In 1987, Swiss skin care company La Prairie wanted to introduce a luxury beauty product and capitalize on a market that was rebounding from the recession that had plagued the global economy in the early part of the decade. They decided on a caviar-based product, which they could market as something rare and luxurious-sounding and which could (according to their research) boost firmness and moisture in skin cells. That year, they launched Skin Caviar Dermo Beads—pearls packed with caviar extract—and this fall, La Prairie is celebrating the 25th anniversary of a line that now includes caviar eye cream, makeup and other goods.
To mark the collection’s 25th birthday, La Prairie will introduce a limited-edition Caviar Cristal edition this month, which comes in a jewel-adorned case and retails for a whopping $1,100. But 25 is an important number for other reasons, according to Rodger Bogardus, research and development expert at La Prairie. “At the age of 25, your skin is in the best condition it’s ever been in and it’s all downhill from there,” he says. “Skin has matured and it takes longer to recover from stressful situations.” Longer, and if Caviar Cristal is any indication, at a higher price point, too.