Q&A With Merve Samur

Q&A With Merve Samur

We caught up with our in-house Cosmetic Chemist Consultant, Merve Samur, to talk about all things Firming; the inspiration behind the collection, developing the formulas, and her favourite products.

“We’re all about empowering busy, active women with products that are made with scientific, potent formulations while still being gentle and nourishing on the skin and our customers wanted firming products, so we developed this new range in response.”

What was the inspiration behind the collection?

The inspiration behind our collection stemmed from a common oversight in skincare routines: while we often focus on our face as we age, we tend to neglect our body. Similarly, when it comes to moisturising our body, there's a misconception that a basic moisturiser suffices. This isn't true, and that's why we've created this range to prioritise the body, targeting visible fine lines and orange peel skin.
 
We were particularly eager to combine mānuka honey and mānuka oil, both potent ingredients from the same family, to explore their synergistic benefits. Our research revealed that this powerful duo is not only antimicrobial but also soothing and hydrating, so this became the perfect combination for our firming range.

Can you tell us what was involved in developing the products?

Developing ManukaRx Firming Collection products involved extensive research and overcoming several challenges, particularly in sourcing a natural retinal. Fortunately, we partnered with a revolutionary company that developed retinal derived through a biosynthesis process using bacteria. This retinal is as effective as traditional retinol but aligns with ManukaRx’s philosophy of using at least 95% natural or naturally derived ingredients.
 
Our main research was on combining mānuka honey and oil to find the optimal efficacy and blending ratios. We have seen the best results in increased soothing effect, which fits perfectly to our range since our body is exposed to lots of external stress throughout the day.
 
We also collaborated with an outstanding French manufacturer to create a unique active ingredient from Paracress that targets decolletage wrinkles. The results from our consumer survey were astonishing, with significant improvements visible in just 28 days.
 
Additionally, the Firming Body Lotion features a unique extract from Bearberry, known for its skin-firming properties. The survey results were phenomenal, showing marked improvements within the same 28-day period.

Why retinal?

If you are new to retinal, using retinal on alternating days can further minimise the risk of irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or new to retinal products. By giving your skin a break between applications, you allow it to adjust gradually to the potent effects of retinal, leading to better tolerance and sustained results over time.
 
On the other hand, if you have used retinal before and still see a little bit of irritation from time to time but want to maximise its benefits, we recommend a technique known as the "retinal sandwich." This involves layering the retinal product between two layers of moisturiser. Start with a thin layer of your regular moisturiser, followed by the retinal product, and finish with another layer of moisturiser. This method helps to buffer the skin, reducing the potential for irritation while ensuring the retinal is effectively absorbed.

Which product are you the most excited about in this collection?

I will cheat and say all of them. The feedback and the results we have seen from our consumer survey have been the most impressive. I am so proud of what these products can achieve.

Discover the Firming Collection now. 

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