Published On:Tuesday, August 10, 2010

By CARA BRENNEN-BETHEL

Tribune Features Editor

BAHAMIANS have always enjoyed the tangy delicious taste of sea grapes, without realising that the leaves of the plant contain some of the most sought after anti aging properties in the world.

Now the benefits of the sea grape leaf can be experienced by women in a new line of beauty and skin care products called Paris Bahamas-which marries the natural benefits of one of this country's most familiar plants with the science of one of Europe's most prestigious centers for beauty and fashion.

German born Christiane Wesche, the CEO of Paris Bahamas explained that she was inspired to explore the benefits of the sea grape after hearing about the medicinal qualities found in native bushes from her Bahamian boyfriend's father. She meet her boyfriend while on a trip to China and now commutes between Nassau and Paris.

She was intrigued as she had worked in the beauty industry for 11 years as a marketing executive for the prestigious Coty Inc in France which produces health and beauty products and perfumes all over the world.

"I thought if they are so good for the body, then they must be good for the skin."

This led her to partner with a French research facility to explore the benefits of a number of Bahamian plants with astonishing conclusions.

"After a year and a half of research we found that the leaves of the sea grape contain an extremely high percentage of anti- oxidants."

Anti- oxidants are substances which prevent or slow down the oxidative damage to the body, particularly in the skin countering the damage down from sun exposure or lack of sleep. They can reduce the risk of cancer and slow down the overall aging effects on the skin.

"The most powerful ranking that we have for fruits containing anti- oxidants are the Goji Berry which contain 146 moles -moles are the unit of measurement that they are measured in. Well, sea grape leaves have a measurement of 195 moles."

Ms Wesche said that tests of the Poncianna seed pod also revealed that they contain a strong anti- inflammatory benefit which offset the affects of exposure to sun and pollution.

"So when you combine the two, what you end up with is a powerful combination that has both anti aging qualities while at the same anti- inflammatory properties to regenerate skin."

The Paris Bahamas skin care line features five products- a face cream called Heaven on Earth, a body cream called Feel the Breeze, a lip balm called Ready to Smile, a shimmering skin oil called Sun Glow and a perfume called Sun Ocean which also has hints of Frangipani, coconut and vanilla. There is also a foot and body scrub called Walk on the Beach which contains authentic Bahamian pink sand. The perfume is created in the Bahamas and then packaged in France whereas for the other products, the raw elements are sent to the lab in France, and then packaged and shipped back to this country.

Ms Wesche drew heavily on her marketing experience to package the line. Each container features a lid filled with pink sand and a tropical logo with clean sleek lines.

"We wanted it to have the feel of the island but to also indicate that it is a high end beauty product."

To date, the Paris Bahamas products have attracted quite a following particularly at a media event at the Printemps Department Store ( considered the Harrods of Paris) attended by some of the top fashion and beauty journalists. It is being sold at a number of stores in France and in the Bahamas including: Cole's of Nassau, John Bull, Valentine's in Harbour Island, Breezes, Sandals, Club Med, Stella Maris and Cape Santa Maria and in the Sir Lynden Pindling Airport.

"I think that a lot of persons buy it in the Bahamas, because it makes a great souvenir that is practical, but then they can keep the bottle afterward, and in France, they buy it because they associate it with the beach and being on holiday and then when we explained the qualities the products contain, they are more interested."

Miss Wesche said that she is hopeful that the product will appeal to Bahamians interested in using ingredients found in their own backyards for their health.