Interview: Dr Annie Black on Revolutionising PDRN in Lancôme’s Newest Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream
From the formulator!
There’s a new It girl in town! Here’s why you need Lancôme’s Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream on your vanity.
After seven years of research, over 100 formulations, and seven patents, Lancôme unveils its most ambitious skincare innovation yet: Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream. At the heart of this breakthrough lies rose-derived PDRN, a powerful longevity molecule purported to surpass traditional salmon PDRN in skin regeneration and mitochondrial revitalisation.
The 40-hour extraction process condenses 100 roses into just one gram of Absolue Rose PDRN, making it a truly precious active. In fact, every golden jar of Lancôme’s new Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream contains trillions of rose DNA fragments designed to target the very core of your skin cells.
We spoke with Dr Annie Black, Lancôme’s International Scientific Director, to uncover how this golden cream redefines ageing—not by masking it, but by addressing its root causes at a cellular level. Find our full exclusive below:
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What’s the idea behind this new formula?
“At Lancôme, we believe that breakthroughs in science shouldn’t just live in a lab or clinic—we’re bringing cutting-edge cellular science right into your daily routine.”
What powers this revolutionary formula?
“There are three key players in this cream. First is Absolue PDRN, our rose-derived PDRN that restores cellular energy and function. Second is Proxylane, an incredible active that encourages communication between cells and boosts regeneration. Finally, we have the Perpetual Rose CO₂ Extract, which is a super protector that shields proteins from stress and helps keep the skin structure intact.”
What makes Absolue PDRN so special?
“This is the first time we’re using a rose-derived PDRN in skincare. It’s extraordinary. We extract it through a meticulous 40-hour, 10-step process and it takes 100 roses to yield just one gram of Absolue PDRN, the active molecule. It’s even more potent than salmon-derived PDRN used in medical settings, offering powerful benefits for skin longevity.”
What are the scientific benefits of this ingredient?
“We saw remarkable results from our in vitro experiments. Firstly, we saw a 152 percent increase in filaggrin, which is a key skin protein. Then, we saw a 166 percent increase in collagen I and a 124 percent increase in collagen III—both of which are essential to the skin’s structure. We also saw a 19 percent decrease in oxidative damage with the rose-derived PDRN as compared to the salmon PDRN. Finally, we saw major boosts to mitochondrial function, where energy levels inside the skin cells rose dramatically.”
“On real skin, the results speak for themselves. In just four weeks, we saw the following results:
- +26 percent inner plumpness
- -25 percent crow’s feet
- -20 percent nasolabial folds
- +36 percent firmer contours
- +24 percent more lifted cheekbones
- -23 percent forehead wrinkles
“Better yet, this new formulation received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Immediately after application, 95 percent of the women reported more hydrated skin and 90 percent saw more radiance. After one week, 98 percent of the women said they looked younger. And, after four weeks, every single one of the women felt that their skin’s elasticity and firmness had improved.”
Who is the new Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream made for?
“It’s formulated to support all skin types, tones, and ages. Whether you’re just starting to think about ageing prevention or already seeing signs, it works deep within the skin to promote longevity at the cellular level.”
What’s the difference between ‘anti-ageing’ and ‘longevity’?
“Anti-ageing is about correcting what you see—wrinkles, sagging. Longevity is deeper. It’s about targeting the root causes of ageing before they even show up. Think of it as caring for your skin’s health from the inside out.”
How should this be used in a skincare routine?
“Apply it after your serum, morning and evening. And don’t underestimate the power of touch—massage it in with upward motions. Our studies show that simple gestures enhance the product’s efficacy.”
Are there ingredients or formulations to avoid with Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream?
“Not at all. The formula is compatible with most routines and gentle enough for daily use. You don’t need to worry about mixing it with other active ingredients.”
Was it harder to extract PDRN from roses as compared to salmon?
“Much harder! Plant DNA is more complex than animal or human DNA due to its cell wall. This wall is very strong, and it needs to be broken in order for us to access the DNA which is a huge challenge for us. Even though we’ve been doing this in laboratories for decades, transforming these technologies was definitely difficult. But, we didn’t want to compromise, so we managed to perfect it.”
Why start with the Soft Cream texture for this launch?
“It’s our most iconic texture—the one people love and know best. It made sense to bring this innovation to the formula that’s already a favourite. From there, we can expand.”
Let’s talk skin energy—what does that really mean?
“It’s all about mitochondria—the powerhouse of the cell. They generate the energy your skin needs to renew and repair itself. As we age, that energy declines. Absolue PDRN not only fuels existing mitochondria but also protects them and even encourages new ones to form. That’s what longevity is all about.”
Final question—what’s your advice for people who want to age well?
“For me, it really depends on what each person wants to address. If you are young, in your 20s,, my recommendation would be to go for full prevention. If you’re a little bit older and you start to see for signs of ageing, you might want to continue preventing, but you might want to just try and intercept some of these signs that are starting to appear.
“When you’re even older, it’s still a question of prevention, but the focus will be a little bit more on correction. If you want a quick fix for something specific like wrinkles or dark spots, then focus on the ingredients that will really work on these consequences. But, if you are more into embracing the way you age, and age well, for me, this is what longevity is about. I think it all starts with a good diagnosis, and then follow up with a discussion with your beauty advisor. What is important for you? What are your needs of your skin? What do you want to address? Figure out the answers to these questions and then, according on your priorities, you can select the right product for you.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Lancôme’s refillable Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream is available to shop here for RM800 for 30ml or RM1,600 for 60ml. Find more skincare reads here.
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