Busselton-based Bernier Pharmaceuticals has proudly unveiled a ground-breaking new “double duty” sunscreen in what is believed to be an Australian first.
The newest addition to Bernier’s SolarCareB3 range, Defence SPF 50, is a broad-spectrum SPF formulated with 5% Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) – a powerhouse ingredient known for its sun-damage-busting properties.
Bernier CEO Doug Kelly said today’s launch marked a significant milestone and was the culmination of many years of hard work.
“Niacinamide is a well tolerated ingredient but can be difficult to formulate with, especially when combined with UV filters, so it took us a very long time to get this formula right – but today we can proudly say that we did it,” he said.
“Protecting against UV exposure while addressing existing sun-damage is essentially doing double duty against the sun so this is a huge milestone, not just for the company but all our customers, stockists and sun-loving Australians in general.”
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that, when applied twice a day for a minimum of three months, can help minimise the appearance of sun damage, redness, dryness, pigmentation, scaly lesions and other problematic outcomes of extended UV exposure.
It does this by helping replenish cellular energy and improving the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms.
All SolarCareB3 products are formulated with a minimum of 5% niacinamide, which is the scientifically-proven percentage needed to adequately support sun-damaged skin.
Mr Kelly acknowledged there were other sunscreens on the market formulated with niacinamide, but none with 5% niacinamide, at least not that he and other industry professionals were aware of.
A Busselton-based skin cancer doctor* who has long-watched the SolarCareB3 journey congratulated the company on the milestone and said she had yet to see anything like it on the market.
“As a skin cancer doctor, I recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day whenever going outdoors, which is most days; I also recommend applying SolarCareB3 twice daily for best results,” she said.
“The problem is, however, that if SolarCareB3 is applied before a sunscreen, the skin can be too greasy and compliance may be low.
“The problem could of course be solved by having a combination.
“I would definitely recommend the SPF 50 sunscreen with 5% niacinamide to my patients.”
SolarCareB3 was developed in the sun-loving coastal town of Busselton, where locals and tourists alike know all too well the long-term impacts of extended UV exposure.
Mr Kelly said a high niacinamide, high SPF product had been repeatedly requested by stockists and customers since the company launched almost a decade ago.
“This product has been a long time coming and we’re immensely proud of it,” he said.
“A single product doing double duty against the sun perfectly aligns with our ethos of simple, effective and affordable products for everyday Australians.”
Available in 160ml and 400ml sizes, Defence SPF 50 is available at www.solarcareb3.com.au and at leading pharmacies and skin clinics throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Defence SPF 50 joins the SolarCareB3 line of eight other products: three moisturisers with 5% niacinamide (500ml, 100ml, and a 250ml size with SPF 15); a 30g lip ointment with 5% pawpaw; two moisturisers with 10% niacinamide (50ml and 200ml); a 30ml serum with 2.3% hyaluronic acid and superoxide dismutase; and an oral supplement.
Defence SPF 50**:
- May assist in preventing and reducing the risk of some skin cancers
- Can aid in the prevention of:
- Solar keratosis
- Sunspot
- Premature skin ageing
DISCLAIMERS:
*The local skin cancer doctor could not be named due to regulatory reasons. Please contact Bernier Pharmaceuticals below if you wish to verify her identity and authenticity.
**The benefits and claims mentioned in this article have been carefully worded to adhere to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines. If you wish to repurpose this article, we kindly request that media outlets respect these regulatory requirements when presenting or modifying this information. For any clarifications or verification of claims, detailed product information and official TGA-approved documentation, please contact Bernier Pharmaceuticals.