Commonly Used Beauty Staple Clinically Proven to Help Treat Eczema

New Study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Finds Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Albolene(R) Moisturizing Cleanser as Effective as a Prescription Moisturizer
for Helping to Clear Up Mild to Moderate Eczema

EDISON, N.J., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Mild to moderate eczema sufferers who
are looking for a cost-effective way to control and heal this skin condition
without a prescription now have a new option to consider. A new study in the
March 2009 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology(1) finds that an
over-the-counter moisturizer, Albolene(R) Moisturizing Cleanser (long used for
its effective, yet gentle, moisturizing, makeup-removing properties), is just
as efficacious as a leading prescription moisturizer, Mimyx(R) - for a
fraction of the price and easier availability right on the drug store shelf -
in the reduction of dryness, scaling and itching related to mild to moderate
eczema.

"It was very interesting to see that an over-the-counter moisturizing
formulation that has been around for more than 100 years, was equally as
efficacious as a more modern prescription moisturizing cream for the treatment
of mild and moderate eczema," says Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., dermatologist and
lead researcher/author of the study. This opens up opportunities to larger
populations of sufferers of certain skin issues who have limited access to
dermatologists or, even, prescription medications, she adds.

Eczema is one of the most common conditions that results in dermatologic
visits. Most of the skin damage associated with eczema is not from the
condition, itself, but comes as a result of the scratching due to the
itchiness and irritation. Additionally, eczema is also a condition that
returns if the skin is not cared for properly on a regular basis.

Many common, over-the-counter skin moisturizers are now water-based to make
them lighter to apply and easy to absorb by the skin, but this water content
within the product doesn't actually penetrate the skin's deeper layers and
cannot moisturize the skin.

"Water-based moisturizers cannot add water to the skin, and, ironically, can
actually serve to dry out the skin further in some people because the
continual wetting/evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin
produces skin damage," explains Dr. Draelos. "Moisturizers that reduce
transepidermal water loss (TEWL) are those that occlude, or trap, moisture in
the skin due to their more oily ingredients, such as mineral oil, petrolatum
and paraffin." These types of moisturizers are great for the tens of millions
of people with dry skin issues, like eczema, she adds.

Study Findings
The objective of this investigator-blinded study was to determine if there
would be similarities in the improvement of eczema using either Albolene
Moisturizing Cleanser, available over the counter at stores nationwide, and
prescription Mimyx for the treatment of mild and moderate eczema (both topical
products were combined with use of a 0.1% triamcinolone cream for moderate
eczema and used alone for mild eczema). Fifty-nine/sixty (59/60) subjects who
completed the four-week study were randomly assigned based on whether their
eczema was mild or moderate, and used each of the test products on either one
arm or one leg.

"After assessing the subjects at weeks one, two and four, there was
improvement in both groups; however, there were no statistically significant
differences between the subjects using the OTC formulation or the prescription
moisturizer," adds Dr. Draelos. The individual subjects also felt that
Albolene and Mimyx performed comparably in terms of the healing of the eczema,
when evaluating the redness, peeling, dryness, stinging, itching and overall
assessment.

Money-Saving Alternative
Albolene costs less than $10 for a 12-ounce jar versus the $100 or more for a
small tube of Mimyx, yet each has been proven to garner the same results for
mild and moderate eczema in use over a four-week period.

For more information about eczema, to see the journal study and where to buy
Albolene, visit www.alboleneclinical.com.

(1) Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, "An Evaluation of Prescription Device
Moisturizers,"Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2009

SOURCE Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

Laurie Lindenbaum of Robin Leedy & Associates, +1-914-241-0086, ext. 26, or
llindenbaum@robinleedyassociates.com