New natural approach for managing eczema Cardiff-based skincare company Curapel has developed and recently launched pellamex, a daily food supplement containing natural ingredients, which offers a new way of managing eczema and dry or sensitive skin.
The outer surface of the skin, known as the epidermis, consists of multiple layers. In the deepest layer of the epidermis, new skin cells are made and then gradually move up towards the surface where they are shed off. This is how the skin regenerates.
In one of the highest layers of the epidermis, skin cells produce a protein called filaggrin. This vital protein helps to bundle up the tough keratin filaments in the top layer of the epidermis that provide a strong, protective skin barrier. After aggregating keratin filaments, the filaggrin breaks down naturally into free amino acids, which are major components of the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF). The NMF keeps skin hydrated and maintains the essential acidity of the outermost layer of the epidermis, which provides another line of defence against bacteria and other microorganisms.
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UK Lifescience Industry Magazine
Some people are unable to produce enough filaggrin, which means that they have a weaker skin barrier and are more likely to suffer from dry and sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, xerosis and ichthyosis. In addition to their skin barrier not functioning as well as it should do, their NMF is insufficient, further impacting their skin’s natural protection. pellamex, developed and patented by Curapel, presents a new way of managing dry, sensitive and eczemaprone skin. As opposed to a cream or an ointment, pellamex is a food supplement which comes in 25ml sachets to be taken daily. Made using naturally occurring ingredients, including a crucial building block of filaggrin, the supplement is designed to strengthen the epidermis from the inside, making it less susceptible to dryness, reddening and cracking on the surface. Therefore it targets the root of the skin problem rather than simply firefighting the symptoms. Published clinical testing showed that pellamex reduced eczema symptoms by 40 per cent in just one month, which is equivalent to the effect of a mid-potency steroid cream but with none of the side effects associated with corticosteroid use. The main active ingredient in the supplement is an amino acid that is necessary for the skin to produce
filaggrin. This ingredient enables a strong skin barrier to be restored, for better preservation of moisture and protection against microorganisms, irritants and pollutants. The amino acid in the supplement is also part of the NMF, so it keeps the skin hydrated when it reaches the uppermost layers. Additionally the supplement contains Vitamins B2, B3, B7, Vitamin E and zinc, which are known to help maintain healthy skin. Levels of filaggrin decrease as people get older, resulting in a less effective skin barrier and a higher risk of dry or sensitive skin. However, for the elderly, it can be difficult to use creams and ointments on hard-to-reach areas of the skin. Since pellamex is a food supplement, this issue can be avoided and the elderly can more easily manage their skin problems. The new food supplement was recently launched, under the Curapella brand, at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. The product has been very well received and initial feedback from customers suggests that using pellamex reduces steroid cream use by an average of 33 per cent. The company is now developing further scientifically researched and clinically tested skincare products based on natural ingredients. A cream for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and a children’s version of pellamex are set to be launched later in 2018.
www.curapella.com