Q& A with Dr. Macrene, creator of 37 Extreme Actives
Q: Why did you create it?
A: Necessity is the mother of invention. As the derm-scientist® who is both a dermatologist and scientist, I realized how unmanageable and confusing it was for people to sift through the countless active ingredients being developed such that you needed to buy multiple products every month and layer them on in order to do the most for your skin. Patients would dump the "Bloomingdale's® counter" onto my desk and beg: "Please tell me which of these is safe for my skin and worth using!"
It was plainly obvious that it was time to create a single product that contained all of the key ingredients proven to yield results to the skin in the most important aspects of anti-aging: 1) anti-oxidant 2) anti-wrinkle appearance 3) anti-brown blotches 4) anti-redness 5) DNA and cellular restore 6) boosting of collagen and other dermal components.
The challenge was formulating a single product that contained all key proven ingredients in a way that maintained their activity and microtargeted each to its specified location in the skin. I did just that by creating microscopic packets addressed to the locations in the skin where each ingredient is designed to work. I call this "rational skincare design." The ingredients were then actively combined in a highly advanced cream technology, uniquely capable of suspending the greatest number and variety of actives and one that is friendly to all skin types and skin problems.
Q: What is an "active"?
I coined the term "active" to describe an ingredient that provides results. Given my background in molecular biology, I patented the technology I invented in creating 37 Extreme Actives, the first skin care agent to comprehensively combine all of the world's best actives together to systematically address all categories of skin aging in a single, active cream.
Q: What makes 37 Actives superior to other products?
A: I have spent my academic and professional life focused on what I perceive as needs in my field, rather than on what everyone else is doing. Therefore, it is up to others to determine the merits of my work. What I saw as the necessary work that needed to be done in the skincare field was the raising of the bar with respect to the scientific evidence behind each and every ingredient and to the comprehensiveness of the product. I found it wasteful that consumers needed to purchase so many products in order to get all the needed ingredients on their skin because each product delivered so few actives. In addition, the next new ingredient is introduced almost daily, confusing consumers and making it very difficult for them to know which of the numerous products they owned they should and could use. A professor of mine at Harvard University once said: "What distinguishes an outstanding physician-scientist from the rest is one who is thorough yet incisive." My expertise as the derm-scientist® allows me to thoroughly evaluate a myriad of new ingredients for their proven safety and effectiveness, yet incisively determine which are the best for inclusion in a comprehensive product logically designed to address all the different aspects of skin aging. The result is a product that is thorough yet incisive: it contains all the key ingredients proven to deliver results yet addresses the key aspects of anti-aging everyone would want in one unique formula. This eliminates the need for multiple products, making it the leader in the skin care field, as recognized at the Health and Beauty Global Expo, where it was named the TREND SETTER of the year among thousands of products.
Q: What qualifies you to create such a product?
A: As the derm-scientist®, my background encompasses both scientific research as well as clinical dermatology. I spent many years in the laboratory in various basic science fields including plant molecular biology, cell and developmental biology, genetics, photobiology and mammalian stem cell biology. I hold three Harvard degrees, a bachelors of arts (BA), a medical degree (MD) and a doctorate (PhD) in genetics. This varied scientific background allows me to efficiently and aptly scour the scientific literature and critically evaluate new molecules for their efficacy, yet with the knowledge and judgment to predict potential safety issues far in advance. Since becoming a board-certified dermatologist, I have continued my scientific research in skincare, working as a consultant to L'Oreal Paris for three years, conducting clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies and laser device companies, as well as independent research on lasers and my newest work in the lab. Importantly, I combine this scientific knowledge and expertise with ongoing care for dermatologic patients. This allows me to observe and follow-up first-hand whether a particular ingredient works and is well-tolerated by patients in the long-term. It also allows me to see what problems need answering in the skin care field. This highly unusual combination of abilities and extensive experience in both science and dermatology is what places me in a unique position to identify and solve the most important challenges, envision the future and elevate the bar in skincare.
Q: What are the unique qualities of 37 Actives?
A: It is the first time that a comprehensive and well-rounded list of proven actives have been combined in a single product, answering the problem of which ingredients to use, how to get them all on my skin and can I tolerate them? I have used my MD PhD background in the science and clinical practice of skin care to create an advanced cream technology that comprehensively combines the most potent and active ingredients one needs to combat the various categories of skin aging. In addition, I have formulated it in such a way as to microtarget each ingredient to the location in the skin where it needs to work and as to be able to apply this product to all regions of the face including the crow's feet. No longer do you need a serum, a daytime moisturizer, a nighttime moisturizer and an eye cream; all these are combined into one product that cleverly combines all the ingredients one needs for the various categories of anti-aging. The source of each ingredient was chosen to be the most potent available so as to maximize efficaciousness. In addition, this product has been designed to be safe for all skin types and efficacious in sensitive skin patients and acne patients. Finally, I have made a concerted effort to include only USDA certified organically grown plant extracts, paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, fragrance-free, without animal ingredients or testing and made in the United States with only US-sourced ingredients. In sum, this one product delivers a skin consultation in a jar because it comprehensively treats all the various categories of skin aging with the largest number and variety of potent actives proven to deliver results to the skin. It is truly, in my opinion, a breakthrough product that raises the bar in skincare.
Q: Why did you create 37 Extra Rich and how is it different?
My customers asked for another richer formulation for those with dry skin types, and I listened! I am very ambitious when it comes to striving to be the best at what I do and I eyed several new ingredients which have accumulated a great deal of clinical and basic science proof behind them, and I could not resist the opportunity to update the formula and include these exciting actives. In this new product, the plethora of anti-aging ingredients is boosted further from 37 to 50, while also providing a richer, more luxurious formulation for those who prefer a richer cream and for those with mature or dry skin types. The challenge was met in delivering the largest number of microencapsulated actives in their highest potency in a richer formulation that would not impede penetration of actives or cause clogging of pores or acne. I have patented not only the process behind maximizing actives, but also the proprietary, completely novel, and organic method for the extra rich consistency. This novel and clever combination of organically-grown ingredients impart the rich feel and moisturization of traditional luxury skin creams, without causing breakouts or blocking the penetration of ingredients.
The take-home message for my customer: you can still have it all in one product – uncompromising standards, uncompromising results and exceptional feel. I say it is The One-Step Skin Care Solution that does the thinking for you and is generous to your skin.(R)!!