The Story
Our latest launch represents everything we love about Korean skincare—innovation, creativity, original invention, and of course, impressive pushes forward on the ongoing quest for whatever magic potion will keep us looking eternally young. If the fountain of youth is going to be discovered anywhere, our bets are on Seoul.
A major part of our CEO + founder, Alicia’s job is scouting products, and needless to say, she was floored when she came across the R&D labs at Midaskin where they, at the time, were only just starting to develop the curations we’re launching on Peach & Lily today. The BoLC A+ serum and cream are formulated with ATGC Botulinum technology making them a skincare first. Thanks to this innovative polypeptide, topical botox is here!
Botulinum Polypetide-1 is truly a breakthrough in the global beauty industry. This INCI, (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) registered ingredient is patented by Midaskin (and proprietary to their brand). Their new serum and cream are the first products made with this ingredient—which is 95% identical to injectable botulinum. These products are truly beauty firsts!
Alicia’s had her eyes on this launch for a while. “I wanna say in 2014, I heard about this lab, through the industry grapevine, that they were gonna make this topical botox...at first I was highly, highly skeptical because there are many products that claim to be “topical botox,” but apparently this was going to be different. Still, I had so many questions. How are you going to make it absorbable? How are you going to make it stable? How will this work?” Alicia explains.
“After some intense beauty-hunting, I was able to meet with the CEO. It seemed like a pipe dream though, there was no commercial product yet. But the more I got to know them, the more I realized that they were really going to make this happen. We kept in touch, and eventually, they told me, we made this, we registered this ingredient on INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients), so now this is a registered cosmetics ingredient. They did a lot of consumer studies, including clinical trials. The before-and-afters blew me away because people look so natural, but younger. And I was excited, then, when I heard that they decided to create their own brand rather than license out the ingredient.” Alicia noted, as she took us through the process of curating this brand for Peach & Lily. “So, I was doubtful at first, but these chemists are really amazing. This is a real formulation breakthrough, there’s nothing else really like this out there.”
While there are many potent anti-aging formulas around, and even many that claim to be "topical botox," Midaskin is distinctive because the hero ingredient actually is the same as injectable botox—and these products are the first in the world to use it as a cosmetic ingredient!
The Products
The BoLC A+ Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Facial Serum contains 5 vials of product. Used continuously, these products have been found to dramatically soften and decrease wrinkles. The hero ingredient (and the one that got us hooked) is Botulinum Polypeptide-1, which provides smoothness and elasticity to rough and drooping skin. The serum also includes Adenosine, another powerful anti-aging ingredient. Midaskin recommends tapping a moderate-sized amount of the serum onto the face with the fingertips, after washing the face in the morning and at night.
The BoLC A+ Botulinum Polypeptide-1 Facial Cream contains these same two anti-aging ingredient, plus, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) which strengthens the skin’s ability to regenerate. Finally, unlike the serum, the BoLC A+ cream also works to brighten the skin as well with the addition of Niacinamide. Midaskin recommends applying the cream over the serum, on clean skin, day and night using one’s fingertips.
In order to get the full scoop, we spoke to Midaskin President, Myung Hwang, to learn more about the BoLC A+ serum and cream. His answers have been translated from Korean.
Why are these products revolutionary?
BoLC A+ products are the first products to be developed using botulinum-derived peptides, the effectiveness of this ingredient has been proven through clinical trials.
Who should use the BoLC A+ cream and serum?
The products are suitable for all women and men, but BoLC A+’s main customers include women in their 30s who are starting to fight signs of aging. Many Korean women believe anti-aging management should begin in one’s 20’s and we are proponents of that philosophy.
Is there anyone who should not use these products?
These products should not be used by children. Further, if during use, your face becomes swollen, you develop a rash, or any other type of skin irritation, you should discontinue use. However, in Korea, the reported side effects have been minimal.
What are the expected benefits?
Usually after 4 weeks of use, one will be able to observe a lessening of fine lines around the eyes and expression lines on your face (usually most visibly in the middle of one’s forehead). However, depending on the person, you may be able to see effects after only two weeks of use.
How quickly can users expect to see results?
To be frank, one cannot expect as immediate an effect as Botox injections whilst using Bolca products. However, you will start to see the benefits of the products after about four weeks of use.
Though the BoLC A+ serum set takes about four weeks to be truly effective, compared to the high cost and side effects of Botox injections, as well as the inconvenience of having to go back for more injections 4-6 months after the first session in order to maintain the effects, we are proud of the convenience factor our products offer.
Anything else you think is important to know about the Bolca products!?
First and foremost, our products comprise the world’s first cosmetic line made from botulinum-derived peptides; utilizes a patented ingredient (Ed Note: Midaskin is the only company worldwide who can use this ingredient) and do not include preservatives such as parabens and do not include any skin-harming chemicals or substances.
