Eucerin Singapore contacted me on running a charity sale on its 13,000 fans’ Facebook page to donate 20 per cent. of the sales proceeds to Singapore’s first eczema fund for low income patients (a fund that is initiated by my donation and administered by the Asthma Association). I wanted to find out more about Eucerin, especially when I read that it has a product that’s inspired by a Nobel-prize discovery. In this interview, Marcie Mom catches up with Royston Ho, Brand Manager of Eucerin Singapore to find out more about its products, particularly its benefits to children with eczema.
First: A Company with a Long History
I’ve seldom seen a skincare company that has such a long history and it is a pleasant surprise to see a product that’s started by a doctor (Dr. Lifschutz) in 1900 with the same properties that we’d want in a good skincare product today – stable, smooth, not irritate but to protect and care. Eucerin is a brand under Beiersdorf AG, an international company based in Hamburg, Germany, that has 21,000 employees worldwide and has other brands such as Nivea and Hansaplast.
MarcieMom: Royston, do you think that having more than 100 years of history help Beiersdorf produce a better product? Does Beiersdorf continually reformulate its product based on clients’ feedback, clinical trials and the latest list of allergens?
Royston: Yes, in fact Eucerin owns the largest skin research centre in Hamburg, Germany and we employ 650 international scientists at our research facilities to ensure that the products work on human skin before they are being introduced commercially worldwide. Certain products are also reformulated and improved from time to time using after numerous clinical testings and using quality pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Our long history of 111 years and counting is testimony to the efficacy of the products that has benefitted generations with varied skin concerns.
Medical Skin Science that Shows
MarcieMom: I read the message by K. Hannig, Corporate Vice President of Beiersdorf, that Eucerin is ‘Medical Skin Science that Shows’. Some terms used in her message include ‘highest dermatological standards’, ‘active ingredients’ and ‘clinical proof’. Can you explain the above terms, in particular, the activities or initiatives Beiersdorf take to ensure that its product lives up to these terms.
Royston: Eucerin products are able to claim highest dermatological standards as the products are formulated by dermatologists for dermatologists to recommend to patients. We undergo numerous clinical trials at our labs to ensure that the safety and efficacy of our products. Active ingredients are components in our skincare products which provide some pharmaceutical value, these ingredients are literally “active,” performing a specific function upon application. We will choose the right active ingredients and are trying thousands of different combinations to establish which set of ingredients would be the best in terms of efficacy and tolerability. All skincare products undergo clinical testing and we will do it before we launch any new product.
Database of Ingredients
One feature that I love about Eucerin’s website is its Ingredients Database. Ingredients are listed from A to Z, and you can click to see which of Eucerin’s product contains and which does not contain a particular ingredient. For this to be useful, a parent or consumer would have to be able to read the product label and understand what are the ingredients that can help eczema or which should be avoided. Also, if a patch test has been taken (suitable for older children and adults), then it would be easy to avoid a product that contains ingredients tested allergic to.
MarcieMom: Royston, one of the ingredients that I read with interest is gluco-glycerol, an active ingredient used in your product that can stimulate the formation of aquaporin channel, that helps to transport water and increase moisture in the skin. Which of your products contains gluco-glycerol and is this clinically tested to be suitable for children with eczema, i.e. moisturizing their skin with reduced likelihood of allergen?
Royston: Aquaporin is an amazing moisturizer, for hydration, but it does not contain ingredients like Omega 6 acids and Licochalcone that alleviate the symptoms of eczema such as itching, scaling etc. Aquaporin will help as a very good emollient and help in terms of moisturizing but for a more holistic care of Eczema, the product will have to do more than just hydration. The effects of this moisturising cream is amazing as it helps in facilitating moisture ions between different layers of skin cells through the stimulation and opening up of more water channels in your skin.
Suitable for Eczema Children
MarcieMom: I noted that Eucerin has a product, Eucerin Soothing Lotion 12% Omega, that specifically states for Eczema and is suitable for babies above 3 months old. What are the key ingredients in this product that makes it suitable for children with eczema?
Royston: The main reason for dry and Eczema skin is a defect of skin’s barrier function which results from a deficit of natural moisturising factors and a lack of lipids, essential for a stable barrier function, which also protects from moisture loss. Impaired barrier function leads to dryness, redness, itch and sometimes even inflammation.
Eucerin Soothing Lotion 12% Omega, specially developed for the needs of dry, reddened, itching and inflamed skin, contains highly concentrated Omega-6 fatty acids from natural Evening Primose Oil and Grape Seed Oil, and Licochalcone, an anti-inflammatory agent extracted from the licorice root.
Omega-6 fatty acids replenish the skin with lipids. The damaged skin barrier is strengthened and the trans-epidermal water loss normalised; Licochalcone reduces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory agents responsible for the skin’s inflammation and redness.
You can expect intense hydration, reduced itchiness, redness and tightness long lastingly. This product is suitable for adults and children above 3 months old and is fragrance, colourant and lanolin free. It can also be used on both face and body.
MarcieMom: Thanks so much Royston for helping us understand Beiersdorf and Eucerin, and as always, an insightful interview helps parents with eczema children learn how to evaluate products their children use.
Note: I didn’t receive any money from the above for this interview, and any monies raised from the charity drive goes directly to the eczema fund through Asthma Association.
