French Connection: Sampar Skincare Brings the Beauty of Parisian Products Stateside

French women are known to have flawless skin. Think Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani, and the list goes on…. I don’t blame them really. I’m just a little envious. Maybe it’s something about the relaxing lifestyle of sipping red wine in a café surrounded by the fabulous French countryside or the steady buzz of the busy, beautiful Paris streets. Or maybe, it’s the vast selection of stunning skincare products that are produced there. I’ll go with this last option considering I just began sampling Sampar, a Paris-based skincare line that’s working wonders on some key trouble spots within my complexion.

There are a lot of products to consider in the Sampar Urban Active line since it consists of four skincare regimens (Essentials, the basics; Pure Perfection, the problem solvers; Age Antidote, for anti-aging; and City of Light, for discoloration problems) containing numerous items to choose from. For my part, I am going to highlight a triad of terrific skin solutions that are starting to solve three of my toughest skin issues: fine lines around the eyes, sun spots of discoloration, and overall patches of dryness and slight (!) skin sagging around my once-firm face. Before I give you the lowdown on these goodies, let’s start with the back story on what makes these products so powerful.

Sampar was created by Patrick Sounigo, a specialist in medical cosmetology for more than 20 years. He studied medicine at the Cochin Hospital in Paris, France, with the father of aromatherapy, Dr. Jean Valnet. It was this experience that drove Patrick to dedicate his career to the field of aromatherapy and phytotherapy. He developed the line with a goal in mind to combine modern scientific effectiveness with exceptional luxury. The products are formulated with natural fibers to beautify the appearance and health of women’s skin, as well as to provide it with balance. The hand-made blend of three high-tech and all natural active ingredients includes shea butter extract (to boost skin’s resistance and protect it against pollution); mint leaf extract (to relax and soothe it); and plant sugar and lactate extract (to create beneficial germs that help eliminate bad ones and reinforce skin’s natural defense system). Back to the product buzz…

My “power of three” products consists of Splendid “Eyes” Elation (in the Age Antidote category), Lavish Dream Cream (also from Age Antidote), and Spot Lighter (from the City of Light regimen). Splendid “Eyes” is splendid indeed. The clear, brownish gel is smooth upon application and is chockfull of ingredients that helped my “slight” under eye circles and fine lines. Among the 12 active principles in the formula are peptides, anis, horse chestnut, and corn flower water. I apply it religiously every morning and night, and have seen significant results so far in the month since I’ve been using it. The Lavish Dream Cream has definitely helped my skin rest easier for a number of reasons. First of all, though it may sound silly, I love the dispenser. The product is housed in a pretty-packaged round jar. But you notice when you remove the clear lid, instead of having to carefully guess how much cream to apply, simply push down on the inner white top and instantly out squeezes the right amount for easy application. It’s great for gals like me who might accidentally over-apply if left to her own devices, and if by chance you tip the jar over, you won’t loose any of this special essence, which includes ingredients of concentrated peptides, jojoba oil, nut and chestnut extracts. The cream is light, white, and silky, and a noticeable difference in moisture and firmness is not far behind within a week of use. Again, I apply this morning and evening. Last but not least, we have the Spot Lighter, and it shines in easy of use, application, and the resulting reduction of pigment problems like sun spots. Simply rotate the tip of pen to release a small serving of the product. Then apply and massage the smooth, yellow-tinted solution with the pen’s tip to the area affected.

All of these products are an elegant, olfactory experience in addition to working small wonders on the skin. There’s a wealth of scientific information behind the brand including the merging of phytoaromatics, nano technology, and state-of-the-art research on biopeptides, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C, which is all highly impressive. But in simple terms, Sampar Urban Active is a skin line you should get to know. For more information on the products mentioned in this article and others, as well as prices and purchase locations, log on to www.sampar.com