Beauty tips: Breathe deep for beauty

In launching its new skin care, SkinErgetic, Biotherm teamed up with David Servan-Schreiber, a French physicist and neuroscientist to offer advice on maintaining overall energy–and to give the challenge of maintaining healthy skin a wider context than simply applying a (helpful) cream.

SkinErgetic serum (which, intriguingly, contains broccoli sprout extract as an antioxidant) is for women 30 to 40 who are trying to ‘do it all’ at full steam, and whose skin may suffer the consequences. That age group has needs that are beyond a basic moisturizer but perhaps not for anti-aging products.

It’s not unusual these days for cosmetic companies to have renowned academics like Servan-Schreiber helping to bring lifestyle expertise to the pursuit of healthy skin. In this instance, Biotherm released a broadsheet by Servan-Schreiber about how to keep your energy up as you age.  A cancer survivor, he believes in the fatigue- and stress-fighting benefits of deep breathing, for example.

It ‘deeply restores your internal rhythms and calms you down,’ he says. ‘In only three weeks you’ll begin to see the changes in yourself.’

For five minutes, twice a day, inhale deeply through your nose for five seconds, and then exhale for five seconds.

‘I know it seems like nothing,’ says Servan-Schreiber, ‘ but taking a series of long deep breaths for five minutes actually requires real concentration. Especially when you first start doing it.’

He also sings the benefits of cooking with anti-fatigue foods and ingredients, such as turmeric. ‘which is full of antioxidants. If you find it too bitter, you can always add a little acacia honey.’

Fun fact:
Broccoli sprout extract contains a compound called sulphoraphane.It’s not stable’so it’s formulated in a capsule that is released when you first activate the dispenser mechanism of the serum.