Dermatologist Review of Mustela

Established in 1950, the French based brand Mustela is a product of Expanscience Laboratories, the sixth largest pharmaceutical company in France. Headquartered in Paris with manufacturing operations in Epernon (between Chartres and Paris), Expanscience has an in-house research and development program that maintains close ties with the CNRS (French National Research Institute) and INSERM (French National Institute for Medical Research). The Mustela brand represents just under one half of Expanscience's production volume and benefits from Expanscience's active research program which submits several patent applications each year. Expanscience's motto is:"Providing health and better well-being." Mustela's motto is "The skin care specialist for babies and mothers-to-be." Mustela has been available in Mexico since 1964 and in the United States since 1989.

Mustela has four distinct product lines. Mustela Bébé is designed for newborns, babies and young children. Mustela Sun Protection is designed to provide safe sun protection for the sensitive and immature skin of young children. Mustela Dermo-Pediatrics is designed to target specific skin disorders in newborns, babies and children. Mustela 9 Months represents a logical new addition for the brand and consists of a complete range of skin care specifically developed for future mothers.

Mustela's first product, Cleansing Lotion, was designed for newborns and launched in 1950. Today the Mustela Bébé line continues to be the flagship for the brand and makes up more than more than half of the overall Mustela product offering. Mustela Bébé includes products for cleansing (skin and hair), bathing, diaper changing and skin care. Mustela Bébé products are all similarly fragranced. The fragrance is relatively light and has a fresh, clean slightly floral powdery scent that is vaguely reminiscent of the clean fresh baby product smell often found in hospital maternity wards. Mustela Bébé products smell pleasingly familiar on infants. The products are well designed for their intended purposes and have been substantially refined and improved over the decades. Mustela Bébé products are easily distinguished from the other three Mustela lines by the prominent placement of Musti Bear, Mustela's mascot, which is found exclusively on Mustela Bébé product containers.

Mustela's Sun Product range dates back to 1960. Today Mustela offers a limited selection of fragrance-free mineral oxide based physical sun blocks containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The products available in the United States are rated SPF 50 and are very water resistant and broad spectrum. They tend to be a little thick and leave a hint of white residue but are considered very safe and effective even for young sensitive skins. This safety and effectiveness combined with the Mustela name make these products a big hit for parents seeking optimal sun protection methods for their children.

Mustela's Dermo-Pediatrics products have been designed in collaboration with dermatologists to address the most common skin problems of newborns, babies and children such as eczema, moderate to severe diaper rash and cradle cap. These products are hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and fragrance-free and contain no artificial coloring. Within Mustela's Dermo-Pediatrics range, the Stelatopia Line is formulated for dry eczema-prone skin. The line contains a patented sunflower oil distillate which helps promote hydration and enhance skin barrier function. Mustela views Stelatopia products as contributing to skin's active lipid-replenishing process. Stelactiv is a one product offering for moderate to severe diaper dermatitis that combines zinc oxide with three anti-enzymatic agents that help stop irritation and ease redness. Stelaker is a one product offering that helps alleviate and prevent cradle cap. Stelaker is non-irritating and helps limit proliferation of the harmless yeast-like organisms that sometimes play a role in cradle cap.

The Mustela 9 Months line is the most recent addition to the Mustela family and is the only complete line of products developed specifically to address the unique skin concerns associated with pregnancy and the post-partum period. These products contain three specific natural active ingredients - elastoregulator, lupeol and chlorophycea. The 9 Months line contains six products that are each designed to address a distinct pregnancy related skin concern. These six formulations are marketed to help prevent or minimize stretch marks, alleviate breast tightness, calm leg discomfort, correct pregnancy related dryness and address post-partum skin side effects. Mustela 9 Months products have a pleasant light floral fragrance and consistently attractive packaging. The range of formulations is diverse from gels to heavier creams. I personally tested these products and, from the male perspective, found the Instant Comfort Legs product to be quite soothing.

Mustela is a very well established and highly regarded brand designed for newborns, babies, young children and mothers. The products have a long track record and have benefited from consistent refinements since 1950 when the brand was introduced. Mustela continues to grow worldwide and remains an aspirational brand for mothers and mothers-to-be. The entire product line demonstrates care and diligence in research, formulation, packaging, branding and marketing. Mustela products are, in my opinion, among the best products available worldwide for 'youngsters' and their mothers.