By Anna Maria Giambanco DiPietro, Contributing Beauty Editor
With the new year upon us, there’s no time like the now to begin a new and improved skincare regimen. With the myriad of lotions, potions, balms, butters, and salves on the market, it can be difficult to rise above the din of pop-up ads, marketing emails, and social media influencers—all telling us exactly what to do with our dry, depleted post-holiday skin. My suggestion? A return to Nature.
I recently had the pleasure of sampling Le Domaine, the new nature-centric, luxury skincare line by the Perrin Family (Château de Beaucastel), and Brad Pitt. Yes, the American actor, producer, and philanthropist has teamed up with one of the most cherished wine producers of France’s Southern Rhône Valley. With their world-renowned reputation for excellence and organic viticulture, the fifth-generation vignerons now marry their respect for the Earth and terroir with decades of research, and a dedication to cutting-edge science.
This is not just any beauty line being touted by a pretty face—Le Domaine is poised to forever alter skincare as we know it. Merging the work of Professor Nicolas Lévy, a global expert on aging, and the research of enology Professor Pierre-Louis Teissedre, Ph.D., to identify the most potent antioxidants found in grapes, the line contains two secret ingredients that pack a punch: GSM10, made from Grenache and Syrah grape seeds from Château de Beaucastel vineyards, and ProGR3®, a proprietary combination of plant extracts developed to combat the effects of aging.
I’ve used the line for ten consecutive weeks now, and I’m completely hooked. My skin is absolutely brighter, and I have received numerous compliments, with some even saying that I look younger—I kid you not. Curious to learn more? Read on, as Marc Perrin and Mr. Pitt were kind enough to answer this wine-loving beauty editor's many, many questions.
“Le Domaine is not meant to be a celebrity brand. It is an anti-aging cosmetics range for every man and woman. I love the idea of a genderless line. When we created it with the Perrins, we agreed on the fact that we did not want a face to represent it.” - Brad Pitt
AM: Marc, how did you meet Brad?
Marc Perrin: We had mutual friends in the United States. After Brad bought Château Miraval in 2008, he asked my family how to improve the quality of Miraval wines. He praised our work at Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-pape. We met to discuss it, and it turned out that we shared the same ideas and the same desires for the future of wine production at Miraval. We got along from the start because we share the same values, and the same love and respect for the earth.
AM: What made you decide to create a new skincare line together?
Brad Pitt: For a long time, I had tossed around the idea of creating a skincare line. When the Perrins told me about the research they had conducted with a professor on the antioxidant property of the grapes and leaves, it clicked. We rapidly moved on with the concept of developing a unique sustainable skincare brand merging state-of-the-art research with the best natural ingredients.
AM: As a wine writer, I’m a fan of GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre) in my glass. Could you explain why these three grapes are the rock stars behind your active ingredient, GSM10, and how Dr. Pierre-Louis Teissedre came into the picture? How did his work with wine polyphenols come into play?
MP: In fact, there are two active ingredients which are the rock stars: ProGr3® and GSM10. One without the other would be a nonsense. The Perrin family has been producing wine in Châteauneuf du Pape since 1909, and ours was one of the very first estates to use biodynamic methods. Beaucastel is an exceptional estate where grapevines have been cultivated for 2,000 years. We are rooted in this fine wine-growing tradition. We use 13 different grape varieties at Beaucastel, which is relatively rare. We know that grapes are beneficial to our health, and we wanted to see where else we could take that knowledge. Fifteen years ago, we partnered with the University of Bordeaux and Dr. Pierre-Louis Teissedre to analyze those grapes.
Following more than a decade of research, Teissedre isolated specific compounds derived from the skins, seeds, and stems of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes (the now famous GSM) to create a patented antioxidant formulation, which can reduce oxidative stress and improve replication at the cellular level. In other words: Slow the signs of skin aging. After that, the idea of a cosmetics brand soon followed.
AM: Brad, did you provide guidelines for the skincare range?
BP: I was involved in the creative process every step of the way from choosing the name and the brand identity to testing the products. I’m a big fan of every single one and use The Cream daily. It is my favorite one—I really like the texture because it’s creamy, it moisturizes quickly. It makes my skin much more comfortable under the California sun.
AM: What about the packaging design?
BP: As you may already know, I’m a big fan of architecture and design and I loved the idea of upcycling oak wood from the wine barrels of the Perrin wine estates. We worked with a local designer to create this unique cap for the jars and bottles. It is made in France by craftsmen and each piece is unique. The result is both minimalist and sensory.
AM: I admire the way you’re shifting the focus from anti-aging to “aging well." How does ProGr3® factor in, and could you tell our readers how it came to fruition?
MP: Very early my family met and partnered with Dr. Nicolas Lévy who is based in Marseille which is not too far from our winery. He is a leading researcher on progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes children to rapidly age. Lévy’s biotech company has found a connection between premature human aging and skin aging and has identified resveratrol (present in grapes) as a potential key to treating progeria.
We immediately thought that there could be synergies between our two findings. And what we discovered was amazing: One + One made Three! Synergies were evident at first sight. There are three molecules in ProGr3®: the first one is Resveratrol from grapevine tendrils, the second one is Apigenin from chamomile extract, and the third one is Catechin from green tea. The association with the active GSM10, with its antioxidant effects, gave amazing results. We conducted proper scientific studies using the same approach as in therapeutic trials.
The formulas for all four skincare products were assessed through radical, rigorous testing methods that combined instrumental tests and in vivo clinical trials on a large group of volunteers (both men and women), conducted under dermatological supervision, with a test against placebo controls conducted on The Fluid Cream to clearly identify the source of efficacy. By studying the cell models on skin fibroblasts (with in vitro tests), we were able to demonstrate not only the synergistic action of the three molecules in ProGr3® on the mechanisms responsible for progerin’s toxicity but also an effect on other biomarkers of aging. Lastly, one of the most useful physical measurements of product efficacy is measuring the skin microrelief. All of these studies demonstrated that the products in the Le Domaine line of cosmetics correct skin abnormalities caused by natural aging.
AM: The Perrin Family has produced biodynamic wines for quite some time —their dedication to upcycling at the Beaucastel Vineyards is inspiring. How did that translate into the cream, serum, and cleanser you’ve developed?
MP: Le Domaine is a marriage of science and terroir, effectiveness, and naturalness, with an emphasis on transparency and sensory indulgence. The goal is to imitate the organic cycles of nature, its primeval beauty. There is no waste in nature. This exemplary circular system is the inspiration for Le Domaine. What is obvious is also simple: to care for ourselves, we must care for and respect our Earth. Le Domaine is rooted in a chemical-free vision of science, drawing its strength from a unique terroir that has remained intact since the 17th century. In keeping with the Perrin family’s pioneering approach to producing biodynamic wines, its formulas contain between 96 and 99% of natural ingredients, with a strong commitment to transparency and traceability.
AM: Do you plan to add any additional products to the line, and would you consider offering trial-size containers so that shoppers could sample them with a smaller investment?
MP: We will make some new announcements later in 2023. It is too early to talk about it.
AM: Your packaging is so elegant, and I love the oak caps made from Famille Perrin wine barrels. How did you develop it all, and could you speak a bit about how the jars and bottles are refillable?
MP: In order to limit our impact on the environment as much as possible and to favor local products, our products are created, developed, and manufactured in France, more precisely in Provence, with packaging coming mainly from France or Italy. We also knew from the start that we wanted our packaging to be refillable and upcycled. For example, the oak for the stoppers is recovered from Perrin estate wine barrel scraps. What’s more, each stopper is unique, sculpted individually by an artisan from the Jura, region of France. They evoke the furrows of a vineyard and play with light to give the material its special luster. The result is organic and appeals to the senses.
AM: What can we expect to see as you continue to grow the brand?
MP: To provide rational, real proof of their efficacy, our medical doctors developed radical, rigorous testing methods for all our products. We will continue to do so to grow our brand in the future. Our approach is rare in the cosmetics industry, combining instrumental tests and in vivo, clinical trials on a large user group, conducted under dermatological supervision, with tests against placebo controls to clearly identify the source of efficacy.
We know that these extremely rigorous testing methods are not common in the cosmetics industry, but we couldn’t have done it any other way. It’s in our nature to be uncompromising. A huge amount of expertise goes into the formulation of Le Domaine’s limited product line. We are resolutely different as we do it our own way, without following trends. It's all about conviction and intuition. Le Domaine all started with an intuition to pursue with an intention: Derived of Science and Terroir to be one with both Nature and your one nature.
$77 USD
The Cleansing Emulsion from Le Domaine is made of science and terroir. It contains GSM10®, their exclusive patented active compound that slows down the signs of skin aging. It is formulated with hydrating and soothing grape water, and enriched with moisturising and nourishing active ingredients. It contains no sulphated surfactants. Its airy and smooth texture, very finely foaming, gently cleanses the face and washes away impurities, detoxifying the skin, and leaving it perfectly clear and fresh. The skin is respected, hydrated and supple. It regains its radiance and beauty.
$303
The Cream contains a high concentration of GSM10® and ProGR3®. It is also formulated with moisturising and soothing grape water, nourishing organic olive oil and shea butter, as well as ayurvedic plant extract to combat the appearance of tiredness and deliver guaranted comfort. It has a silky whipped cream texture that leaves the skin soft and comfortable throughout the day. It moisturises perfectly the skin, nourishes it intensely and protects it for a suppler and smoother skin and a rested-looking face. Looking more dense and regenerated, the skin is plumped and regains its radiance and glow.
$385
The Serum from Le Domaine contains a very high concentration of GSM10® and ProGR3®. It is also formulated with hydrating and soothing grape water. It is enriched with two vine flower sister cells, with complexion perfecting and skin beautifying effectiveness. It contains hyaluronic acids with wrinkle-smoothing and moisturising effects. Its ultra-silky texture is well absorbed and leaves the skin intensely plumped up. From the first use, the serum gives the skin a boost effect, the skin is unified, the skin texture refined. After 28 days of use, it has an anti-wrinkle and a global anti-aging effect: revitalized and protected, the skin is smoother, firmer and more beautiful, it regains its radiance and looks visibly younger.
