La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment Wins 2010 Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty Award

Revolutionary acne treatment wins the beauty industry's highest honor as Best Acne Treatment

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May 25, 2010, 11:14 ET

NEW YORK, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment was named the winner in the Best Acne Treatment category at the annual Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty Awards gala luncheon, held on Friday, May 21st at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100525/NY10168 )

The beauty industry's highest honor, the CEW Beauty Awards recognize the most innovative beauty products of the year. Finalists are selected by nearly 4,000 CEW members representing over 1,100 companies in the beauty and related industries, and winners are selected by CEW Board Members, who have direct interaction with the development of beauty products. All voting is confidential and is officially tabulated by Ernst & Young.

Sex and the City 2 star and comedian Mario Cantone, the event's emcee, presented the award to La Roche-Posay, exclaiming that the winning acne treatment was "spot on." In front of a full house that included beauty industry executives and CEW members, La Roche-Posay Assistant Vice President of Marketing Anne-Marie Nelson-Bogle accepted the award on behalf of the brand, thanking the members of CEW and the beauty editors that helped garner valuable exposure for the product. She also touted the benefits of Effaclar AI, noting that the product is the first to combine Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA), a salicylic acid derivative, with micronized benzoyl peroxide to visibly reduce acne in as little as three days.

About Effaclar AI

While some current products on the market that treat acne primarily target teenagers, acne actually affects 50% of adult women as well(1). Traditional Benzoyl Peroxide, a leading ingredient to treat active acne, can result in irritation, redness and dryness, particularly in adult skin that can be more sensitive. La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment helps visibly reduce stubborn and inflammatory acne in only three days, while minimizing irritation.

This formula takes a unique approach to treat imperfections with the association of two effective ingredients for the first time: (1) Lipo-Hydroxy-Acid (LHA), a pro-exfoliating molecule designed to micro-exfoliate the skin and stimulate cell renewal and (2) Benzoyl Peroxide to treat acne in an innovative micronized form.

INNOVATION: Synergistic Combination of Unique Ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide, which in its traditional form, can be irritating in high concentrations. Effaclar AI provides Benzoyl Peroxide in an innovative micronized form to release active oxygen and target acne deep in the pores. Effaclar AI contains a 5.5% concentration of Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide which is clinically proven to effectively clear inflammatory acne, while also providing deeper penetration through micronization and minimal irritation.

Lipo-Hydroxy-Acid (LHA), an exclusive pro-exfoliating molecule to micro-exfoliate the skin and stimulate cell renewal to help even skin tone, including residual skin marking. Developed by La Roche-Posay's advanced research team, the LHA molecule (lipo-hydroxy-acid) is a lipophilic derivative of salicylic acid that incorporates a fatty chain for improved affinity with the sebum in the epidermis allowing for faster skin regeneration. LHA offers precise, cell-by-cell exfoliation proven to exfoliate six times more the number of corneocytes than salicylic acid(2).

As a result, the benefit for users is a product that not only treats acne but also helps even skin tone and minimize residual skin marking.

Clinical testing shows that papule acne (red, inflamed pimples) is reduced by 31% in three days and 63% in 10 days, while pustule acne (the most common form of stubborn acne) is reduced by 33% in three days and nearly 60% in 10 days. Both blackhead and whitehead forms of retentional acne are reduced by 55% in 10 days.

Effaclar AI is also non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested and tested on sensitive skin.

Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment from La Roche-Posay has a suggested retail price of $29.00 and can be purchased at select physicians' offices, CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade locations with Dermo-Skincare Centers, and online at www.laroche-posay.us.

About LA ROCHE-POSAY

Recommended by more than 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, La Roche-Posay is the dermatologists' brand of choice for their patients' skin. La Roche-Posay offers a unique range of daily skincare developed with dermatologists to meet their standards in efficacy, tolerance and elegant textures for increased compliance. The products, which are developed using a strict formulation charter, include a minimal number of ingredients to reduce side effects and reactivity and are formulated with active ingredients at optimal concentrations for increased efficacy. Additionally, every La Roche-Posay product undergoes stringent clinical testing to guarantee efficacy and safety, even on the most sensitive skin. As a leader in high UVA protection, La Roche-Posay Anthelios sunscreens provide advanced patented sunscreen technologies, including Mexoryl SX and CELL-OX Shield™, with broad-spectrum protection and high photostability in revolutionary textures. La Roche-Posay products can be purchased at select physicians' offices, CVS/pharmacy and Duane Reade locations, and online at www.laroche-posay.us.

(1) American Academy of Dermatology, "Prevalence of Facial Acne in Adults", 2005

(2) Based on in vitro data

SOURCE La Roche-Posay