Sanofi wants to take Cortizone-10 out of the medicine cabinet and into backpacks and totes of consumers everywhere. That’s because these OTC products are often needed ASAP—like when insects bite during an outing to the park or poison ivy lurks on the hiking trail—but are often left at home inside bathroom.

Cortizone-10 is part of the North America Consumer Healthcare business of Sanofi—which is also home to Gold Bond, Icy Hot, Aspercreme and Selsun blue among other topical products designed for specific personal care needs.

Don’t Scratch

Sanofi officials traveled to New York City in late June to discuss how Cortizone-10 formulas help quell itching and care for skin—and explained why having products on hand is a better strategy for protecting skin.

Remona Gopaul, Sanofi senior director of research and innovation, explained why itching is a problem for skin and how Cortizone-10’s formulas are different than other products in the category.

When skin is irritated, a chemical reaction causes blood vessels to widen. After this, the skin can become red, swollen and itchy.

“Itching damages the skin,” Gopual told attendees during a brand event inside Camp NYC (a family destination retail experience). She noted that Cortizone-10 is “loaded with moisturizers and restoring oils that heal that skin to prevent you from itching to begin with.”

Topical hydrocortisone products like Cortizone-10 stop these reactions and temporarily reduce itching from minor skin irritations.

The Cortizone-10 Range

The Cortizone-10 range spans several products, including Soothing Aloe Itch Relief Cream, Intensive Moisture Itch Relief Cream and Fast Itch Relief Massaging Rollerball. They all help relieve itch associated with inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, rashes due to insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and minor skin irritations such as rough, dry, red, chafed and chapped skin.  

The line includes the maximum-strength hydrocortisone available over the counter to help relieve itch in less than 10 minutes—and it provides relief that lasts for hours, according to officials.

Cortizone-10 Fast Itch Relief Massaging Rollerball is the newest product in the range. It has a roll-on applicator that helps product absorb into the skin.  It also soothes and hydrates inflamed skin with a fragrance-free formula that contains seven moisturizers, including aloe.