My first brush with the French cult status brand of Biologique Recherche took place in the quiet, cool, white hallowed halls of their flagship store on Ave. Champs Elysees in Paris.
I remember being in awe of the quiet courtyard, the shelves of clinical looking products, and the Hallelujah moment when I first clapped eyes on the section housing the famed Lotion P50 that I was there to purchase.
I was told that at back was the Biologique Recherche spa, where the signature treatment facials were carried out. As I was standing there chatting with the staff, a lady who was beautifully put together emerged, her skin glowing. At that moment, I swore to myself, that I too would one day experience this wonder for myself.
So, when I learnt that Biologique Recherche was going to be used and carried at the Boren Medical Hub here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with medical consultation, alongside the famed Biologique Recherche treatment facials, I knew my opportunity had come! :D Only took a couple of years LOL! :D
Biologique Recherche – Personalized luxury skincare
First, let’s get something straight. Biologique Recherche is a luxury brand born in 1980. They specialize in taking a clinical approach to formulating effective skincare, with high concentrations of active ingredients, formulated to a professional standard. This means more noticeable results in a shorter time.
The prices are therefore high, and to the regular consumer, a little daunting. Just putting it out there!
The products contain a high concentration (over 20% in most products) of botanical, marine and biological extracts making the products powerful and results-driven. There is also no artificial fragrance in any of products, which allow them to be used on sensitive skin.
The key idea surrounding Biologique Recherche skincare is how it is personalized to YOU, for YOUR skin’s needs at that point in time. Some products, like the famed Lotion P50 come in different strengths to suit different skin types and needs.
There is a very wide range of products comprising cleansers, lotions, serums and creams, that I personally find a little confusing. It is for this reason that I have not delved as deeply into the brand as I’d like to. It’s just too confusing! :P
However, the brand has legions of fans from all over the world, extolling the virtues and efficacy of the products, and swearing up and down by them. In my case, that product is Lotion P50 (In Malaysia, sold as Lotion P50T) – the best exfoliating toner bar none!
RELATED READING: Is Lotion P50 truly worth its cult status? Why is it good for you? READ HERE
Consultation is necessary before purchase
Due to the nature of the product formulation, and the principle of personalized skincare for your skin type and concerns, Biologique Recherche products may not be purchased off-the-shelf.
You must first undergo a consultation with one of their advisors, before you are allowed to make a purchase. While it seems redundant and an unnecessary hassle, it makes sense.
Not all of us will understand what each product is for, nor whether we really need it, or if we can use a different product in a different range.
At the Boren Medical Hub, consultation is carried out in a two-step approach. First, the consultation will be carried out by an attending doctor, who will assess your skin, your concerns and address your lifestyle and way of life.
Second, your skin will be assessed using the Biologique Recherche Skin Instant Lab analyzer. It will then provide you a list of recommended products for your needs.
I think this clinical two-step approach is more comprehensive, and may even help you ascertain better the products you need (as opposed to the ones you THINK you need!)
Biologique Recherche Treatment Facials
As much as I’d love to indulge in a full range of Biologique Recherche products, I’m afraid my wallet does faint away a little at the thought LOL :D Aside from Lotion P50, which I have been using for a few years, my experience with other BR products are rather limited to samples.
But I intend to expose myself to the brand and to the other products in the brand by the other thing that Biologique Recherche is reknowned for – the Biologique Recherche Treatment Facials.
I have read and been told so much about the BR facials, and how wonderful they are. No machines are employed, and there is a signature technique used for lymphatic drainage, that is quite unlike most relaxing facials that we might be used to.
In fact, I’ve been told that the facial itself feels rather intensive. I will be experiencing it, and I will share it with you soon! :D
At the Boren Medical Hub, the facials will be carried out by trained therapists, trained by Biologique Recherche. There are at present, 3 treatments, all of which are priced at RM550 each for 60 minutes.
- MC110 Restructuring Treatment – a replenishing treatment for toneless, normal, devitalized and wrinkled skin. The skin is smoothened, the shape of the face is refined, and skin looks smoother, cleaner and younger.
- Lift C.V.S Treatment – an exfoliating and lifting treatment combined with toning and shaping to sculpt contours and firm the face shape
- Restructurant et Lissant Treatment – a reconditioning and lifting treatment for thin, sensitive reactive skin. Skin looks hydrated, smoothed and toned.
The treatment most suitable for your needs will be recommended after you have completed your consultation and analysis.
I will experience it and I promise to share more about it once I have. At the moment, I’m afraid I have no idea what it entails (but I’m terribly excited to find out!) :)
I am also informed that there is a first time trial of the Biologique Recherche Treatment Facial at RM299 and there are also facial packages available. In my view, compared to other product-based facials I have undergone, I don’t think the price overly prohibitive, simply because of the product quality, the techniques and the efficacy. However, it does seem prohibitive, if you aren’t used to paying these sort of prices for facial treatments.
All that said, I will go and experience the facial and then come back with a report ;) But if you’ve ever experienced a Biologique Recherche facial, I do appreciate any feedback you have!
Are you intrigued by Biologique Recherche? Have you tried any BR facial?
I am a big fan of Lotion P50, and I still use it. Not everyday, but at least 3 times a week. It helps reset my skin, exfoliate effectively, and gives my skincare a boost. Absolutely worth every hard-earned penny and then some! :D
Paris B
Biologique Recherche and the Biologique Recherche Treatment Facials are available upon consultation at Boren Medical Hub, 1st Floor, Bangunan Bangsaria, 45E Jalan Maarof, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2201 7997
This post is brought to you in part by Boren Medical Hub. All opinions remain my own.
As a fan of P 50, I recommended it in a skin care article by Switzerland’s #1 beauty blogger.
Two years ago, I went to have a BR facial in Zürich. The lady was rather pushy to sell products, and I didn’t need anything. I mentioned the article and sent her the link.
One day later, I received an email addressed to Tom, telling about a lady who had a facial, didn’t buy any products and had co authored an article in a blog which was mainly addressed to younger customers who didn’t have a lot of money and would only buy P 50 – how should she react?
I could almost feel her anguish when I read this, and a few minutes later another email arrived claiming that the previous email was about somebody else entirely. I didn’t react and I never got another email from them. :-)
PS: the facial was good, but nothing special.
Yikes that was such an awful experiences Maja! I’m so sorry to hear about it. The salon should be ashamed of themselves for behaving in such an abysmal manner! I am quite partial to a good facial, so I hope to go and experience it and just enjoy it. I’m rather overdue one as it is haha! :)
Oh no, I hope the staff in msia will be nice. Paris, if you can identify the nice ones when u interact with them, please let us know! I’m one of the poor souls who can only afford p50, and only interested in their p50 at the moment… I was getting desperate and I thought of sending hubs to mandarin oriental to fetch one p50 for me. What a timely post!! I think I cna wait since I still have alphaH.
Keep us posted! :)
Based on those I met, they were pleasant. But I’ll definitely share my experience once I go for the facial and consult :D And girl, you aren’t alone! I am a fan of the Lotion P50, but the price tags of the other products do give me pause, even if they may be as effective as people claim they are.
Can’t wait to hear about your facial!
And yours! Haha!
Biologique Recherche now has an Australian website and web shop! Yay!
http://biologiquerecherche.skincareedit.com
However, you need to create an account to see the prices of products. I think that’s smart but also sneaky… ingredient lists aren’t available via this web shop. Weird – what happened to wanting people to make informed choices?! Let alone AHA/BHA concentrations…
I think having to have a consultation before purchasing products would turn me off. A) I don’t always have time for that (hello life!), B) What about those who live in rural areas and not close by? C) I admit that some SA’s may have more knowledge than me about skin and skincare, but not all do – they aren’t Dermatologists after all.
I’ll have to decide if I want to try one of their products…. I’m leaning towards no at this point despite all the raves and reviews!
BR has a bit of a secretive approach I find. While their products may be more potent, they aren’t half as potent as a medical grade product, so we can be assured that anything we use can never be that effective right? But you are right about how impractical the consultation bit can be. It’s what made the brand so sought after and mysterious. Perhaps that’s how they want to keep it :P If you do try, try Lotion P50, if you want an effective acid toner that isn’t drying. It is still by far, the best I’ve ever used.
Update us pleaseeeeee!! I’m planning to try their facial after reading your post but I’m dying to find out how it went for you as well!
Hi Li Ping, I’ve had some personal stuff happening so I haven’t had the opportunity to try the facial. But I have scheduled a session for later this week and will update once I’ve had a go! :)
Hello Paris B,
Cant wait for your next write up on your BR facial experience with Boren. I am currently using lotion P50T and I agree that the acid toner works fantastic without drying the skin. Although I am keen to try the entire line my wallet just couldnt indulge me.
I am currently using products which contain clinically researched and effective proven ingredients with emphasis on absence of irritants in the formulation and my skin has improved tremendously. I have learnt that expensive doesnt mean effective, its more important to read labels and understand ingredients and be empowered with the right skincare knowledge. Thanks xoxo
Hi there! I love Lotion P50 and I swear by it then and I still do. However, after trying some of the other products, and the facial, I’ve found that my skin does not take well to BR’s other products which is a pity! You are absolutely right however, that expensive does not equal good. I am a firm believer in that! We should all spend according to what our wallets allow us to because ultimately, it must be sustainable, or we’ll never see any results on our skin :)