Lemons and lemon houses, the pride of Lake Garda

LEMON EXTRACT

A ray of sunshine that purifies and brightens dull skin

The formula of the innovative  PŪRITĀS serum combines micro-encapsulated salicylic acid with an advanced oligomeric compound and the beneficial properties of lemon extract. The result is a highly effective product that both exfoliates and reinvigorates the skin.

PRECIOUS FRUITS OF THE SUN

Lake Garda is famous for being the northernmost place in the world where lemons are grown.  It owes its uniqueness to an exceptional climate which was harnessed by the ingenuity and dedication of the Minorite Order over the centuries. In the monasteries overlooking the lake, over a millennium ago, monks carved out terraces from the stone where Citrus Limon still grows today.

Having rediscovered a 19th century diary in the archives of the Library of Congress in Washington, we investigated further and found a report on a rare variety of the Benaco lemon, the 'Madernina'. This fortuitous discovery led us to discover the most remote lemon houses, their methods and traditions, monuments to agricultural traditions and the many lives that are still connected to the ancient lemon houses.

Even today, Lake Garda lemons are prized for their unique and highly effective properties. They are medium-sized fruits with a high degree of acidity, a bright citrus-yellow skin, and are very thin and fragrant (due to the numerous essential oils and terpenes). Lake Garda's lemons are an exceptional product, which the local cooperatives and producers are rightly proud of. They need to be protected as they have been for thousands of years. 

From their processing in full respect of the principles and methods of organic farming, these lemons are transformed into the precious cosmetic ingredient that enriches the PŪRITĀS face serum.

EFFECTIVENESS

Its high levels of vitamin C, minerals, bioflavonoids, citric acid and limonene make it a treasure trove of beneficial properties for the skin. Our precious extract comes from the best lemon trees, which overlook the lake and can be seen through ancient stone windows. It is an ingredient with rare skin tightening, antiseptic, toning and brightening properties. Perfect for normalising sebaceous secretions, tightening open pores, combating impurities and brightening oily and dull skin is, with salicylic acid, it is key to PŪRITĀS's effectiveness.

Those who have tried it swear by it: it is the multi-active treatment to rid the pores of sebum build-up, make the skin even and radiant, reduce the 'shiny' effect, and pleasantly restore firmness and vitality even to the most sensitive skin.

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT

When waste becomes a resource

Our face oil, ŎLĔUM, combines the beneficial properties of Lake Garda's olive oil and olive leaves in a unique and highly effective formula. The latter are a deeply nourishing and effective resource. ŎLĔUM's high phytochemical composition of not only guarantees results, it also respects the health and well-being of your skin.

LEAVES USED IN KEEPING WITH ANCIENT TRADITIONS

Long and thin, yet strong, of an intense green colour: these are the leaves of the olive trees that grow by Lake Garda; a crop that is intimately linked to the lives of its inhabitants (there is not a garden or patch of land around the lake that does not have a few olive trees). Fathers and mothers have always taught their children to look after 'their' olive trees with passion and devotion, as if they were members of the family, living beings to be lovingly cared for generation after generation.

At Secretum Gardae we have chosen to work only with local growers who follow the strictest organic principles. This is why we have developed a project that involves those who truly love and care for their land. Those who keep the old traditions alive. The cooperatives and family-run farms that live in harmony with their olive groves, however large or small, protecting their ancient origins, observing the seasons, and ensuring that nothing interferes with their natural regeneration.

EFFECTIVENESS

The ancient Romans, or the early monks who introduced and developed oil production around Lake Garda, knew that the leaves of the olive tree were an incredible elixir of well-being. The perfectly balanced formulation of ŎLĔUM finds its best antioxidant ally in their extract.

At Secretum Gardae, in consultation with our agronomists, we wait for the best time to harvest the leaves. After the pressing or pruning process has taken place, the leaves are harvested, carefully selected and immediately processed in the laboratory to preserve their bioactive molecules.

In addition to proteins, minerals and lipids, olive leaves are rich in polyphenols, natural compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Together with the precious PDO EVO oil from Lake Garda, one of the best vegetable oils used in the cosmetics industry, they contribute to our intensive treatment to combat dry skin. Regular use of ŎLĔUM also replenishes the hydrolipid barrier, fights the signs of ageing and prevents wrinkles and fine lines.

PEACH EXTRACT

A blend of active skincare ingredients to nourish and enhance the beauty of your face

The exceptional re-balancing properties of the bioactive peptide in VĪTĀLITĀS are combined with the powerful, anti-ageing properties of the peach. Together, these microbiome-friendly ingredients and PGI fruits from Verona have a nourishing, regenerating and velvety effect on your skin.

A GLOWING, SMOOTH COMPLEXION

In spring, the delicate pink flowers of peach trees dot the avenues and gardens at Lake Garda, filling the hills over Verona with colour, and celebrating nature around parks and ancient manors. It is the long anticipation that summer is approaching, with all its beauty and vitality. Soon the flowers will give way to fruits: then the sun and earth will nourish their flesh, turning them into a sweet anti-ageing concentrate.

On the morainic hills of the lower Veronese Garda area, growing peaches is a mission as well as an old pleasure. Here, the mild climate and very special draining soils of fluvioglacial origin are the perfect environment into which the peach trees can burrow their lush roots. They grow and are enriched with natural substances, becoming stronger and bearing fruit. All our processes adhere to the strict principles of organic farming which aim to respect nature as well as the growing methods that saw peach trees travel from ancient Persia, to Magna Graecia, and eventually to Lake Garda.

A unique European protected designation of origin is given to the high quality of Lake Garda peaches, which were already used for medicinal purposes in ancient times. Now their unique micronutrients are the added value of VĪTĀLITĀS for re-balancing your skin’s ecosystem.

EFFECTIVENESS

The precious nutrients found in peaches include mineral salts, simple sugars, organic acids, vitamins C, A, B, carotenoids and phenolic compounds. This blend, which is particularly rich in micronutrients, makes them the perfect natural ingredient for making fine cosmetic extracts packed with nourishing, regenerating and smoothing properties.

The highly effective peach extract in VĪTĀLITĀS combines with bioactive peptide, the innovative skin-protecting and re-balancing ingredient, to restore your skin's ecosystem.

At Secretum Gardae we work alongside agronomists and local producers to harvest selected IGP Verona peaches and extract all their natural, anti-ageing properties. The result is a unique serum that protects your skin against allergens, free radicals and pollutants. Suitable for all skin types, VĪTĀLITĀS is a deeply moisturising and effective anti-ageing product.

VINE EXTRACT

From the vineyards of Lake Garda, a precious anti-ageing ally

Sophisticated cosmetic technology and the innate wisdom of nature: in fact, ĂQUA V contains 5 different weights of hyaluronic acid and all the bio-protective properties of Vitis vinifera.

LONG ROWS OF EXCELLENCE

The sought-after viticulture of the area around Lake Garda is one of Italy's jewels in the crown, recognised worldwide for their product quality and environmental sustainability. The grapevine has its remote origins on the shores of Lake Benaco, where the mild climate and the beneficial effects of the lake provide a unique habitat not found anywhere else in the world.

In autumn, just before the end of their annual cycle, vine leaves have unique organoleptic qualities which, when carefully harvested and processed by Secretum Gardae, retain their unique blend of biologically active substances. A natural treasure trove of exceptional ingredients that, when transformed into an extract, adds powerful properties to the formula of ĂQUA V.

EFFECTIVENESS

A blend of phenolic compounds, including flavonols, anthocyanins, tannins, proanthocyanidins and stilbenes (such as resveratrol or viniferins) are the purest, most beneficial components of the vine leaf. These molecules support the beauty and well-being of the most delicate areas of the face, thanks to their proven capacity to protect capillaries. And if free radicals are the cause of 80% of skin ageing, the extract that enhances ĂQUA V provides the best barrier against environmental aggressors. Its antioxidant action fights free radicals and helps maintain the youthful appearance of your skin for years to come.

The maximum concentration of active ingredients is guaranteed by a natural, eco-friendly extract, obtained from a process that uses only untreated leaves, collected after the grape harvest and treated while still fresh.

VĪTĀLITĀS

Helps rebalance the skin’s ecosystem to fight allergens, free radicals and pollutants. Deeply hydrating and anti-ageing, ideal for all skin types.

OUR ADDED VALUE

Peaches are a sweet treasure chest of valuable nutrients including mineral salts, simple sugars, organic acids, vitamins C, A and B, carotenoids and phenolic compounds.

This wealth of micronutrients makes them perfect not only as a food, but also as a natural ingredient used in the production of valuable cosmetic extracts with nourishing, regenerating and smoothing properties. This is why the researchers who work closely with Secretum Garde have made them the key ingredient alongside the exceptional bio-active peptide of VITALITAS.

We have selected only the finest fruit to create our anti-ageing face serum: i.e. Verona IGP peaches. A true 'beauty food' that fully satisfies the desire for natural ingredients that work wonders.

PEACH EXTRACT:

a perfect synthesis of active ingredients and your skin's best ally

Fragrant and juicy, peaches are one of the most popular summer fruits at Lake Garda. What's more, they have specific, highly-effective properties that are beneficial to the body.

For centuries, they have been grown using traditional methods handed down by the farmers of the morainic hills of the lower Veronese Garda area: an area that is given over to peach-growing due to its temperate climate and its very special well-draining soils of fluvioglacial origin.

In June, its lands are blessed with plentiful fruit. The strict regulations governing the way they are grown have allowed them to remain as pure as they were hundreds of years ago and, because of this uniqueness, the Verona peaches enjoy the rarely-awarded European protected designation of origin (P.D.O.).

PŪRITĀS

A multi-active treatment that clears pores from excess sebum, leaving skin smooth and radiant, reducing the “shiny” look.

OUR ADDED VALUE

Lemon is rich in vitamin C, mineral salts, bioflavonoids, citric acid and limonene, all of which are highly beneficial to the skin. Its extract has an astringent, antiseptic, toning and lightening properties and is one of the best natural ingredients for normalising sebaceous secretion, minimising enlarged pores, combating impurities, and treating oily skin and clogged pores.

The ancient settlement of Limone del Garda is famous for the longevity of its inhabitants: a mystery that scientists from all over the world have been studying for decades. We like to think that their secret lies in the yellow fruit grown in the area.

Its extract, used in the formulation of PURITAS face serum works in perfect harmony with the exfoliating and revitalising action of Salicylic Acid, maximising its effectiveness.

LEMON EXTRACT:

a ray of sunshine that purifies and brightens dull skin

Lake Garda holds the record as the northernmost place in the world for growing lemons. It owes this to its exceptional climate and to the inventiveness of the Franciscan friars who, in the late Middle Ages, devised an ingenious method of protecting the plants from the rigours of winter. On well-exposed terraces, supported and protected on three sides by high walls, they built structures on which wooden planks and glass windows were positioned from November to March.
This is how the lemon tree houses came into being: extraordinary monuments of agricultural architecture, found nowhere else, that still today are scattered around the Garda Riviera, preserving centuries-old trees of the Madernina variety, one of the main local crops grown around Lake Garda.

These are medium-sized fruits with a high degree of acidity. The skin, a beautiful citrus yellow colour, is very thin and very fragrant, due to the presence of essential oils and terpenes.
These special quality characteristics make it a product of the highest quality, which our Laboratory has transformed into a valuable cosmetic ingredient.

ĂQUA V

This face serum will leave your skin looking plump and firm, naturally hydrated, and works wonders for wrinkles and fine lines.

OUR ADDED VALUE

With a view to achieving a circular economy and making the most of the local resources, Secretum Gardae carefully harvests the vine leaves and, once the precious extract has been obtained, combines it with the exclusive formula of AQUA V.

Already used in phytotherapy, vine leaves are a unique concentrate of biologically active substances recognised by science for their various beneficial properties. They contain a number of phenolic compounds including flavonols, anthocyanins, tannins, proanthocyanidins and stilbenes (including resveratrol and viniferin): all molecules with a proven ability to protect capillary vessels and to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. As a true antioxidant barrier, they block free radicals, which are responsible for 80% of skin ageing.

The extract is produced using a natural and environmentally friendly process, using only untreated leaves, selected after harvest and processed while still fresh to ensure maximum concentration of active ingredients.

VINE EXTRACT:

from the ancient vineyards of Lake Garda to achieve ageless beauty

The presence of the vine around Lake Garda has remote origins: it found its perfect habitat here in ancient times. The nature of soil, the mild climate and the beneficial influence of the winds from the lake create unique conditions for it to grow. As a result, the finest vines can be found along the shores and on the surrounding hillsides, an expression of the Italian viticulture at its best.

The grapevines of Lake Garda produce wines of exceptional quality, and are a fine example of quintessentially Italian products. But not only that. In autumn, just before the end of their annual cycle, their leaves offer unique sensory qualities.

ŎLĔUM

Anti-ageing face oil for dehydrated skin, replenishes the skin's hydrolipid barrier, combats the signs of ageing and helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

OUR ADDED VALUE

Expert hands remove a few young shoots each year to help the olives ripen. Only then, and not before, do we harvest the leaves, in order to preserve their bioactive molecules. Because we firmly believe in the importance of respecting the natural rhythms of the earth and the value of a circular economy as all those who love and work in harmony with nature know only too well. Once carefully selected, the leaves are quickly transferred and sent for the extraction process. At this point, our consultants patiently wait for the pressing, which consists of intense days and nights in the old mills, from which the emerald green core of the olive eventually oozes out.

From it and from the leaves Secretum Gardae obtains an innovative green extract which enhances the antioxidant action of the already valuable active ingredients of ŎLĔUM. 

This extract has a phytochemical composition of considerable value. In addition to containing proteins, minerals and lipids, olive leaves alone contain a large number of polyphenols, natural compounds with potent antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The most prominent of these is oleuperin, which can be as high as 60-90 mg per gram of leaf.

This explains the secret of our incredibly nourishing anti-ageing face oil.

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT:

from ancient millstones, an elixir of well-being

Not only the fruit, but also the leaves of the olive tree are a natural synthesis of beneficial substances. And the olive groves of Lake Garda, the rarest and northernmost in the world, have always been evidence of this.

Exceptional organoleptic properties, very low acidity, light and aromatic: Lake Garda extra virgin P.D.O. olive oil needs no introduction. The whole area is synonymous with well-being and the prevention of serious illnesses. Its leaves, ripened in the warm Italian sun and nourished by dark soil and Alpine water springs, remain on the tree and are enriched until their precious branches are pruned.

PRECIOUS OLIVE OIL

Mediterranean gold, Lake Garda quality

ŎLĔUM face oil contains a balanced blend of vegetable oils including Lake Garda PDO EVO oil expertly produced by a local farm according to strict organic farming principles that respect the traditions of the area of origin.

OLIVE OIL: QUALITY AND TRADITION

Olive oil has been an integral part of human history for thousands of years and is inextricably linked to the history of the Mediterranean civilisation. Already in antiquity, it was considered nature's most precious gift, and was used (as well as a condiment) as a cosmetic with unrivalled emollient, moisturising and soothing properties.

In Egyptian culture, olive oil was a precious ingredient for haircare and to combat the appearance of wrinkles.  The Greeks used it to rub on the bodies of athletes, as did the Romans, who called olive oil treatments 'beauty baths' and used it to treat skin irritations, burns and wounds.

Since then, interest in the cosmetic use of olive oil has never waned. Today, scientific research has confirmed the extraordinary qualities that have always been attributed to it, recognising it as one of the leading noble oils.

EFFECTIVENESS

A true elixir of beauty, it is regarded as one of the best vegetable oils used in the cosmetics industry. This is thanks to its extraordinary chemical composition, 98-99% of which consists of a saponifiable fraction made up of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that make the skin supple and radiant, and 1-2% of an unsaponifiable fraction made up of a large group of minor components (around 220 substances) belonging to different categories. It is composed of hydrocarbons, sterols, steroids, phenols, polyphenols, squalene, chlorophyll and various vitamins: a blend of bioactive substances that are useful in inhibiting the oxidation process of cells and in combating free radicals, considered one of the main causes of skin ageing.

However, not all olive oils have the same chemical and organoleptic characteristics. The distribution of fatty acids and the composition of the constituents of the unsaponifiable fraction depend on the climatic and geographical conditions in which the olive trees are grown, the type of cultivation techniques used and the extraction method.

But in the case of ŎLĔUM, our researchers wanted to go even further, adding the precious antioxidant properties of olive leaves: the bounty of nature at the service of your beauty.

EFFECTIVE BIOACTIVE PEPTIDE

The innovative microbiome-friendly ingredient 

VĪTĀLITĀS protects the skin from allergens, free radicals and pollutants. The innovative peptide derived from Lactobacillus Ferment plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our skin's microbial balance.

MICROBIOME BALANCE

The skin is the largest organ of the human body: it covers the entire surface of the body and forms a multi-layered interface with the external environment. This is why the skin is our body's first line of defence. A large number of bacteria, fungi (especially yeasts) and viruses reside on the surface of our body which make up the skin's microbiome, and are essential for protecting the skin from colonisation by pathogenic micro-organisms, stimulating the skin's immune system and helping to maintain the correct pH balance.

The interaction between the human host and the microbiome is symbiotic, i.e. mutually beneficial: the host provides a nutrient-rich habitat and the microbiome provides elements beneficial to its health. Over the course of a lifetime, however, the microbiome can change, moving from a state of balance between different micro-organisms ('eubiosis') to one of imbalance ('dysbiosis'). The factors responsible for this include: diet, lifestyle, medication, inappropriate personal care products and exposure to irritants and/or allergens.

An imbalance in the microbiome affects the health of your skin, making it more susceptible to the damaging effects of external stressors such as UV rays and pollution, slowing down its renewal processes and exposing it to bacterial and fungal attack.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR BIOACTIVE PEPTIDE

As a result, biotechnological research has made significant strides in developing highly targeted molecules to enhance the skin’s defence system by promoting the balance of the microbiome. These include Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, used in VĪTĀLITĀS face serum, an innovative bioactive peptide consisting of a short amino acid sequence. A 'microbiome-friendly' active ingredient that immediately delivered excellent results in both in-vivo and in-vitro tests due to its high level of efficacy.

In addition, clinical studies on volunteers have confirmed its ability to strengthen cell cohesion and reduce transepidermal water loss, resulting in a strong and effective skin barrier function. In addition, specific in-vitro tests have demonstrated the effectiveness of the bioactive peptide in promoting the function of beneficial bacteria on keratinocytes, activating the skin's immune system, promoting the function of long-chain ceramides, the skin's natural lipids (which are the backbone of our skin’s barrier), and finally improving the skin’s ability to resist the aggression of surfactants.

Finally, all the beneficial properties of peach extract are added to potent formula for enhancing well-being in VĪTĀLITĀS. A panacea against allergens, free radicals and pollutants. For all skin types, focusing on deep hydration and anti-ageing.

SALICYLIC ACID

Smooths the skin and fights impurities, using natural ingredients

The innovative formula of the PŪRITĀS face serum contains micro-encapsulated salicylic acid in an oligomeric compound that guarantees its perfect absorption and makes it highly tolerable.

WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID?

Salicylic acid is a member of the beta-hydroxy acid family and takes its name from the willow tree from which it was originally extracted. Known for its capacity to relieve pain and reduce fever, salicylic acid has the perfect acidity to provide excellent results in cosmetic and dermatological treatments when used topically.

EFFECTIVENESS

The main function of salicylic acid is keratolytic: in the right concentration, it has the capacity to selectively break the bonds between keratin molecules (the protein that characterises dead cells on the surface of the skin), resulting in the thinning of the stratum corneum. This powerful exfoliating action unclogs pores and restores the skin's radiance, firmness and vitality.

This immediate and superficial effect is also associated with a deeper regenerative action thanks to the stimulation of skin cell turnover, which is very useful in cases of hyperpigmentation and photoaging.

Thinning the stratum corneum also improves the absorption of other active ingredients, such as those that moisturise and nourish the skin. When, when used in combination with hyaluronic acid, for example, it is perfect for restoring the skin's natural moisture and elasticity.

Finally, as confirmed by the latest scientific studies, salicylic acid, the key ingredient in the formulation of our PŪRITĀS face serum, has soothing, antiseptic, healing and sebum-regulating properties: characteristics that make it an extraordinary remedy for those with combination or oily skin, or for those with blackheads or pimples.

THE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

The super molecule for hydrating the skin

The ĂQUA V face serum owes its extraordinary hydrating power to an innovative multi-molecular complex consisting of 5 distinct weights of hyaluronic acid: very high, high, medium, low and very low.

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide (a sugar polymer) that is naturally produced by our body and is widely found in our skin, both in the epidermis and the dermis. It was discovered in 1934, when two biochemists from Columbia University in New York, Karl Meyer and John W. Palmer, first isolated it in bovine vitreous humour.

Since then, this extraordinary molecule has been the subject of numerous studies highlighting its fundamental role in many biological processes, including collagen production, hydration and skin regeneration. Scientific evidence has led to it becoming an important ingredient in both cosmetics and dermatology.

EFFECTIVENESS

Synthesised using advanced technologies that make it perfectly biocompatible, it is a valuable active ingredient for moisturising the skin and giving skin tissue strength, firmness and density. Hyaluronic acid is highly effective thanks to its ability to attract and retain moisture in the extracellular space.

As we age, the production of endogenous hyaluronic acid decreases and the skin begins to lose its ability to retain moisture, leading to gradual dehydration, reduced firmness and elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles. Introducing products containing hyaluronic acid into your beauty routine can therefore help to compensate for the skin's physiological deficiency.

However, a word of caution: for best results, it is essential that the formula is properly balanced and contains multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, as in the ĂQUA V face serum. This is the only way to ensure the required multi-level action and the desired moisturising, plumping and revitalising results. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid in particular, thanks to its small size, penetrates the deepest layers of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen, elastin and endogenous hyaluronic acid. These are all essential substances that contribute to better hydration, elasticity and firmness of the skin. Medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid interacts with water in the middle/surface layers of the epidermis, while high molecular weight hyaluronic acid forms a delicate film on the surface of the skin, which plays a vital role in retaining water to achieve the desired lifting effect.