Chanel has revealed their new No.1 beauty collection – and we've got the inside scoop

It's not often that a beauty product has to be given its own secret code name while in production, but for Chanel, that's exactly what happened for their latest collection, which is being revealed today after years under lock and key. The collection includes skincare, makeup and perfume, all of which fuse science, colour and scent with a new focus on sustainability. 

As for the real name?  No.1 De Chanel – a play on the brand's iconic No.5 franchise, which has been a bestseller for over 100 years. But can the new collection possibly live up to its big sister's legacy? After all, that's some pretty big beauty boots to fill. 

We've had an exclusive preview of the entire Chanel No.1 Collection to find out everything you need to know so you can decide for yourself… 

There's a good selection of products

Rather than just launching a fragrance, No.1 incorporates makeup and skincare as well as a fragrance mist for a more comprehensive collection. There's a substantial skincare offering, including an innovative waterless powder cleanser, a toning lotion and a serum, as well as a few useful multipurpose products that are great to pop in your handbag (for example, the cute cheek and lip balm and the serum-in-mist that hydrates skin as well as protects and refreshes). 

They're making environmental changes for the better

Luxury beauty isn't exactly known for being particularly sustainable, but we were pleased to see that Chanel's new collection has made a number of changes along the production line which have the environment in mind. The weight of the jars and bottles has been reduced, 80% of the product packing in the range are made of glass, the use of plastics is limited, especially single use ones such as cellophane and paper leaflets have been removed. Most of the product line lids contain recycled or bio-sourced materials and the cream's lid incorporates camellia seed shell to reduce waste by upcycling plant-based leftovers. Sure, there's still some way to go, but it's a step in the right direction.

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There's some pretty impressive science 

Besides from having a catchy name and some shelfy-worthy products, No.1 de Chanel also calls upon some pretty impressive science. Working with Professor Johannes Grillari from BOKU University, Chanel scientists began studying the process of senescence, which inspired every single product in the range. “Most of the cells in the body can divide a limited number of times (usually, around 50 times), but senescent cells stop dividing but are not eliminated, so they remain in the body, which is why some scientists call them the zombie cells," explains  explains Nicola Fuzzati, head of Active Ingredient Development and Innovation Department for Chanel Research.

Using very specific models in their lab to mimic the first steps of senescence, the team were able to put various our plant actives to the test, including Red Camellia, which they had been studying since 1995. “We found that red camellia could prevent the onset of senescence, even in a stressful environment, and enhance skin vitality by 67%,” says Nicola.