CuralysMD is taking a skin barrier first approach to eczema care. The company, which is led by Dr. Ratan K. Chaudhuri and a team of scientists, has created a steroid-free product that uses a technology called SMRTActiv™ and paired it with colloidal oatmeal. The CuralysMD Eczema Relief Skin Protectant Lotion is designed to calm inflammation, while also reinforcing the skin barrier. It is suitable for use by people ages 2 years old and older.
Chaudhuri said he and the team spent more than a decade trying to understand the biology of ectopic dermatitis, developing the platform, establishing safety and translating it into a solution for those who have eczema. There have been three clinical studies done to understand the biology of ectopic dermatitis, as well as mimicking ectopic dermatitis conditions to know the targets where the Curalys technology could provide a solution. One of those targets is barrier function.
Chaudhuri said that while other over-the-counter eczema products focus on the treatment of inflammation, the trend is evolving to show that barrier function is also an important part of treating eczema. He said that fixing the skin barrier, along with hydrating and soothing it is the way to really repair it during eczema flares. He said that research is also showing that summer eczema flares can come from sweat and other factors, like humidity, air conditioning, environmental allergens and irritating suncare products, not just the sun.
Chaudhuri said that making the formula steroid-free is important because while steroids can give fast relief, it also has side effects. He said that CuralysMD is good for people who might receive prescriptions treatments for their eczema periodically but still need relief in between those gaps. He said the product is not a replacement for the treatment, it is a complement to the prescription treatment.
Chaudhuri said CuralysMD can be used for barrier function support every day during flares, after the prescription treatment and management of the skin. He said it can be part of the daily skincare regiment for ectopic dermatitis management. He said people who have used the product already have seen positive results.
“Just using colloidal oatmeal gives you a soothing effect, but it is temporary. Here, you are not only getting a soothing effect, you are also fixing not one, but three problems. You’re taking care of barrier disruption, taking care of skin dryness, you’re taking care of microbial imbalance and irritation that is associated with stress and maintaining your skin quality,” he said.
