I can pinpoint the exact day that I stopped believing that skin care could change my life. It was at the launch of a (then) new brand that had apple stem cells as the key and game changing ingredient. Even for a non-scientist, that sounded so dodgy that I wanted to stand up and leave. What could the possible chances be that apple stem cells are somehow compatible with human stem cells? Zero. And yet, the marketing managed to work it around from a lie to a truth. The only stem cells that are compatible with human stem cells are, of course, human stem cells. I did not feel at any level my mind could be changed on this but it has been and I will tell you how.
I’ve just come back from a meeting with Riyadh Swedaan, founder of Tursian and former partner of Brandon Truaxe. To be rid of the elephant in the room, anyone who knew Brandon, founder of Deciem and so much more, knew that he spiraled out of control with a mental illness that destroyed him, his relationships and his sense of self. He died despite everyone that he was dear to doing their level best to find a part of him they could reach and help him. I had a wonderful relationship with Brandon until he took a step too far and I closed it as you would a heart breaking book – glad it was over but sad nonetheless. Being distant and being uncaring are two different things – when I could see what was happening so publicly, I tried but as I’ve said, he was unreachable. I will never not be sad about Brandon.
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So, you can imagine meeting Riyadh – his wonderful, and for reasons only known to Brandon, (almost) secret life partner – was a mix of emotions. His brand, Tursian is so named because that was Brandon’s last name – not Truaxe (I know, Brandon keeps on surprising us). The logo has part of the capital T missing which symbolizes the part of the brand that’s missing – Brandon. Riyadh is a delightful mix of science nerd and awkwardly endearing human. I had a masterclass in Tursian in one hour flat in a hidden hotel in Knightsbridge which is probably the fanciest place I’ve ever been in, looking straight out over Hyde Park with Harvey Nichols as the corner shop. I can tell you, hand on heart, that I’ve never wanted to run home and smother myself in lotions as fast as I did after hearing about Tursian. His vice-president, Dia Foley, at 63, has the most beautifully smooth skin that I had to sit on my hands not to give it a stroke. She gave up Botox and she gave up filler after using Tursian and I’ll have what she’s having, thanks.
Back to stem cells shortly, but the brand works with key ingredients that all feed each other. It’s like the menu that makes the meal – you take one stage after another until you are completely done, knowing that every course compliments the next seamlessly. I’m not going to fully touch on ingredients just yet – it’s a very complexly formulated brand and I need to be sure I understand it as fully as I can before doing so. However, the only known stem cells that work with human stem cells come from yeast (in a skin care setting) and there is only one manufacturer and that manufacturer supplies to Tursian. The clinicals on this brand are crazy – Rihyadh has spent over a quarter of a million dollars on independent clinicals and uses over 300 separate ingredients to create products that, in a nutshell, speed the repair cycle while feeding every single stage as nutritiously as is humanly possible.
I understand that every founder feels passionate about their brand, but Rihyadh and Dia are next level. Together, they’re like a box of firecrackers – one spark and they’re off, firing facts and figures, ingredients and processes. We all three argued about the importance of a fancy cleanser – Rihyadh was for, Dia (with caveats) and I were against. I don’t see the point of wasting precious money on expensive cleanser when I’d rather spend the money on the real action. If it’s affordable for you, then by all means it’s right but because it’s an expensive brand I immediately wanted to narrow down to the must-haves. At this early stage, I’m going to suggest P3 Ultimate Serum Hydration Concentrate and R4 Spotlight Energizing Moisturiser if you want to dip your toe. The R31 Eye Cream is a dream – I will be using this on my neck because I still can’t endorse a separate eye cream if you have the right moisturisers. I would also be meh about the Toners but with the menu building the meal analogy, I’m leaning slightly more towards it. I don’t truly know what the letters and number are for – I hope that they drop those as soon as possible because life is complicated enough!
It’s unusual for me to be excited about skin care – it always feels like homework, whereas make up feels like a treat. However, I really feel that Tursian is going to make some waves in the luxury market – I hope so anyway. It was the brand that Brandon was leading up to and I feel like he’d be so proud that it’s in the safest possible hands with Riyadh. Tursian is HERE.
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