Cover STORY A FRESH PERSPECTIVE 28 Dr Iona Weir has earned many titles – CEO, chief scientist, ethical skincare leader, cell biologist, researcher, pioneer; to name just a few. There’s no denying that her lifelong passion for both science and skincare is pivotal to her being an industry game changer. These titles combine harmoniously and continue to drive Iona’s passion around harnessing the healing power of nature and science. BEAUTYNZ MAGAZINE
Cover STORY By Lisa Potter The founder and CEO of Atopis is one of a small minority of women scientists successfully globally patenting her research. Her innovative approach to long-term skin health is truly revolutionary. Although backed by decades of powerful knowledge and research, Atopis quite simply delivers around its driving philosophy: healthy skin is beautiful skin. Proven credentials With more than 35 years as a scientist, Iona gained her PhD from the Cancer Research labs of the University of Auckland by being first to discover that the fundamental cellular process of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in plants could be reversed. She later went on to apply this to human cancer and immune cells, which led her into fields such as botanical drug discovery, immune modulation and particularly gut health. Her most recent patent is Myrecil®, which is now at the heart of Atopis and AtopisMed® products. All Atopis and AtopisMed® products are not just made in New Zealand, they are invented here too. Added to that, Atopis is the only New Zealand skincare brand manufactured to pharmaceutical/GMP standards, rather than just cosmetic manufacturing standards. The breakthrough daily care and dermatological products are sold in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Lifelong Goals Driven by science, discovery and a desire to innovate, over the years Iona has continued to explore the connections between cell signalling, gut health and immunology. This resulted in learnings around how these inner processes could have a remarkable effect on the outside too – on the skin. Adding to her motivation, Iona’s interest in skincare wasn’t just scientific – it was also personal. “I had skin problems for most of my adult life, and all the money I spent on so- called ‘beauty science’ not only didn’t work, it usually made things worse,” she admits. Armed with her experience with botanical chemistry, microbiology, probiotic encapsulation and how to manipulate plants to produce bioactives to reverse cellular apoptosis, Iona began the journey to create a radical new approach to skin health. As part of this undertaking, she also noted that at the time there was almost no skin science created by female scientists. “There’s nothing wrong with men creating skin care – they’ve got skin too! But women are different, right down to the cellular level. And I found there was a basic disconnect between what I needed, and what the beauty industry was trying to sell me. So as I’m a scientist, I thought I might as well figure out what was missing myself.” Her drive and fresh approach yielded impressive results, including research around what is now her patented Myrecil®. A biologically fermented set of isomers especially designed to reset natural cell renewal and defence systems like apoptosis and antibody activation, it’s so powerful and safe that as well as topical usage with Atopis creams, Myrecil® can be used in Atopis Dietary Supplements to work along the gut-skin axis for true inside-out treatment. “My approach is to reset and reactivate your skin’s fundamental natural systems – systems that can go awry for many reasons, such as the mostly artificial environment we now live in. Once your skin has reset – a process over usually 30-60 days – you just need minimal maintenance, because obviously factors behind the issues, like genetics or environmental stressors, aren’t going anywhere.” Global implications Dr Weir’s innovative science, developed here in Aotearoa New Zealand using all-natural ingredients, is creating a stir internationally. Atopis and The Myrecil® Ingredient now hold multiple global patents, with more pending. Eczema clinical trials in the USA and New Zealand have demonstrated Myrecil® reduces the symptoms of eczema, but also as a side benefit appeared to plump the skin in a similar manner to retinoids. Cellular assays have confirmed that Myrecil has retinoid like activity, is more effective but without the side effects. This is a major breakthrough, as long-term use of retinols can cause redness, thinning and prematurely aging skin, increased sun sensitivity as well as more serious issues. “The Myrecil Ingredient works with your own natural cellular defence and renewal systems to restore skin,” she says. AUTUMN <strong>2024</strong> EDITION 29
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