An article from WWD.com ; Text by Jennifer Weil

“Due to its color and hefty price tag, saffron is often called “red gold.” The rare spice is a key ingredient in Yves Saint Laurent’s new premium skin-care product, dubbed Or Rouge (“Red Gold” in French).

But it’s not just any saffron strain, explained Stephan Bezy, international general manager of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté at L’Oréal. It comes from high in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, a country with historic links to the founding couturier himself, since that’s where Saint Laurent gleaned inspiration. Saffron pistils from crocus flowers grown there contain a high concentration of a unique glycan known as crocin.

Glycans play a leading role in skin’s cell communication and metabolism, plus contribute to tissue structure and architecture. Their quantity diminishes as people age, causing skin to lose substance and the deterioration of its supporting architecture.

Company executives bill Or Rouge as a “skin renaissance” treatment, a global antiage line that aids skin quality and uniformity and enhances its natural protection. It is said to work on fine lines, wrinkles, lack of firmness and dullness, among other signs of aging.

Or Rouge is to have an exclusive introduction at Harrods in the U.K. starting in early February, followed by a mid-March prelaunch in the U.S. on yslbeautyus.com. The wider rollout will take place in April, although China is slated for September.

In the U.S., Or Rouge’s pricing is to be $420 for the 50-ml. cream, $240 for the 15-ml. eye cream and $150 for the 200-ml. lotion.”

Read the original and complete story here on WWD.com