Millions of American adults and children, 32 million in fact, suffer from eczema. Regardless of age, those suffering from this skin condition can experience serious consequences directly linked to the condition’s symptoms. The disease can cause a psychological and social lack of well-being resulting from disturbed sleep, have effects on family-life and lead to an overall feeling of helplessness. Those that suffer are in constant search for relief, and though it offers a momentary solution, scratching may further irritate and disrupt the skin barrier. This can lead to the “itch scratch cycle” that health care providers try to relieve.
 
La Roche-Posay debuted a revolutionary approach in the treatment of dry skin and eczema on Nov. 14 at Haven’s Kitchen in New York City. Expert dermatologists Dr. Whitney Bowe and Dr. Bradford Katchen presented findings on the treatment of this delicate skin condition while Adrien Dissouss, assistant vice president of marketing at L'Oréal, unveiled new products from the company and explained the leading components used in the new SKUs that are reaching stores.
 
Already a leader in microbiome research, La Roche-Posay is expanding upon its findings to explore the implications for eczema. For example, earlier this year, the brand published research that linked a balance of bacteria within the microbiome to healthy skin. This led to the launch of the Toleriane Double Repair moisturizers, formulated with a high concentration of Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water, which create a healthy environment to support a diverse skin microbiome. Now, the brand has introduced additional findings which confirm that targeting the microbiome can greatly impact eczema patients’ skin to not only treat symptoms, but protect against future flare ups.
 
“Many people don’t realize the long-term psychological and social impact that atopic dermatitis can have. It truly affects the whole family when a child is afflicted. Twenty percent of children are affected by atopic dermatitis, with 85% of cases being diagnosed below the age of five,” said Dr. Bowe, who specializes in skin rejuvenation and nutrition and is medical director of intergrative dermatology, aesthetics and wellness at Advanced Dermatology in New York City. “The condition’s prevalence has doubled over the past 50 years which is why it’s so important for us, as dermatologists, to understand how the microbiome can be modified to treat the condition beyond just temporary relief. Knowledge of the microbiome in healthy and unhealthy skin helps us devise strategies needed to target and restore barrier function, truly improving patients’ quality of life.”
 
Regarding the new products, Bowe added, “It’s all about balancing the skin, a diverse rainforest of bacteria. The thermal water acts as a prebiotic.”
 
Bowe noted that La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water has a unique mineral composition which serves as a healthy environment for a diverse group of bacteria that take up space where other potentially harmful bacteria could populate.
 
During the event, Soho-based celebrity dermatologist Dr. Bradford Katchen, shared the “quality of life improving” mission of an eight year-old with eczema. Did you know that 28 million patients in the US have atopic dermatitis? Katchen revealed a video about a young girl who travelled all the way from the US to France for a “natural approach” to her eczema at the LRP Center.
 
“This water rich in minerals promotes diversity in the skin microbiome,” noted Katchen about the treatments.
 
Every year, thousands of patients, many of whom are children, come to the La Roche-Posay Thermal Center in France to experience the benefits of their Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water in the treatment of eczema. This year, the brand sponsored one family with a child affected by eczema for treatment. They traveled to the La-Roche-Posay Thermal Center where she experienced balneotherapy (water-based dermatology treatment), which is shown to help balance the skin microbiome by increasing Xanthomonas and reducing Staphylococcus.
 
To provide patients with treatments at home, L’Oréal Advanced Research began using Vitreoscilla Filiformis in skin care more than 25 years ago, which significantly reduces the frequency and severity of dry skin flare-ups. La Roche-Posay took the discovery further by introducing the bacteria within its prebiotic Thermal Water, using its renowned anti-irritating and soothing properties to develop a new patented ingredient, Aqua Posae Filiformis.
 
This component strengthens and boosts skin’s immunity by helping to re-establish the microbiome’s diversity and soothes irritation and stimulates skin’s defense to prevent entry of pathogenic agents responsible for new bouts of irritation.
 
As a result of the development of Aqua Posae Filiformis and the brand’s unparalleled dedication to improving the quality of life among patients with sensitive skin, La Roche Posay is proud to introduce a revolutionary approach in the treatment of dry skin and eczema, three new Lipikar body moisturizers. The line is clinically shown to reduce dry, rough skin and help rebalance the skin microbiome, thus significantly reducing the life altering symptoms of eczema, including loss of sleep, stress and low self-esteem.
 
According to more than 125 million Lipikar products have been sold in Europe.
 
Lipikar offers a full line of body moisturizers for all skin types. The new launches include: Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Moisturizing Cream For Extra Dry Skin; Lipikar Lotion Daily Repair For Normal to Dry Skin; and Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream For Targeted Eczema Breakouts.  According to Dissouss, key components include Aqua Posae Filiformis that provides two-fold action on the two causes of eczema prone skin; La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water that contains prebiotic ingredients that act as a beneficial source to the skin microbiome; niacinamide, which immediately soothes by stimulating the skin’s natural defenses against irritating agents; and shea butter and glycerin that replenish lipids naturally while soothing the skin.
 
Recommended by more than 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, La Roche-Posay is clearly maintaining its position as a leader in sensitive skin care around the globe.
 
“This product delivers on its promises,” said Dissouss. “It reduces incidents of eczema flareups by two times with its high concentration of prebiotic water. We are really excited to bring this revolution to the US market in 2018!”
 
More info: www.laroche-posay.us