Aesop not only creates some of the most elevated formulations we have encountered – products destined to become part of long-term routines – but it’s also a brand with a conscience, one for which storytelling remains closely embedded in the way it communicates.
These are just some of the reasons Aesop has earned its place as a Certified B Corporation, and its new Resolute Facial Concentrate marks a notable new development for the Melbourne-founded brand. Bringing together a love of botanical science, a spirit of thorough research, and a commitment to sensorial gratification, Aesop enters a new era with its first retinoid formulation – further affirming its standing as one of the world’s most innovative names in skincare.
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A Retinoid Years In The Making
The inspiration behind Resolute Facial Concentrate is truly compelling. For over a decade, Aesop’s Director of R&D, Samy Hamada, and his team pursued the perfect retinoid – one that could harness the transformative benefits of Vitamin A while maintaining optimal efficacy and minimal irritation. The breakthrough came with Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), an advanced alternative that works in concert with the skin rather than against it.
‘While others have sought to intensify the effects of Vitamin A derivatives in products, our approach aimed to harness their benefits while maintaining optimal efficacy, tolerability and sensorial pleasure,’ Hamada explains. ‘The ideal Retinoid, in our view, is one that works in concert with the skin and supports its evolving needs, avoiding disruptions to its delicate balance.’
What’s Inside Resolute Facial Concentrate
Resolute Facial Concentrate is centred around HPR, enhanced with a generous dose of barrier-reinforcing Squalane and a suite of botanical extracts including Sea Fennel and Cedar Atlas. This sumptuous oil-serum texture is readily absorbed by the skin, creating a formulation that strengthens, smooths, and supports.
Suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin, users can expect stronger, softer, and more even skin over time as the formulation works to sustain the skin’s natural renewal cycle – a process that naturally slows with age.
What First-Time Retinoid Users Should Know
Resolute Facial Concentrate arrives in 25mL (HKD$720) and 60mL (HKD$1,355) sizes. For those new to retinoids, Aesop recommends a gradual introduction, beginning with application every third night and slowly increasing frequency as the skin builds tolerance. Whether used at dusk or dawn, the concentrate should always be complemented by a high-factor sunscreen, as any Vitamin A formulation heightens sensitivity to UV rays.
Skincare That Respects Time
What truly sets Aesop apart is their approach to skincare as a journey rather than a quick fix. While some brands claim to ‘turn back the clock,’ Aesop approaches the natural ageing process with sobriety, reverence, and subtlety. Resolute Facial Concentrate is formulated to smooth and strengthen – maintaining the skin’s optimum condition as time passes, caring for it through its inevitable biological evolutions.
This is skincare with a conscience, rooted in over 35 years of thoughtful combinations and an outlook that celebrates the skin’s capacity to renew itself when given the right support. For those seeking uncompromising efficacy paired with sensorial pleasure, Resolute Facial Concentrate represents a significant addition to any regimen – a product destined to become a lasting part of lifelong skincare rituals.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether she’s belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
