The way we see it, the beauty sphere is on the precipice of experiencing something completely life-altering. It kicks off with a highly-immersive pop-up situated inside one of the busiest malls along Orchard Road, aptly titled ‘The Gift’. The entrance is awash in shades of red, accompanied by a stunning visual tableau of one of the catalysts behind this monumental development. “What you see here is camellia japonica,” a Shiseido representative shares, her voice dropping into a reverent whisper as she escorts me further within the space. A bevy of scarlet flowers blooms before my eyes, conveyed via a series of fluid pulsing and withdrawing motions that is reminiscent of someone drawing breath. New life coming into fruition, and the birth of the brand’s latest game-changing launch. Meet: the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum.
New, improved, and invincible
All things considered, it’s fair to say that Shiseido didn’t spark a revolution by chance. To start, a strong foundational base was in place. The original Ultimune collection—first launched in 2014—already encompassed all the trappings of success, with it widely regarded as a cult-favourite amongst skincare savants due to its skin-reparative and radiance-granting capabilities. What sets this newest rendition apart, however, is two key discoveries: the role of immunity cells in relation to an individual’s complexion, as well as the Power Fermented Camellia+.
“Research was conducted at Shiseido’s MIRAI Technology Institute, which includes complex cellular studies and long-term clinical trials,” explains Dr Hasegawa, researcher at Shiseido. “It led to the discovery of something we call Memory T Cells. Think of them, essentially, as specialised immune cells. They have the ability to memorise, sense out, and abolish ageing as well as aged skin cells entirely.”
Going off this statement alone, it seems possible for Memory T Cells to do away with the notion of skin ageing entirely; a statement of which Shiseido does not deny. The term ‘slow ageing’ was then dubbed by the Japanese corporation, a phrase reflective of the glacial-like pace as to which an individual’s complexion wears down once the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum is in the picture—if at all.
Say it with flowers
Working in tandem with Memory T Cells is the camellia japonica, a bloom native to Gotoh Island. These resilient flowers are revered for their ability to persevere despite the volume of sea water it is regularly exposed to, and its fusing with cutting-edge bio-fermentation technology is what led to the conception of Power Fermented Camellia+. The ingredient is both reactive and preventative by nature, where it banishes visible signs of ageing in the vein of wrinkles, fine lines, and more while also safeguarding skin even before signs of ageing begin.
“The Power Fermented Camellia+ comprises 14 different amino acids, and is made from the remains of camellia seeds that are pressed for their oil and fermented through a bio-fermentation process,” Dr Hasegawa reports. “This one-of-a-kind technique is what bolsters the power of the amino acids, allowing it to be easily absorbed into skin cells to activate a whole host of benefits such as accelerated wound healing, amplified collagen production, and more.”
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Newly-appointed Shiseido brand ambassador, Win Metawin, is a living testament of the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum’s potency. The renowned Thai actor made an appearance at the pop-up, sporting an ethereal glow that he credits to an amalgamation of factors. “I use the Ultimune Power Infusing Serum day and night, and I find that this product—as well as a combination of regular exercise, staying hydrated, and good sleep—ensures my skin stays in an optimal state,” he muses. “I’d really recommend everyone to try this product if they haven’t yet.”
And while everyone’s definition of an ideal skin state is sure to differ, the picture both Metawin and Shiseido paints brims with promise: crystal-clear, bright, and unfettered by the limitations of age. That is the dream.
