Last week, Lancôme hosted a virtual deskside for beauty writers and editors from Paris with Lancôme’s International Scientific Director, Dr. Annie Black, to introduce its new and improved Advanced Génifique Eye Cream. Details on several new Hydra Zen products, namely a moisturizer and gel cream, were also shared.

Part of its cult-favorite Génifique franchise, this eye treatment replaces the former version. “We added a probiotic complex, but we also worked on the texture,” Dr. Black said. “Because [the former version of this product] has been on the market for a while, it’s loved by millions of women, but some of the feedback is that people said that they were missing some instant efficacy,” she explained. “So a lot of the work we did on the formula was to focus on the efficacy.”

Dr. Black pointed out that in today’s world, wearing a mask has become a necessity and the focus is on our eyes—the only visible part of our face. “Our eyes show our strength and our emotions, but our eye contour is rather delicate and fragile,” she said. The skin under the mask can be easily compromised. “Masks can create pressure related discomforts as well as damages and breakouts,” she said. Itching and rashes are often associated with mask wearing. In addition, under the mask, the temperature of the skin increases. “For every single degree rise in temperature, there’s actually a 10 percent rise in the production of sebum,” Dr. Black noted. Its composition also changes with this increase in temperature, and skin concerns can start to arise.

Between the high temperature and high humidity, this all rises toward the eye contour area. Glasses wearers are well aware that their glasses get fogged up when wearing a mask, and this affects the skin barrier of the eye contour. The skin around the eyes is also three times thinner than the rest of the face.

That’s where this new product comes in. It’s formulated with Lancôme’s exclusive Génifique technology and has been designed with a new lightweight gel texture that smooths fine lines and improves dark circles, revealing visibly brighter eyes. Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control, this formula works even for those with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Featuring bifidus prebiotic, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, the formula also helps to strengthen and protect skin’s moisture barrier. Intended to both prevent and correct, Advanced Génifique Eye Cream is for women of all skin tones, skin types, and ages.

Bifidus prebiotic 10% helps provide a favorable environment for good bacteria that is present on the skin’s surface, promoting a more balanced skin barrier.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is found throughout the skin, capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water and known for its ability to enhance moisture-retention and skin-hydration.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant known to help neutralize free radicals, brighten, and smooth the skin. This formula uses a water-soluble, stable vitamin C derivative that is known to be gentle on the skin and that will not degrade when exposed to air, heat, or light.

Buckwheat seed extract contains flavonoids, which can help to improve microcirculation.

Advanced Génifique Eye Cream retails for $68 for 15ml. It’s available at lancome-usa.com and Lancôme counters nationwide beginning June 2021.

Lancôme has also added several products to its Hydra Zen franchise, Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Glow Liquid Moisturizer and Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Gel Cream. Hydra Zen items are designed to provide intense hydration. The moisturizer, formulated with a complex blend of 14 amino acids, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and rose extract, will retail for $45 for 1.6 fl. oz. The gel cream, which aims to improves skin’s moisture barrier and instantly reduces signs of fatigue, will sell for $48 for 1.7 fl. oz.