Anti-ageing secrets from the planet’s healthiest places

What’s the secret to leading a long, healthy life? If you live on the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, on the Greek island of Ikaria or on the Italian island of Sardinia, your odds of living to see 100 are higher than people living elsewhere. So what makes these so-called blue zones such hot-beds for longevity?

Luxury brand Chanel set out for answers, cross-referencing the latest studies on centenarians with what it already knows about ageing. The result: Blue Serum, a product that is said to improve the longevity of skin cells, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Ingredients sourced from these time-defying areas include Sardinian olive oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and powerful antioxidants; Greek lentisk, collected from a shrub and known for its regenerating power; and Costa Rican green coffee, which is also rich in antioxidants. Combined in one serum, these ingredients are said to possess the power to make skin appear smoother, firmer and, of course, younger.

“What makes these so-called blue zones such hot-beds for longevity?”

Chanel isn’t alone in its pursuit of the fountain of youth. The Eternalixir Skin-Volumizing oil serum by Bare Minerals uses a natural blend of evening primrose oil, plantain leaf extract, lady’s slipper orchid extract and lavender to deliver a soothing facelift for more radiant and hydrated skin.

A unique product by Fresh – Black Tea Firming Corset Cream – also uses a straight-from-nature formula containing black tea and kombucha with blackberry leaf and lychee seed extracts. When applied to the face and neck, this “immortal elixir” is said to prevent the production of wrinkle-causing factors by more than 50 percent.

Edelweiss – a mountain flower and the main ingredient of the Prodigy Reversis Eye surconcentrate by Helena Rubinstein – was selected for its antioxidants and ability to reinforce cell membranes. Another natural ingredient that is becoming more popular in the beauty world is red ginseng. The plant’s skin-rejuvenating powers are contained in the Timetreasure Renovating Eye serum by South Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo – and it comes with a uniquely shaped golden eye care massager to brighten the skin around the eyes.

Text: Emily Petsko