A range of anti-ageing creams which 'trick' human skin cells into regenerating is expected to be launched this year in the UK.
The products, designed to smooth out wrinkles and repair damaged skin, have been designed by experts in 'glycobiology', the science of using naturally occurring sugars to improve health.
L'Oreal hopes its attempt to harness the technology, registered as Glycanactif, will prove a popular addition to the multi-billion dollar cosmetics market.
Artificial chemicals have been developed to mimic the behaviour of natural ones which penetrate the surface and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
These natural chemicals become less active with age, so it is hoped the cream will cause a manufactured stimulus to improve the condition and appearance of the skin. Peter Seeberger, a director at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, who has been working with L'Oreal on the project, said: 'The research has shown clear beneficial biochemical changes [to skin quality].
