Dermalogica is rolling out a new product with proprietary technology that treats sensitive skin and is designed to break the cycle of sensitive once and for all. The new formulation, Stabilizing Repair Cream, is clinically proven to reduce redness, irritation and itchiness within one week, according to the Unilever-owned skincare brand.

An extension to its Dermalogica’s Ultra Calming Range, Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream ($64) soothes skin on contact, repairs skin’s lipid barrier, and strengthens skin to help keep signs of sensitivity at bay. It contains a proprietary ceramide-building complex that helps the skin naturally produce the ceramides it needs, where they are needed, which the brand goes beyond depositing lipids to the surface, creating a temporary barrier solution. It is designed to address rosacea, dry/itchy skin and acne and is also suited for avid-treatment goers, too.

Its proprietary complex is composed of biomimetic lipids with phytosterols and ceramide-like molecules. It helps the skin to naturally produce the ceramides it needs where they are needed. The technology is the first product in the Dermalogica line to use this unique complex, according to. company officials.

Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream contains blend of resurrection plant, Tasmania Lanceolata extract and Boerhavia Diffusa root to quickly reduce redness and discomfort upon application .

Ceramide-Building Complex

The proprietary ceramide-building complex is said to help skin produce its own ceramides (clinically proven showing an 88% increase in ceramide levels in 48 hours), according to the brand.

Stabilizing Repair Cream is designed to address rosacea, dry/itchy skin and acne and it is also suited for avid-treatment goers, too, according to bran experts that spoke to Happi.
 
“A genetically sensitive skin has some fundamental differences, mostly relating to the to the lipid layer or skin barrier…. It prevents excessive water loss through the epidermis and prevents compounds and external irritants from the environment permeating into the viable epidermal and dermal layers of the skin,” Heather Hickman, Dermalogica’s head of global education, told Happi.

The lipid layer is comprised of fatty acids and cholesterol with approximately 50% of its composition is ceramides.

“A genetically sensitive skin has a lower ability to produce the lips required for a healthy barrier where a sensitized skin has compromised the lipid barrier through external or internal factors such as pollution, lifestyle or harsh skin treatments. Both can result in the skin being more reactive, irritated, and inflamed,” Hickman noted.

Hickman said that when formulating Stabilizing Repair Cream, Dermalogica’s “ingredient and science strategy began with addressing the root cause of sensitive and sensitized skin – the impaired skin barrier- and how could we ensure an instant relief to itchy inflamed skin in addition to the more important goal of providing a long-term impact and stop sensitive skin in its tracks without causing more irritation.”

“This technology helps stop sensitive skin by helping skin produce more of its own ceramides.  We saw amazing results in our clinical testing – as well as immediately relieving redness, this product helps stop sensitive skin within a week with visible reduction in redness, irritation and itchiness,” noted Hickman, citing an independent third-party clinical test with 31 subjects.

Professional Insight

The R&D team took inspiration from the treatment room using learning from how the brand’s professional skin therapists work on restoring the skins barrier before treating any other skin concern.

“With reactive skins, we must also be hyper vigilant in vetting ingredients for irritation and be cognizant of the texture of the product making it easy to apply so as not to over stimulate the skin on application,” Hickman said.
 
Additional key ingredients include cica and Lactobacillus Ferment.