Is a substance extracted from Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum 'Helvetia' Extract), plants with pure, white flowers and fuzzy white "petals" (technically, bracts) arranged in a double-star formation. Also known as Beautiful Star, Glacier Star, Glacier Queen, and Alpine Jewel, it is a plant that symbolizes the elegance of the aristocrats (upper class). Furthermore, there is a folk tale of a man who climbs the cold Alps with great dedication in order to pick Edelweiss for his beloved lady as a valuable gift to impress her and to prove to her his true love. Thus, Edelweiss also represents pure and everlasting love. According to folk tradition, giving this flower to a loved one is a promise of dedication.
When Edelweiss blooms, the Alps will be covered in white as if the mountains are adorned with pure white carpets. Edelweiss flowers grow on abundant Alpine mountains with mineral streams at 1500 -3400 meters above ground level, which is the altitude that offers intense UV radiation, low air pressure, and extreme climate that changes from hot to cold and dry to humid. Consequently, Edelweiss has been through thousands of years of evolution to withstand these severe conditions, which is why it has come to be called “Survival Star” and has become Switzerland’s national flower.
With fertile soil and glacial streams rich in minerals, Alpine Edelweiss contain high levels of Chlorogenic acid, Glucoside, Luteolin, Tanin and anti-oxidants. Alpine plants are known to contain as much as 10 times higher concentration of substances to be extracted than plants grown in other areas. A vital substance in ALPAFLOR EDELWEISS EP is Leontopodic Acid, which can only be found in the stalk exposed to UV radiation and differs from other substances extracted from the roots. Other substances from this plant include Chlorogenic acid & Derivatives, Luteoline-7-O-glucoside, Luteoline-4‘-O-glucoside, Apigenine-7-O-glucoside.
Standards for the cultivation entail farming on Alpine mountains, which are rich in nutrients and minerals necessary for growth, organic processes, and the use of mineral water from the same source as EVIAN. Cultivated at 1000-1500 m above sea-level – the altitude that offers intense UV radiation and extreme climates of intense heat during the day and severe cold during the night – Alpine plants need to adapt to survive, such as by producing flavonoids and tannin more than usual. Hence, Alpine plants contain as much as 10 times higher concentration of substances than the same types of plants grown in other areas. Moreover, special attention is given to the process from the selection of seeds to the harvest by personnel trained at VALPLANTES, an institute specialized in organic farming and certified by BIO.Suisse. Thus, no chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides are used. ALPAFLOR® EDELWEISS EP is extracted to be highly concentrated through the procedures that are state-of-the-art, clean, safe, and certified by ECO CERTIFIATE, EcoCert SAS FR 32600.
The result is ALPAFLOR® EDELWEISS EP that contains high levels of Leontopodic acid, which is a strong anti-oxidant or radical scavenger. It protects the skin from UV-A and UV-B radiations (DNA Protection), restores balance, and soothes the skin. It also provides treatment and protection in the stratum corneum and the epidermis layers by stimulating synthesis of protein and enzymes to promote strength, elasticity, and hydration, forming the skin’s first defense. Finally, ALPAFLOR® EDELWEISS EP has been tested for effectiveness and safety for all skin types.