When it comes to aging hair, you know the signs—grays sprouting along your part, strands that suddenly feel wiry and brittle, or thinning hair on your temples. What’s more, the natural hormonal shifts that come with age (hello, menopause) can impact and even shrink the hair follicles. Then, there are the external stressors: Years of styling and chemical processes can take a toll.
Eventually, these factors can impact your hair longevity—in other words, how long your hair looks and feels healthy. And while you can pile on all the conditioner you can buy, the real solution may lie at the root of the problem: the scalp. The new Kérastase Chronologiste Longevity Potion targets these changes at the source, working on a cellular level in the scalp to address the five primary signs of aging hair (lack of volume, thinning, dryness, frizziness, and dullness), all while supporting hair and scalp health in the long run. Here’s how exactly it pulls that off—and how to make the most of it in your hair-care routine.
The Formula
Many scalp serums are geared towards single concerns such as oiliness or dryness. What sets the Longevity Serum apart is that it addresses multiple signs of scalp and hair aging at once. “The formula, made up of 3% Pro-Xylane and ochrophyta algae, is designed to boost scalp vitality and follicular resilience,” says Poopak Parish, technical director, testing and development at L’Oréal USA.
Pro-Xylane is a proprietary molecule typically found in face serums and creams from L’Oréal-owned brands. Harnessed through “green” chemistry, this active ingredient (which is derived from a sugar called xylose) has been found to stimulate the formation of glycosaminoglucans, or GAGs, which are natural components of the skin barrier. In helping create more GAGs, Pro-Xylane helps boost hydration in the scalp to give your hair the best possible conditions for growth. When it comes to the hair itself, meanwhile, Pro-Xylane is shown to increase the diameter of strands and thickness of the hair fibers.
Ochrophyta algae, known in the wild for its resilience in harsh conditions, contains active compounds that bind to proteins in the hair; it’s thought to prevent split ends, amp up hydration, and increase shine and elasticity. Like Pro-Xylane, it also supports the skin barrier on the scalp, leaving it hydrated and calm.
In the Longevity Potion, these active ingredients work together to reinforce hair both at the root and along the strand, so it stays hydrated, resilient, and strong for years to come.
How It Works
The Kérastase Chronologiste Longevity Potion is formulated to balance and revitalize the scalp environment, which is critical for healthy hair growth. But, it also impacts the strands themselves, helping hair appear thicker, fuller, and healthier. The serum penetrates 10 surface layers deep, allowing it to target three billion scalp cells and reactivate cellular activity, according to the brand.
The Results
After 30 days of using the Longevity Serum consistently, hair should appear fuller, thicker, and healthier.* Paired with the rest of Kérastase’s Chronologiste collection, it can also help reverse signs of hair aging, including dullness, frizz, and dryness.
How to Use It
The product is meant to be used every three days—and its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture makes that an easy habit to stick with. It sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave residue at the roots, so you don’t have to worry about it interfering with your style. An added bonus: The serum is infused with a warm floral scent incorporating freesia, rose, and bergamot.
The Longevity Potion rounds out Kérastase’s Chronologiste line, which creates a targeted anti-aging routine to support healthy, youthful hair. It starts in the shower with the Bain Régénérant shampoo, which cleanses hair while actively hydrating the scalp, followed by the Masque Intense Régénérant to deep condition and strengthen hair in just five minutes, before being rinsed out. This combination can be used every time you wash your hair.
In addition, every three days in the evening, after you’ve towel-dried hair, you can apply five drops of the Longevity Potion directly to your scalp and massage it in to kickstart your scalp’s vitality, and help keep hair looking healthy and thick. Finish with the Overnight Youth Hair Serum, which can be applied nightly and addresses the five signs of hair aging while you sleep.
*Based on instrumental testing of the Longevity Potion
