Warning About Common Over-The-Counter Acne Ingredients

US FDA Issues a Warning About Common Over-The-Counter Acne Ingredients

Hamilton, New Zealand - As the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a warning around common acne products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, a new clinically proven product, developed in New Zealand is offering a safe and effective alternative approach to managing acne and problem skin.

The FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication on June 25th, 2014, which warned both consumers and health care professionals that the topical application of over-the-counter acne products with active ingredients that include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide could trigger rare yet potentially serious hypersensitivity reactions and even potentially life-threatening allergic reactions requiring immediate medical attention. (These reactions should not be confused, however, with the more common side-effects such as dryness, itching, burning, peeling, redness and slight swelling.)

“There is currently no mention of the possibility of these very severe allergic reactions on the product labels,” said Mona Khurana, M.D., a medical officer with the FDA, “It’s important that consumers know about them, and that they know what to do if they occur.”, She advises consumers who have had a previous allergic reaction or hypersensitivity-related adverse reactions to avoid using the salicylic acid- or benzoyl peroxide-based product altogether and in case they are using it for the first time and start developing itching, hives or other potentially severe allergic reactions, to stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention.

Fortunately for consumers, there is a New Zealand developed and clinically proven alternative. After seven years of rigorous research and testing, Hamilton-based company, Quantec Personal Care Ltd, launched Epiology Skincare in April 2014, into New Zealand Pharmacies. Its patented, active ingredient is a totally natural complex of bioactive enzymes and proteins from milk, according to Grant Washington-Smith, manager of Quantec Personal Care and Epiology,

The company believes that this breakthrough skincare product is a world first in its category and represents an entirely new approach to treating acne and problem skin. Epiology has been clinically proven to fight acne, reduce redness and bring back a clearer and brighter complexion; Faster.

In 2012, the Epiology cream, containing a unique and patented complex of bioactive enzymes and proteins was tested in a US clinical trial in subjects with mild to moderate acne. This study showed that Epiology out-performed a leading US pharmacy brand that contained 2% salicylic acid, in overall improvement in acne reduction and clearer brighter skin, within just six weeks.

“Overall, the clinical trial results demonstrated the benefits Epiology Anti-Acne cream as a new approach for managing acne prone skin” said Washington-Smith, “The study also showed Epiology Anti-Acne cream was particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin.”

Consumers can find out if an acne product contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid by looking at the active Ingredient(s) section of the label on the product package.

-ENDS-

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