Galderma markets retinol-alternative in new healthy aging sensitive skin care line

14 Sep 2023 --- Galderma has released Cetaphil Healthy Renew, marketed as the first healthy aging skin care line with skin sensitivity in mind. Highlighting that sensitive skin ages differently, Cetaphil targets sensitive skin consumers with its new retinol-alternative range that is formulated with purified peptides to “help defend against visible signs of aging.”

“Aging skin is a particular point of frustration for my sensitive skin patients due to increased risks of irritation and an already compromised skin barrier,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, board-certified dermatologist and Cetaphil partner.

“Active ingredients like retinol are especially not well-tolerated, so I’m thrilled to share Cetaphil Healthy Renew with them as a new, gentle and efficacious option to combat the early signs of aging.”

The new release comes after Galderma’s July announcement of sales climbing to US$2 billion for the first time in the first half of this fiscal year, up 6.9% year-on-year.

Replicating retinol benefits without harshness
Sensitive skin consumers have been historically “underserved” in the aging skin category, with mainstream ingredients such as retinol often being too harsh, Galderma notes. There has been increasing activity in the space of retinol alternatives this year, with recent examples including Conagen’s “first-of-its-kind,” class of sustainable retinoid-derivative ingredients through precision fermentation.

Cetaphil Healthy Renew product range (Image credit: Cetaphil).After researching more than 300 peptides, Cetaphil selected highly purified botanical glycopeptides as the optimal ingredient for Healthy Renew, replicating the benefits of retinol while being “well tolerated.”

“Those with sensitive skin have an inherently compromised skin barrier, causing it to age differently than other skin types. This is because the skin experiences recurrent irritation that can affect the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production,” explains Dr. Matthew Meckfessel, director of medical affairs at Galderma.

“The simplified protein chains within the Healthy Renew collection are a gentler option for sensitive skin, don’t require typical adaptation time, and aren’t known to increase sensitivity to the sun. Instead, they help reduce the visible signs of aging with minimal skin disruption.”

Combined with vitamins B3 and B5 to help hydrate, soothe and repair the skin’s moisture barrier, Healthy Renew’s formula also includes botanical extracts from rice lees and edelweiss to target dullness and uneven skin tone. 

The “dermatologist-developed” line features the following four products that are all hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic.

The line includes a serum and an eye gel serum, targeting hydration and improving signs of fatigue and wrinkles. It also features a day cream containing SPF 30 alongside a night cream for nourishing the skin overnight, reducing the appearance of fine lines and “revealing glowing skin by morning.”

Galderma innovation pipeline
In other recent product releases this year, Galderma launched a new indication of Restylane Defyne for the treatment of chin retrusion in China. This is the first approval for a hyaluronic acid injectable for this indication in the Chinese market.

Galderma also launched Alastin Skincare ReSurface Skin Polish as its newest product addition within the Alastin Skincare collection. It is designed to sweep away dead skin cells and impurities for instantly smoother and visibly brighter skin. 

To support users with sensitive skin, Cetaphil unveiled a digital AI skin analysis tool. The comprehensive skin analyzer offers personalized skin assessment scores and skin care regimen recommendations in seconds.

In March, Galderma launched Face by Galderma, an aesthetic visualization tool powered by augmented reality that allows aesthetic professionals and patients to visualize injectable treatment results at the planning stage before actual treatment begins. This innovative solution gives patients a simulated real-time “before and after” visual.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer