A striking show of hands
An illuminative new gesture in hand care, Solais Replenishing Hand Serum extends Aesop’s long-held dedication to the body’s most expressive and industrious appendages. In this lightweight, easily absorbed serum, Niacinamide, Dandelion Root and LHA work in harmony to reduce the appearance of dark spots, as well as brighten and even the skin. Combined with an Aesop cleanser and balm, Solais (pronounced SOL-ish and meaning ‘of light’ in Irish) forms a regimen that is akin to a facial for the hands.
Of scientific dexterity
With this formulation, the Research & Development team based in Aesop’s Melbourne laboratory have applied their decades of facial skin care insights to the hands. For such hardworking body parts, so often exposed to the elements, it is a well-deserved moment of recognition.
Samy Hamada, Aesop’s Director of R&D, says: ‘Hands are an extremely sensitive part of the body—any tiny nuance in a product will be felt. So the texture is key. This is how we arrived at a lightweight serum offering compound benefits.’
‘The formulation takes a multi-faceted approach to caring for the hands, bringing together a remarkable suite of efficacious ingredients to hydrate and support the skin. A combination of Dandelion Root, Niacinamide and LHA (Lipo-Hydroxy Acid) work in concert to balance and brighten—helping to even the appearance of the skin.’
‘Dandelion Root also addresses the detrimental effects of skin-aggravating environmental stressors. Together with barrier-supportive Niacinamide and gently refining LHA, it lends effective support that’s of particular benefit to those in urban environments.’
Aromatic innovation
As with all Aesop formulations, Solais Replenishing Hand Serum is a balance of the scientific and the sensorial. A has been devised especially for the serum. Oils of Lavender Stem, Bergamot Rind and Neroli Blossom—revered for their hydrating, soothing and astringent properties—are meticulously blended to achieve a light floral, citrus and herbaceous aroma that complements the scent of each Aesop Aromatique Hand Balm. So be it Eleos, Reverence or Resurrection, the preferred balm can be applied after Solais for harmonious results.
A rhythmic new regimen
The introduction of Solais Replenishing Hand Serum creates a new four-step regimen. First, the hands are generously cleansed with Resurrection or Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash—the exfoliating properties of the latter can further assist in evening the appearance of the skin. This is followed by massaging one pump of Solais Replenishing Hand Serum to the back of each hand. Next, hydration is achieved with one of the three Aromatique Hand Balms. The finishing touch, when used in the daytime, is the application of sunscreen. Protective Facial Lotion SPF50 is an efficacious choice—and a convenient one if already a part of a daily facial care regimen.
A heritage of hand care
Aesop has always viewed the potentially mundane cleansing and hydrating of the hands as an opportunity for sensorial pleasure—from a passer-by’s unexpected encounter with a hand balm hung outside an Aesop store, to a sink demonstration for those curious enough to venture in, and ultimately, the daily at-home lathering of chosen formulations.
It all began with an improvised but inspired blend of vegetable and essential oils, whipped up by founder Dennis Paphitis in his fabled hair salon, Emeis—the prologue to Aesop’s story. Today, the salon’s backroom has been exchanged for Aesop’s laboratory, and the botanical extracts are paired with lab-made ingredients—combining the best of what nature and science have to offer, for maximum efficacy and sensorial intrigue. Solais Replenishing Hand Serum is the latest advance in this practice.
Enlightening artistry
According to the old cliché, ‘the eyes say it all’—but surely the hands are equal if not greater telltales of inner feeling. Nowhere is this more obvious, perhaps, than in the art of flamenco. Known as ‘floreo’ (also meaning ‘to flower’ in Spanish) the precise hand movements are personal expressions of each dancer’s reaction to the music—a physical, poetic display of blossoming emotion. A new manifestation of Aesop’s curiosity for all creative mediums, the launch campaign for Solais Replenishing Hand Serum celebrates flamenco and, through it, articulates the illuminating qualities of the new formulation. The meticulous blending of its efficacious ingredients is mirrored in the emotive effect of the flamenco dancer’s technical mastery.
In the film, six performers—four dancers and two musicians—are in rhythmic communication through their hands. Co-choreographed by lead dancer Ana Morales and secondary dancer Irene Chavarría, the visuals showcase a contemporary, minimalist interpretation of flamenco that is distinctly Aesop in tone. Pared back yet potent, it is a tribute to the hands’ inherent artistry. From this striking staging, Solais Replenishing Hand Serum is revealed.
