Dermatologist Review of Perricone MD

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals was founded in Meriden Connecticut in 1997 by the eponymous board certified dermatologist Nicolas V. Perricone, MD. Shortly after Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals was founded, Dr. Perricone acquired worldwide fame as a result of his skin care products, books, speeches, theories and marketing success. Dr. Perricone’s views on dermatology and skin care are influenced by his longstanding interest in nutrition. In fact, Dr. Perricone’s chooses to use the acronyms M.D. (Medical Doctor) along with F.A.C.N. (Fellow of the American College of Nutrition) rather than F.A.A.D. (Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology) of which he is also a member. Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals are very much an extension of founder Dr. Perricone’s complex mystique. Dr. Perricone’s mystique has resulted in lots of colorful prose that has, interestingly, seemed to help propel his brand forward.

Dr Perricone has risen from obscurity to fame in the short span of a decade. He has had the good fortune to train at an excellent Medical School (Michigan State) and dermatology training program (Henry Ford Hospital) prior to opening his dermatology practice in Connecticut. Today, however, Dr. Perricone’s dermatology practice is very minimal as he is understandably involved with his skin care and nutritional supplement activities as well as his research-related and philosophical works.

Dr. Perricone has written several books over the years that explain his views on health and aging. His philosophies serve as the basis for the exclusive Perricone MD Cosmeceutical product offering. A key hypothesis of Dr. Perricone’s research relates to the notion outlined in his first book that inflammation is the single greatest precipitator of aging and age-related diseases. The overall scope of Perricone’s philosophy and product development is based on devising ways to counteract this inflammation/aging axis. Utilizing the inflammation theory of aging as a basic premise, Perricone has expanded his philosophy in different directions in subsequent writings.

Dr. Perricone has designed a three tiered program to control inflammation. The first tier relates to his recommendations regarding consumption of an anti-inflammatory diet. The ideal anti-inflammatory diet in this program contains lots of high quality protein, healthy fats, spring water and anti-oxidant rich beverages. The second tier consists of a targeted nutritional supplement regimen including coenzyme Q-10, vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid. Perricone MD’s Nutriceutical offering is designed to fulfill the requirements of this second tier. The third tier consists of topical anti-oxidants designed to work synergistically with diet and supplements. The Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals offering contains patented ingredients and is formulated to deliver topical antioxidants within a product offering that also works to help make skin look more healthy and youthful. The Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals offering is intended to serve as the third tier of this program.

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals is a moderately sized skin care offering of over 25 distinct skin care products including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, eye area products and a few mineral oxide based sunscreen products. A big focus of the offering is, of course, anti-aging treatments. In fact, the majority of the Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals offering is promoted for anti-aging purposes. Perricone MD has introduced and popularized a number of key ingredients that are present in the line’s anti-aging skin care products. lipoic acid, DMAE and phospholipids top Perricone’s list of novel key ingredients while tocotrienols (vitamin E variants), vitamin C ester, neuropeptides and olive oil polyphenols round out the list. The basis for selection of these key ingredients for Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals stems from their value as determined in basic science experiments. The trail from basic science to clinical and aesthetic efficacy can sometimes be fuzzy, however, especially when clinical studies are exceptionally limited as they are with these key ingredients. Nevertheless, Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals have been a smash hit in the United States and, more recently, around the world in tandem with Dr. Perricone’s books. Clearly the market has found value in these products and publications.

The success of Perricone MD Cosmeceutical products is a study in successful marketing. The line has very consistent branding with the Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals name and the mortar and pestle logo on all products. Perricone holds over fifty trademarks for things such as Cold Plasma and the line’s latest, Daylight Savings, a presumably soon to be launched sunscreen product now in development. The packaging is very old school medical – apothecary style UV-restricting tan glass bottles and jars with black tops and pumps. Labels also respect the apothecary style - light or dark uniform colored panels with opposite contrasting simple font print. The packaging quality is good and the boxes are said to be manufactured using wind energy in a carbon neutral facility. Nutritional supplements are packaged with a similar artistic style.

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals are among the more popular high end skin care products. Many of the formulations have been exceptionally well received. A particularly well liked product is the trademarked ‘No Foundation Foundation’ that serves as a moisturizer, one-color-fits-all foundation and sunscreen all-in-one. I have found that some Perricone MD products do have a marine or turmeric nose that is unusual in skin care. Cold Plasma Eye is particularly fragrant in this way which I suspect relates to properties of one or more of the key ingredients. Cold Plasma Eye is a very effective and rich emollient cream that provides long lasting hydration of the delicate eye area without irritation.

Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals is a very interesting product line with a unique and intriguing brand story. Dr. Perricone has taken the media world by storm over the past decade – being featured on PBS, CBS and Larry King on CNN. His books have been best sellers and his skin care and nutritional supplement offering has also been well received by the high end skin care and supplements markets. Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals seemingly fits the concept of a trendy product offering. This trend, however, is still going strong after a decade in the spotlight. Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals continues to innovate and move forward. Rumor is that new products – Crinkle Eraser, No Shadow Shadow and Facelift in a Fridge are on the drawing board – providing yet more reasons to give Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals a try.