $170 Available at: Lancome counters at department stores, including Tangs Orchard, Robinsons Centrepoint and Robinsons Raffles City.
	BIOTHERM SKIN VIVO THE range consists of four products: serum, day cream, eye gel and lotion.  Active ingredients derived from sea thermal plankton and candle bush-plant leaves send signals to skin cells to rejuvenate themselves. Another key ingredient, Reverserol SV – the aqueous extract of candle-tree leaves cultivated in France and Burkina Faso in Africa – protects the skin from damaging UVB rays. Prices: Anti-Age Reversive Serum ($145); Anti-Age Fundamental Day Cream ($120); Anti-Age Reversive Eye Area Gel ($85); Anti-Age Reversive Lotion ($69) Available at: Biotherm counters at department stores, including Isetan Orchard and Tangs Orchard.
	LANCASTER RETINOLOGY TOTAL AGE SOLUTION RETINOLOGY is inspired by gene therapy used in medical technology to deliver active ingredients to targeted cells. This is how it works: A positively-charged carrier delivers retinol directly to the negativelycharged skin-cell surface, to combat ageing. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and an effective anti-wrinkle ingredient. Contained in an airtight pump bottle to ensure longer shelf-life, the cream can be used in place of your regular moisturiser. Price: $138 (30ml); $198 (50ml) Available at: Lancaster counters at department stores, including Tangs Orchard, Tangs VivoCity, Metro Paragon and OG.