New acne cream brings new meaning to 'adding value to dairy'

Hamilton company, Quantec Personal Care, believes Cleopatra may have been onto something when she bathed in milk.

The research focused company has developed a clinically-proven anti-acne cream whose active, patented ingredient is derived from New Zealand cow’s milk. 

The company believes this breakthrough skincare product, marketed under the Epiology brand, is a world first in its category and represents an entirely new approach to improving acne and problem skin. 

Quantec founder and Managing Director, Dr Rod Claycomb, explains, “The bioactive enzymes and proteins found in our Epiology anti-acne cream are essentially the same active enzymes and proteins that all mammals produce to protect themselves from potentially harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

“These enzymes and proteins all work together and make up the essential components of the body’s immune defence system. They naturally occur and provide a protective function in saliva and around gums, tears, raw milk and throughout the gut.  This raw ingredient – which we call IDP® - is the key component of the Epiology acne cream.”

He says IDP® has unique properties which makes it very powerful against certain types of disease-causing bacteria.  When applied to the skin, it leaves the natural and beneficial bacteria of the skin largely unaffected.

“By leaving these natural and beneficial bacteria active on the skin, IDP® creates an ideal scenario for management of acne. In addition, these bio-proteins interact with inflamed tissues and cells to help quell the inflammatory response, which is a primary cause of acne,” said Dr Claycomb.

It has taken the Quantec research and development team seven years to create IDP® and now prove its efficacy for acne.

During 2012 Quantec completed randomised, double-blinded trials on 84 subjects with mild to moderate acne in the United States.  The performance of the milk-ingredient based Epiology cream was compared against two other formulations with FDA-approved acne active ingredients: a leading US retail brand of acne product containing 2% salicylic acid plus retinol and another salicylic acid-based formulation. 

After six weeks, both the leading US brand and Epiology demonstrated exactly the same results in reducing acne lesions.  However, the Epiology cream demonstrated superior results in the overall reduction of acne related redness and inflammation.

“Our clinical trial results demonstrated the benefits of using Epiology acne cream as a new product for acne prone skin.  The study showed Epiology provided subjects with a clearer and brighter complexion without irritation or redness and is particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin,” explained Dr Claycomb.

The Epiology range of products is being sold in pharmacies throughout New Zealand.