Survey Reveals Women in Denver, on Average, are Exposed to Nearly 25 Potentially Harmful Chemicals and Irritants through Daily Skin Care Regimens

PEAPACK, N.J., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Findings of a new survey of 302 women living in Denver, CO, revealed that women, on average, are exposed to nearly 25 potentially harmful chemical ingredients or irritants (e.g. dyes, parabens and artificial fragrances) as a result of their daily facial skin care regimen.

Surprisingly, only one-third reported being very concerned about chemical ingredients in skin care products.  In contrast, nearly half (49%) said they were very concerned about the chemical ingredients contained in packaged foods according to a Harris Interactive online survey conducted in December.

"Despite the growing demand for healthier food products that are devoid of artificial ingredients, antibiotics and other unnecessary additives, most people just don't question or even understand the long list of chemical ingredients in the products that they apply to their skin every day," said M'lou Arnett, chief operating officer and co-founder of Scerene Healthcare, Inc., developer of Puristics™ personal care products.

Two years ago, Arnett and her business partner, Bob Casale, set out to develop a line of personal care products for everyday life that were as safe to use as they were effective.  This month, Colorado is one of three exclusive U.S. markets where Puristics™ personal care products – Puristics Totally Ageless™ skin care, Puristics Pure Protection™ feminine products and Puristics Baby creams and lotions – are now available in King Soopers stores, and nationally online through www.drugstore.com.  Beginning in April, the skincare line will be available in Walgreens.

"We think it's important for consumers to consider what they're putting into and onto their bodies, and to understand that they don't have to give up effectiveness in order to get pure products," said Arnett. "Our clinical study results were really exciting and prove that impressive results can be achieved without the use of potentially harmful chemicals or irritants."  

Specifically, an independent testing lab found a measurable reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in 100 percent of the women participating in the clinical trial after just three weeks of using Puristics Totally Ageless Advanced Skin Rejuvenating Lotion. Additional findings from the study can be found on the Puristics website, http://www.puristics.com.

Survey Findings

Between December 1 and 14, 2010, Scerene commissioned a Harris Interactive online survey of 302 women age 30 to 55 who live in Denver. Figures for age, race, education, region and income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting also was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

Top findings reveal that consumers are much more attuned to ingredients in packaged food products than those in skin care products:

• When making a purchase decision, nearly 60% of women check the ingredients in packaged food products, significantly more than those who check the ingredients in skin care products (59% vs. 34%). Three times as many women who check the ingredients in packaged food report that they know most of the ingredients compared to skin care products (60% vs. 17%).

• Further, when it comes to potentially harmful chemical ingredients, respondents are significantly more knowledgeable about those ingredients in packaged food products than those in skin care products (53% vs. 21%). In fact, only one-third reported that they have researched skin care ingredients.  

• Almost three-quarters of women (73%) are aware of the safety concerns with parabens and artificial fragrances that can be found in skin care products. However, slightly less than one-third have changed their buying habits to avoid a potentially harmful ingredient in a skin care product compared to nearly two- thirds for packaged food (29% vs. 63%).

In the study, multiple independent sources that monitor and compile the latest data on cosmetic ingredients were used to identify the number of potentially harmful chemicals and irritants in two leading skin care lines.* The numerical value assigned to each representative product provided a basis for determining the number of potentially harmful or irritating ingredients represented in the regimens of the respondents. The individual exposure rating for each participant was calculated based on reported daily skin care regimen and frequency of use.

About Puristics

Puristics Totally Ageless skin care, Puristics Pure Protection feminine protection and Puristics Baby creams and lotions are free from potentially harmful chemicals like dyes, perfumes and synthetic preservatives, and are recommended for all skin types. Puristics products have the power to work effectively and are non-irritating, even on sensitive skin.  For more information, please visit www.puristics.com.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

About Scerene

Scerene Healthcare, Inc. (www.scerenehealthcare.com) is a consumer products company based in Peapack, NJ that has developed a line of personal care products under the Puristics brand.  Puristics products deliver pure and effective solutions for consumers' personal healthcare needs.  Utilizing pure ingredients and proprietary technologies, the Puristics family of products includes three personal care consumer product lines: anti-aging skin care, feminine protection and baby creams and lotions. The co-founders of the company have more than 40 collective years of healthcare and marketing experience with leading consumer healthcare brands.

For more information, please visit www.scerenehealthcare.com.

*Sources used in the analysis included the American Academy of Dermatology (http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/general_cosmeceutical.html), Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel of the Personal Care Products Council (http://www.cir-safety.org/), and the Environmental Working Group (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/).

SOURCE Scerene Healthcare, Inc.