Plant extracts renew and build skin texture

A NUMBER of cosmetic companies are gathering botanical specimens from various countries to distil into new elixirs of youth.

Helena Rubinstein has just launched a cream called R-Vincaline. It serves three purposes: renewal, rejuvenation and renovation.

Its active ingredients were developed from the seed of the periwinkle from Madagascar.

'The flower and branches of this plant have been widely used in dermatology for skin allergies and some types of cancer,' said brand manager Doris Li.

However, this is the first time this powerful stimulant has been used in cosmetology.

'Our laboratory has succeeded in extracting an active ingredient called vincaline from the seed of the plant,' Ms Li said.