Behind Weleda’s most “scientifically advanced innovation in 100 years”

Weleda has just launched two new facial skin care ranges that the brand has dubbed its most “scientifically advanced innovation in 100 years.”

These ranges are regenerating Pomegranate & Maca Peptides Firming Face Care, which is “clinically proven to slow down the ageing effects on the skin, protecting from the negative oxidative effect of blue light exposure,” according to the brand.  

And Rejuvenating Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Contouring Face Care, which is made with a patent-pending, natural Collagen+ Active Complex “to boost collagen, reduce deep wrinkles, and bring greater definition to facial contours.”

All products have delivered strong efficacy results in clinical trials and are also NATRUE-certified, vegan, and only use ethically sourced ingredients that are UEBT-certified sustainable.​

Natural peptides from maca root​

The Pomegranate & Maca Peptides Firming range, which features four products, has blended antioxidant organic pomegranate seed oil with natural peptides derived from organic Peruvian maca root.

Meanwhile, the Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Contouring range also features four products and is made with extract of Centella asiatica.​

Weleda highlighted that this range helped with “reducing the impact of menopausal changes.”

It’s ‘Collagen+ Active Complex’ has been shown to protect against collagen loss by 50% and increase collagen by 60% - based on in-vitro collagen testing on fibroblasts (supported by measurement of elasticity in the skin), according to the brand.

The blue gentian and edelweiss are organically cultivated in the Swiss Alps. Edelweiss is rich in antioxidants, and contains leontopodic acid and phenol acid to help prevent and reduce wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier, said the brand.

The blue gentian features anthocyanins to “activate the skin metabolism, bringing structure, rejuvenation and reintegration to the skin’s natural processes, contributing to skin firmness.”

Its high concentration of anthocyanins protects against light-induced skin ageing and stimulate cellular regeneration. The brand also highlighted that “bitter compounds such as iridoids support the skin’s essential keratinisation process, also strengthening the skin barrier function.”

Finding actives with high efficacy from natural origin ​

Weleda UK’s MD Jayn Sterland shared that the brand had been working on these ranges for four years, from the initial ingredients research to the final products.

“The main challenge was to find active ingredients with high efficacy, but from natural origin, and ideally from organic cultivation,” she explained.

“What we found is, in addition to our established ‘lead plant’ pomegranate, organically grown maca, blue gentian, edelweiss and olive. The extracts from olive leaves and Centella asiatica​ have been developed in our Swiss laboratories and are made in our production facilities situated at our medicinal herbal garden in Germany.”

Sterland explained that Weleda has combined a century of understanding and knowledge with these newly developed, highly effective ingredients.

“For the new Pomegranate & Maca Peptides Face Care we have combined our traditionally used pomegranate oil, which is prized for its antioxidative properties, with natural peptides derived from maca root,” she explained.

“The maca peptides are scientifically proven to improve various signs of ageing, with benefits such as reducing lines and wrinkles or increasing skin elasticity and radiance.”

Sterland also highlighted that many peptide substances used in cosmetics are produced synthetically, so this was a true USP for this range.

“In our search for a natural, plant-based alternative to such synthetically produced substances, we came across maca peptides, which met our requirements for natural origin, and optimally enhance the positive effects on premature skin ageing of our pomegranate oil,” she shared.

“For the new Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Face Care, we have combined extracts from these two alpine plants with the well-known extract from Centella asiatica.​ Weleda has shown, in vitro, that the complex of these three plants can increase collagen-1 content in cell cultures of fibroblasts,” said Sterland.