Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that causes your skin to be itchy, dry, bumpy, cracked, inflamed, etc. It is a type of dermatitis (from derma meaning “skin” and -itis meaning “inflammation of”).
There are many types of eczema and dermatitis in general, but the most commonly associated form of dermatitis and the most common form of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis.
Atopy is the tendency to form an exaggerated immune response to otherwise harmless substances. Think of it as being like an allergy but open to being triggered by more things.
Atopic dermatitis is mainly caused by genetics and environmental factors that can trigger hypersensitivity in people. Hypersensitivity causes re-exposure to certain allergens or irritants in general to generate an exaggerated immune response and thus inflammation.
This inflammation usually results in a compromised skin barrier, which further increases moisture loss, chance of infection, susceptibility to irritants and other factors that cause eczema flare ups.
Simple moisturisation with ceramides and oatmeal complexes will only temporarily relieve symptoms, whereas Curezma takes a multi-pronged approach to treating the symptoms of eczema and with the aim of ensuring long term well-being.
First off, the Curezma regime is clinically tested to be hypoallergenic and suitable for eczema prone skin to prevent the introduction eczema triggers.
The Curezma regime starts off with a gentle and hypoallergenic cleanser to cleanse the skin of dirt, irritants and allergens while minimizing further damage to the skin that harsher cleansers can cause. It also contains a prebiotic to encourage the growth of good bacteria and stunt the growth of harmful bacteria.
The other products in the Curezma regime are filled with powerful actives to reduce inflammation, improve proper immune response, provide nutrients and moisture, and a host of other benefits.
These all culminate in the strengthening of the skin barrier, which allows for the skin benefits to accumulate while further reducing the harm from environmental factors.
Eczema + Steroids
Corticosteroids are a type of steroid hormone. Topically, they are mainly used for their anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties that are a result of their ability to reduce blood flow, suppress immune responses and alter certain gene expressions.
They reduce inflammation and its effects on the skin. They achieve this by inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules, constricting blood vessels to reduce blood flow and inflammation, influencing gene expression to control inflammation, and suppressing the immune system in the area.
They do not treat the root causes of eczema.
In addition to the blood vessel constricting and immune system supressing ability that often helps with reducing itching and inflammation, corticosteroids also reduce cell turnover and inhibit collagen synthesis, which can help with psoriasis.
Unfortunately, these properties can also have some very negative effects when steroids are overused.
Reduction of cell turnover, reduction of skin connective tissue (collagen) and constriction of blood vessels can result in the skin atrophying or thinning down, stretch marks forming, spider veins, etc. Skin atrophying also further reduces your skin’s protective ability.
A blanket approach to immune suppression to reduce inflammation results in your body being less able to protect itself when actual infections come about.
Furthermore, there is the general drug resistance that the body can build up over time as well as potential allergic reactions.
Ingredients
Ceramides are natural waxy lipids found in cell membranes. However, they are most notably found in the lipid matrix binding the dead skin cells that make up your skin barrier. They are key components that are required to maintain healthy skin.
As they are key components in keeping the skin barrier together, they are responsible for generally reducing transepidermal water loss and keeping harmful substances from penetrating the skin barrier.
The deficiency in certain ceramides has been linked to diseases such as eczema and psoriasis as well as dryness, itchiness, inflammation, and other symptoms of eczema in general.
By providing ceramides from an outside source, the idea is that we can supplement the natural deficiencies in eczematic skin.
Supplementing the skin with extra nutrients can certainly help with reducing negative symptoms when compared to doing nothing, but you can think of it as trying to keep a bucket of water full while it has a leak in it.
It is often the case that eczematic skin is damaged to the point where supplementing it with more moisture or more ceramides just slows down the inevitable because it just can’t keep the nutrients in.
This is why Curezma Barrier Repair Serum contains ceramide 3 while also containing a host of other ingredients to strengthen and maintain your skin barrier.
Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground and refined whole oats, which results in a powder that can readily be incorporated into water to form a colloid (a homogenous and well dispersed mixture).
The benefit of using the whole oat is that all of the beneficial compounds found in oats get included. Examples of these compounds are oat polysaccharides (including β-glucans), lipids, starches, fibers, phenolic compounds (including Avenanthramides), minerals and vitamins.
Being finely ground and suitable for forming colloids means that the nutrients are more easily incorporated into cosmetic preparations such as lotions, which may also help their introduction to the skin.
Colloidal oatmeal is most famous for providing oat β-glucans and Avenathramides.
Oat β-glucans are mainly used as humectants (water absorbing molecules), however, they also have wound healing, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and other effects.
Avenathramides are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.
The other polysaccharides, starches and lipids also help to provide a protective surface layer on the skin and keep it moisturized.
Colloidal oatmeal primarily provides surface level relief and a basic protective layer on the skin. However, the actual amount of nutrients and protective substances being provided to the skin can be insufficient for the long-term relief of symptoms especially when the colloidal oatmeal is overly diluted.
Curezma products are formulated with high levels of actives and oils to provide both the necessary nutrients and protection needed for sustained skin health.
What is Immunosurveillance?
Immunosurveillance is the process by which cells involved in the body’s immune system detect foreign pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
Immunosurveillance signalling pathways are the routes by which the immune system goes from detection to reaction.
You can think of it as a burglar (pathogen) trying to break into a house being detected by cameras (immunosurveillance) and alarm going off (signalling pathway), which alerts the police (immune response).
Immunosurveillance signalling pathways are necessary to protect against infections. Imagine just allowing bacteria or other pathogens to just run rampant and spread throughout your body causing damage.
They suppress the innate pathways, causing the skin to not have the inflammation reaction. Since eczema flare ups are often a result of the immune system’s overreaction to certain stimuli, corticosteroids are often prescribed for their ability to dampen the immune response.
A large part of what corticosteroids do is block the receptors that receive immune signals or reduce the release of signalling molecules.
Curezma Barrier Repair Serums contain an ingredient that has been shown to increase the expression of certain antimicrobial peptides in the skin, boosting the skin’s natural immune response through improved signalling.
Skin Barrier
The skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of your skin and acts as its first line of defence.
It shields you from various external threats like pollution, UV rays, toxins, etc. Furthermore, it acts to keep moisture and other nutrients in.
Your skin barrier can weaken due to factors like age, genetics, and the environment. As you age, your body may produce fewer nutrients essential for maintaining healthy and hydrated skin. Environmental factors, such as sun damage and chemical irritants, can worsen the condition. Additionally, genetic predispositions, like being prone to dermatitis, can affect your skin barrier.
Certain practices and substances can also damage your skin barrier.
- Harsh detergents that strip away natural oils.
- Alcohol-based astringents that dry out your skin.
- Rough exfoliants, shaving, and scratching that cause small abrasions.
- Overuse of AHAs and BHAs, which weaken the bonds between skin cells Prolonged sun exposure that damages cells and dehydrates the skin.
To strengthen your skin barrier, you can minimize damage and provide it with additional nutrients and protection. The skin barrier contains natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and an intercellular lipid matrix. An unhealthy skin barrier may lack sufficient lipids to prevent water loss and have ruptured cells leaking their NMFs.
Repairing the skin barrier involves using moisturizers that contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives:
- Humectants attract water to the skin.
- Emollients fill gaps in the skin and supplement the lipid matrix.
- Occlusives reduce water loss through the skin.
Curezma is the ultimate product for your skin barrier. It repairs and maintains its health effectively. With ceramides and patented technology, Curezma penetrates all levels of the skin, balances ceramide levels, relieves itching, inflammation, and redness. It also contains antioxidants to combat oxidative stress.
Clinically proven to repair the skin barrier function in just 5 days, instantly reduces water loss and retains moisture for 100 hours.
Transepidermal Waster Loss (TWL) refers to the continuous, passive loss of water through the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It's not the same as water lost through sweating. Transepidermal water loss is a crucial indicator of your skin barrier's functionality, which acts as protection for your skin, keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.
Managing eczema is about alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. Lowering transepidermal Water Loss and maintaining a healthy skin barrier play a key role in achieving this, provided it's not a temporary fix. A compromised skin barrier can lead to dryness, irritation, inflammation, infection, itchiness, and delayed healing.
Transepidermal water loss can be reduced by moisturizing the skin to repair the skin barrier and by reducing further damage to the skin.
Moisturization is tied to three key types of ingredients: humectants, emollients and occlusives, which work synergistically to provide moisture and lock it in the skin.
- Humectants attract water, hydrating the skin by drawing moisture from the air and dermis. However, in dry or damaged areas, humectants may exacerbate water loss, so they're often used in combination with emollients and occlusives.
- Emollients fill gaps in the skin barrier, resulting in smoother, softer skin. They can also repair the barrier's function and serve as occlusives to some extent.
- Occlusives create a physical barrier on the skin's surface, preventing water from escaping.
The synergy of these three ingredients helps reduce transepidermal water loss in the short and long term. - Active ingredients for reducing inflammation and itching help reduce the damage that your skin can do to itself and reduce the damage you can do to your skin by scratching it.
While many products offer short-term moisturization, the Curezma range includes a Hydrating Hypoallergenic Cleanser, Barrier Repair Serum, Intensive Ointment and Anti Flare Oil, all working together to improve skin quality and your overall well-being.
- Our Hydrating Hypoallergenic Cleanser gently cleanses without stripping necessary oils, preserving the skin barrier and microbiome.
- The Barrier Repair Serum contains humectants, emollients, and cosmetic actives to restore the skin barrier, enhance hydration, and repair it within five days.
- The Intensive Ointment, formulated with natural oils, acts as a heavy-duty moisturizer, instantly reducing TEWL and retaining moisture for 100 hours.
- The Anti-flare Oil provides immediate relief from eczema symptoms with its high levels of emollients and actives.
About Curezma
No. Curezma has never tested on animals and has ensured that all of its ingredients are cruelty free.
The Hydrating Hypoallergenic Cleansers and the Intensive Ointments for Adults and for Baby + Kids are non-vegan. The cleansers contain yoghurt powder to help balance the skin microbiome, while the Intensive Ointment contains beeswax for an added occlusive effect.
Curezma has conducted one of the largest independent skincare clinical trials in Australia. The trials were conducted in the UK and the results are on our website.
The trials prove that Curezma is the most effective over the counter eczema solution available.
Curezma completed independent safety trials in the UK with zero adverse reactions.
Yes. All Curezma products are clinically proven to be hypoallergenic.
Yes, Curezma is made in Australian and an Australian owned company. The patented technology and all research and development was also done in Australia.
Curezma products range from 91-99% naturally derived.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you will see a difference in 5 days to 6 weeks.
Yes. Curezma has conducted clinical safety trials with zero reactions and is also dermatologist and paediatrician approved.
The results of Curezma product/s or regime might vary depending on the severity of eczema & usage of corticosteroids prior to using our product/s. Please try the products/regime for minimum 4-6 weeks before giving up or applying for refund.
We also encourage you to reach out to our team and share your experience with one of our chemists. In many cases, we have worked with parents and carers to come up with a tailored approach that saw positive results on their child's eczema.
Curezma uses highly potent active ingredients which may induce a slight stinging sensation especially when applied on broken skin.
If the stinging sensation is particularly strong or persists over a long period of time, we recommend you stop using the product causing the stinging sensation.
In the meantime, our oil based products may be more suitable to provide an occlusive barrier over the skin.
We also encourage you to reach out to our team and share your experience with one of our chemists. In many cases we have worked with parents and carers to come up with a tailored approach that saw positive results on their child's eczema.
The Intensive Ointment contains Shea Butter and Tamanu Oil while
the Barrier Repair Serum contains Shea Butter. Shea Butter is derived from the shea nut and Tamanu Oil is derived from the nut of the Tamanu tree.
We recommend using the Adult range from ages 12 and up.
Yes, however, please be careful of getting any product in your eyes as Curezma is for external use only.
We can confirm the products are non-comedogenic. This information is based on the research papers and non-comedogenic rating scale of ingredients used.
The active levels in the adult range are higher. The testing on the childrens range was more extensive to include pediatrician approved.
All Curezma products are free from Wheat, Eggs, and Oats. However, we are unable to confirm that they are gluten-free.
Our products are hypoallergenic, paediatrician and dermatologist approved, and underwent extensive testing with no adverse responses observed during occlusive patch testing on a diverse group of individuals, primarily those with eczema-prone skin.
If you have any concerns about an allergic reaction, we would recommend conducting a patch test before using the Curezma range, as this can help identify any potential reactions. Here's how you can proceed:
- Test one product at a time to determine the specific cause if a reaction occurs.
- Cleanse skin and ensure it's completely dry before testing.
- Apply a small amount of the test product inside the elbow, behind the knee, and at the back of the neck, with no other products on the skin.
- Wait for approximately 48 hours to observe any reactions.
- If any redness, burning, rash, itching, or stinging occurs during the patch test, immediately wash the tested areas and discontinue the product's use.