The Katafray is a tree found across Madagascar, and its elegant silhouette is a common sight in the arid forests of the south and west of the Grande Ile. Its light-coloured wood is as resistant as ebony and widely used in local building. In traditional Madagascan medicine, a drink prepared from the bark is reputed to have tonic and febrifuge benefits and its essential oil is known for its fortifying and soothing actions. It was recently discovered that Katafray bark extract helps improve the quality of the corneal layer and encourages the skin's natural hydration mechanisms. The extract used by Clarins Laboratories – developed exclusively for the brand – is obtained through a process which preserves the biodiversity of the tropical forests, as part of a programme of fair trade.