Retinol, retreat! Or, perhaps temporarily slink into the shady, skin care shadows. Thanks to the new Chaperone range by Danish beauty brand Beaute Pacifique, 5-ALA (5-Aminolevulinic Acid) is stepping into its main character era. Not as just another anti-ageing formula, but as the kind of heroine in the horror story of tired skin, that takes on the evils of fine lines, and banishes the “zombie cells” that haunt our complexions.
Banishing the Undead
Beauty journalists often describe a radiant complexion as “lit from within.” And, with 5-ALA, this analogy is more than metaphor but a literal, biological fact. Harnessing the energy of the sun itself and enlisting that most feared aggressor of the skin as an ally, this amino acid works as an exorcist, rekindling the lamps of weary cells while casting out those beyond repair.
To understand why 5-ALA has been embraced by even the most sceptical and cynical clear skin searcher, imagine your skin as a grand manor house. In youth, every chamber glows with warmth, powered by tiny lanterns called mitochondria. But, over the years, the lights begin to flicker. Entire rooms fall dark. And, in the shadows, something lingers. Scientists call them senescent cells. Beauty editors whisper about “zombie cells.” Neither alive nor dead, they haunt the skin, sending toxic signals that spread decay like mould creeping through the walls.
By rekindling the dying lights, 5-ALA restores life to the failing rooms. And, in a twist worthy of a horror tale, wields daylight itself as a weapon. Once an enemy of the skin, sunlight is actually transformed into an ally, fuelling the fight against the undead. While this may sound like the plot of a horror film, zombie cells are a scientific reality. Left unchecked, they multiply like a dark evil, infecting their neighbours with whispers of fatigue. But 5-ALA is like a merciless exorcist. Some of the cursed are revived, their light rekindled. Others are cast out, leaving the house cleansed and ready for the new. It is not merely rejuvenation – it is a purge, a haunting undone.
The Exorcist’s Chaperone
Of course, no heroine defeats the horror alone. And, Beaute Pacifique’s new (vegan, fragrance-free) Chaperone collection is built not only around 5-ALA, but also a patented Chaperone peptide — a breakthrough that deserves star billing of its own.
This innovation pairs the growth factor EGF with a special peptide that acts like a delivery system, guiding it deep into the skin where it can actually get to work. By improving penetration at a cellular level, the Chaperone peptide makes EGF far more effective — boosting collagen production, accelerating repair, and leaving skin stronger and visibly renewed.
Beyond 5-ALA: A Cast of Supporting Heroes
Other key ingredients in the new Chaperone range include:
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract. An algae extract from the French coast that targets senescent cells, reducing their number and supporting the regeneration of new, healthy cells.
DNA Repair Enzymes (OGG-1 and Photolyase). Delivered in liposomes, these enzymes accelerate the skin’s natural repair cycle from 24 hours to around 2 hours, allowing UV damage to be corrected more quickly, particularly overnight.
Rooibos Leaf Extract. An antioxidant-rich extract from South Africa that provides hydration, calms the skin, and strengthens its resilience against environmental stressors.
Chlorella Vulgaris & Dunaliella Salina Extracts. Algae-derived ingredients that mimic the effects of Vitamin A to improve skin tone and texture, while protecting collagen from damage caused by sugar and sun exposure.
Skin care sorcery? Not exactly. Because, with both 5-ALA and a namesake patented peptide at its core, Chaperone’s magic is rooted in science, ready to give your complexion a spellbinding new lease on life.