Skincure™
A review of psoriasis claims made about the product Skincure™.
Skincure™, manufactured by Young Again Nutrients, is a zinc-pyrithione-based topical spray, claimed to be “the most effective over the counter treatment for the relief of symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, acne, rashes of all types (including diaper rash), cuts, scrapes, burns, poison ivy, insect bites, and even head lice.”
Parts of the above might be true, as zinc pyrithione (ZnP) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. However, as of 1990, the FDA specifically banned the use of ZnP in topical acne treatments for lack of proof of efficacy. Therefore, the company’s claim that ZnP has “full approval by the FDA” is questionable, at best.
The page also claims, “Twelve million people in the U.S. suffer from psoriasis and have nothing other than conventional tar-based shampoos and cream preparations for relief.” Asthis site should show, this is absurd. Also, the figure on the psoriatic population of the U.S. seems to be almost three times what the National Psoriasis Foundation claims.
They also claim that “Zinc [sulfate] has been shown by medical and scientific studies to be a vital skin nutrient and antioxidant.” This has not been shown at all for topical preparations, as every study I’ve seen about this was testing dietary supplements. There is little reason to believe that topically-applied zinc is absorbed and used the same way by the skin as ingested zinc.
And, incredibly, they compare Skincure to Skin-Cap, claiming Skincure “is superior to” Skin Cap based on the amount of product and the price. The comparison is apples and oranges, as Skin-Cap contained (or contains) a superpotent steroid.
Young Again Nutrients also has a site on Yahoo!, in which most of the above nonsense is repeated. However, they cite an actual source on this page. As it turns out, though, the article cited is simply a case study, with no good scientific practice apparent, and obvious bias on the part of the authors. It is certainly not evidence that all of the claims made are true (especially since the study focuses on psoriasis, and none of the other dozen ailments claimed to be treated by Skincure).
