I clearly remember my first pair of Birkenstock sandals. I had heard so much about them and felt I was missing out on something by not having a pair for myself. It was a classic two-strap Arizona in a rich shade of brown. Initially, the contoured cork footbed felt very stiff and somewhat strange as I had never worn Birkenstocks before, and I wondered if I had made a mistake! But since I was determined to make it work, I started puttering around in those around the house and realised that the footbed began softening and contouring itself to suit my foot and its shape. I was impressed with the magical ability of the cork oak bed that softened with use and took the contours of my foot. There was no looking back and I had them for 15 years and discarded the pair reluctantly when I got a new pair in bright orange!
Recently I popped into the store and was pleasantly surprised to see the latest styles with a bit of bling and crocodile leather finishes! The latest addition to their repertoire is natural skincare, because why not?
The humble cork that had been supporting my stride for all these years had the magical ability to rejuvenate skin too! You read that right! Birkenstock now has a hand and foot care range that was launched recently!
At the heart of this innovative line of hand and foot care products is the same raw material that is also a key component of the legendary footbed: natural cork.
Cork – or, to be more precise, the extract taken from the outer layer of the bark of the cork oak – plays a key role in the new BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE range. A highly effective extract is obtained from the outer layer of the bark, and this multi-active cork oak complex stimulates the skin’s collagen formation, reduces redness of the skin and is effective against free radicals.
The key active ingredients are:
Menthol – for its cooling, moisturizing and toning properties.
Avocado- for its cell regenerative properties and natural light protection.
Elderberries – hydrates and improves skin elasticity making it supple.
Jojoba – prevents skin ageing, making it supple and soft.
ANTI-AGING HERO
It has been proven that the substance which gives the natural resource cork its special elasticity has, when used in the cosmetics industry, an anti-aging effect. On the basis of these findings, a multi-active cork oak complex was developed exclusively for BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE. It stimulates cell renewal, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and thus improves the skin’s ability to store moisture.
BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE products are vegan and based on selected ingredients and innovative active ingredient concepts that maintain your skin’s health while additionally caring for it and having a targeted effect. All ingredients and formulas are subject to stringent tests. Their effectiveness and skin tolerance have been scientifically confirmed by independent institutes.
The range uses renewable raw materials, such as natural cork, and recyclable packaging.
HAND AND FOOT CARE
A pampering experience for hands and feet
The four vegan heroes of their HAND AND FOOT CARE stimulate the natural protective functions, make stressed feet fresh and fit, provide stressed hands with an extra dose of moisture and protect them against drying out. The multi-active cork oak complex exclusively developed for BIRKENSTOCK stimulates cell renewal, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and increases the skin’s moisture level.
MOISTURIZING FOOT BALM moisturizes and nurtures and protects rough and dry feet. It has Avocado that stimulates cell regeneration.
AED 89
COOLING FOOT CREAM cools and refreshes tired feet while moisturizing them. Contains menthol for the toning effect.
AED 89
NOURISHING LEG AND FOOT OIL nurtures and hydrates stressed feet and legs after a long day! Contains Elderberry seed oil to protect and improves the skin’s elasticity.
AED 119
MOISTURIZING HAND AND NAIL CREAM smooths and regenerates the skin barrier and has Jojoba that helps to nourish and soften the skin.
AED 89
The best of it all: cork is a renewable resource. No tree has to be chopped down for the extraction. Once it has been gently peeled, the cork layer regenerates itself. The tree sustains no damage.
From the roots to the crown, the cork oak is an ecological marvel. One special characteristic of the gnarly tree, which is around 60 million years old, is its unique ability to regenerate its bark.
However, cork oak forests are not only immensely important for humans. They also make a valuable contribution to the protection of biodiversity because they constitute a safe habitat for many animal species. Moreover, the biotopes regulate the water cycle, protect the soil and constitute a natural protection against fire.
About BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE
The cork oak is at the heart of BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE. The multi-active cork oak complex which was especially developed for the brand is a 100% natural, active organic lipid complex which is obtained from the extraction from the cork oak as well as coconut oil. It stimulates cell renewal, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and increases skin moisture. It thereby uses the cork oak’s incredible ability to regenerate its bark.