Dermacia

Dermacia is a skin care product and an advertised “breathable” foundation that claims to provide “flawless, glowing skin in 30 days!” It is said to be “a guarded secret of Hollywood’s makeup artists.” This product features Live Yeast Cell Derivative (LYCD), an ingredient previously used in hemorrhoid creams. Interestingly, a key U.S. regulatory agency prohibited the use of LYCD in hemorrhoid products in 1993, ordering manufacturers to instead use “proven ingredients.”

This ruling further stated that none of the information supplied about LYCD “adequately supported claims of effectiveness.” It has also been reported that the manufacturer of this product has failed to pay its online affiliates, perhaps indicating financial difficulties.

If this product’s key ingredient is considered unacceptable for use on rectal tissue, we have to wonder why a consumer would feel comfortable putting it on their face. While it was once a wives’ tale maintaining that hemorrhoid cream could alleviate inflammation on the face, this does not appear to have been substantiated. In addition, hemorrhoid products generally play no role in eliminating “facial blemishes, scars, redness and discoloration,” as this product claims to do. We feel that this product makes grossly exaggerated claims for an essentially weak product.

Furthermore, to us the maker of this product appears to be on shaky financial ground, which might make the company all the more motivated to deceive the public. We will examine Dermacia in terms of its questionable promises, and hear some concerning feedback from consumers who have used this product.

One of the products in the line contains some of the following ingredients: Water, Isododecane, Butylene/Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Peg/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Copolyol, Hexyl Laurate, Diocetyldodecyl Dodecaneodioate, Nylon-12, Orgasol, Cyclomethicone, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, SD Alcohol 40, Silica / Orisil 200, Butylene Glycol, Lycogel Complex, Sodium Chloride, Iron Oxides, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol Acetate (Vitamin A), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol and Methylisothiazolinone.

It has been reported, by some users, that those who want to use these products, might wish to carefully cleanse their skin and perhaps use over-the-counter astringents or acne products, since Dermacia is said to cause oiliness and breakouts for some. We feel consumers disappointed with this product as makeup might be tempted to use it on their hemorrhoids, simply to get some viable use out of it. This is not recommended, as the LYCD ingredient has even been prohibited for hemorrhoid use.

In the end, to us it seems the manufacturer of this particular line of products has cobbled together questionable ingredients, an exaggerated infomercial, and pseudo-scientific jargon to dupe the public. It appears to us, that the result is an overpriced, thick, oily, yeast-based foundation that is said to be anything but “breathable.” In addition, the company’s potential financial woes seem to have led to desperate and untrustworthy business practices.

Consumers interested in addressing skin problems in a targeted, lasting way might want to try skin products using proven ingredients. We currently see a great deal of potential in skin creams containing a potent mixture of Argireline®, Collagen, Matrixyl 3000®, and Hyaluronic Acid. These ingredients actually decrease the depth and density of wrinkles by releasing muscle contractions under the skin. Seek out trustworthy manufacturers with caring customer service departments that stand behind their formulas.