Dermatologist Review of DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories

Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories (DCL) was founded in 1980 by Milton Sarkin in New Haven, Connecticut. DCL is the precursor and sister company of Milbar Laboratories which was founded in 1988. DCL/Milbar Labs is privately held and produces the DCL product offering as well as products for other leading brands and private labels. Today DCL and Milbar Labs share corporate premises and are housed in a large state-of-the-art FDA/OTC registered facility within a modern industrial park near Long Island Sound.

DCL is a well established skin care brand that is recommended by dermatologists across the country. For the past few years DCL has retained its own in-house board-certified consultant dermatologist, Manhattan, NY based Neal Schultz, MD. This partnership was formed to facilitate DCL’s understanding and accommodation of skin care product preferences amongst dermatologists and their patients.

DCL invests in clinical testing of its products with select board certified dermatologists. DCL’s non-blinded, non-placebo controlled studies have documented the efficacy of the product offering with respect to wrinkle reduction/anti-aging as well as acne management.

DCL has an extensive product offering. There is a large selection of facial cleansers, moisturizers, eye care products, masks, and toners. In addition, DCL offers several specific facial treatment products and regimens. The DCL line also contains five distinct sun protection products which are niched for particular use parameters.

DCL promotes some of its products as separate entities and as components of specific systems – anti-aging, acne and AHA step-up. The acne treatment system, for example, consists of a salicylic acid based subset of DCL's complete acne product offering and is designed to be used as a complete kit.

The AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) system is particular well thought out. It is formulated in three glycolic acid strengths from 10 to 20%, allowing for users with difference tolerance of glycolic acid to select the best strength. This graduated concentration of glycolic also allows users to “step-up” to higher levels of glycolic acid as their skin adjusts and becomes better able to tolerate glycolic acid. At each level of glycolic acid there are three product types available; solutions or gels for oily skin, lotions for normal skin, and creams for dryer skin. These nine products thus allow for a range of glycolic acid sensitivities and skin types to be properly matched with an appropriate glycolic product.

The offering from DCL is so vast that it can almost become a challenge to focus on specific products within the line. The key ingredient list within DCL's offering is also rather extensive and includes vitamin C, glycolic acid, retinol, peptides, herbal extracts, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract and a number of other novel compounds.

DCL's sunscreen offering ranges from SPF 15 to SPF 50. Sunscreen products range from those that are appropriate for active people with oily skin at one extreme to those who have dry skin requiring a more moisturizing product at the other. The sunscreen line utilizes both physical and chemical actives including micronized, titanium, and zinc as well as a few of the more effective and well-tolerated chemical agents.

DCL also offers hand and body lotion and a higher potency body moisturizer as well as a hydroxy acid lotion for the body. The body product offering also includes a therapeutic tar bath and an anti-itch lotion.

DCL also offers well-packaged and relatively cosmetically elegant collection of dandruff shampoos, including products with tar, zinc, and salicylic acid. A moisturizing hair conditioner is also available and is designed to complement the shampoo offering.

Three recent key additions to the DCL line include Peptide Plus Eye Treatment, Peptide Plus Treatment Serum and an SPF 30 UVA/UVB Chemfree Superblock. I have recently experienced these products. Peptide Plus Eye Treatment contains a peptide matrix designed to enhance eye area aesthetics along with antioxidant and hydrating complexes. The product comes in a thin cylindrical white plastic stick with a simple functional pump. The packaging is simple-clean and clinically oriented. The product is off white, has a transient minimal inoffensive odor and is very smooth. It spreads evenly and easily, absorbs well, and provides good hydration. Peptide Plus Treatment Serum is a marketed as a multifunctional product that with peptides, antioxidants and other factors that brightens, hydrates, and rejuvenates. The serum s packaged in a similar but wider cylindrical stick. The serum is also off-white in color with a nice transient citrus scent. Like the eye treatment, the treatment serum spreads evenly and smoothly and absorbs well. These two products provide a nice finish to the skin which can be enhanced by layering a moisturizer if needed.

DCL’s SPF 30 micronized zinc and titanium based sunscreen is a quality product. It is dispensed as a thicker lotion that spreads reasonably well. It absorbs well too leaving a nice finish but, like virtually all physical sunscreens, requires massage to minimize the accumulation of zinc in areas and resultant whitish cast. I did find that the product provided a slightly whiter look to my skin due to the zinc but it was subtle and not problematic. This sunscreen demonstrated stable properties over the course of a busy day. It protected well and stayed in place. Importantly, it did not migrate to the conjunctiva/eyes and is thus a great choice for those with sensitive eyes or contacts. I found this to be a very competent product and view it as a wise choice for those with lighter skin types.

DCL products are attractively packaged. Packaging consists primarily of tubes and plastic bottles. The line does not utilize any jars. Most DCL products are packaged in understated white containers with consistent aesthetically pleasing low-key branding.

My general impression of DCL skin care is that the products are well made with quality ingredients and intelligent formulation. The pricing is very reasonable and the products are thoughtfully packaged and presented and pleasant to use.

DCL products have been popular with dermatologists for many years. The product offering represents an effective and cosmetically elegant approach to skin care that provides value for the patients of dermatologists, as well as the public at large. Given the 25 year plus history of this brand, its close affiliation with dermatology and the quality and value that the offering represents, I anticipate DCL will likely remain a leading product offering within the dermatologic community for the foreseeable future.