03.30.07
Finding Beauty in Fruit
MyChelle Dermaceuticals taps into the power of fruit with its two new skin care ranges.
By Joanna Cosgrove
Online Editor
Of course fruit is good for the body, but it's also great for the complexion. Frisco, Colo.-based MyChelle Dermaceuticals latest skin care product offerings are a veritable fruit cocktail for the skin, featuring exotic extracts and pulp from acai, mangosteen, camu camu, green apple and coconut. Each ingredient offers its own set of properties that aid in brightening, smoothing, tightening and toning aged and sun-damaged skin.
Founded by Myra Michelle Eby, MyChelle Dermaceuticals products were developed for all skin types to balance, nourish and hydrate even sensitive skin by supporting the skin’s immune system. “We search the world over for unique botanicals and fruit pulps, pioneering a new generation of skin care that delights health-conscious, educated consumers,” she says, adding that her products are always free of phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, ureas, EDTA, fragrances, particles and artificial colors. In lieu of artificial preservatives, MyChelle products utilize Totarol from New Zealand, a variety of antioxidants and Jasmine Alcohol.
Flanking the Apple Brightening line is the Tropical Line, which features antioxidant-rich fruits from the South American rainforest such as acai, mangosteen and camu camu. Mangosteen contains antioxidant-rich xanthones and has historically been used in ointment form to treat eczema. Acai, a Brazilian berry that grows along the Amazon River, is a source of potent anthocyanins, an antioxidant that is about 20 times more potent than red wine. Camu camu, found in the Amazon rainforest, contains the highest scientifically-documented quantity of natural vitamin C on earth at 2,000 milligrams per 100 grams of fruit—30 times the vitamin C content of an orange, Ms. Eby explained.
The Tropical Line is made up of two products: Tropical Face Lift and Tropical Skin Smoother. Tropical Face Lift is an instant firming mask containing MyChelle’s newly patented lab-grown algae, Pepha-Tight™, which provides a “tremendous” firming action. The product also includes albumin, Amazonian white clay, acai, mangosteen and camu camu which combine to produce tightening effects and potent tropical antioxidants that protect against free radical assault. The product retails for $29.95 for 1.2 oz.
Tropical Skin Smoother is an exfoliating facial scrub that contains coconut puree, bromelain, and glycolic acid. The skin polisher features the antioxidant values of acai combined with coconut pulp that yields nourishing essential fatty acids. It retails for $29.95 for 1.2 oz.
Ms. Erby said her desire to create these products stemmed out of her personal philosophy to formulate products that are non-toxic, provide an effective therapeutic levels of active ingredients, employ no animal testing and never use “estrogen disrupters,” while keeping the cost to the consumer as low as possible.
The products are sold from coast to coast in fine natural food stores and holistic spas, as
well as in Canada and Ireland.