BeautyNZ Magazine Autumn 2024

Cover
STORY
taking a massive risk and having
a hypothesis that went against
the dogma and proving it right
was worth it. Also proving that
apoptosis (programmed cell
death) occurs in plants and is
reversible, research that is still
citated today by other scientists.
Other career highlights include
inventing technologies and
products that I can see evidence
of my research when I go into a
supermarket; taking a botanical
natural drug through the
pharmaceutical route through
to FDA approval; and inventing
Myrecil which is the culmination of
30 years research.
Describe how your own
Q. experience with rosacea
has shaped your direction/
understanding around the
emotional impact of skin
conditions for women?
I would react badly to any make
A. up, my skin would burn and
developed broken capillaries.
Several doctors told me it was in
my head as in I was overblushing.
Make up counters would say you
have high colour you need green
corrector. I was made to feel like
it was my fault. People with skin
conditions often feel like everyone
is staring at them. They just want
healthy skin and not to be made to
feel it is their fault eg bad diet etc.
What advice has proved impactful
Q. in terms of being a successful
business woman?
Follow your gut instinct. There are
A. a lot of people out there trying to
rip you off or pretending they have
skills they do not. Never rush into
a deal, always take your time and
do your homework.
Three things you wish everyone
Q. understood about skincare?
Just because it says natural does
A. not mean it is a good product.
Natural products can also have
damaging effects on the skin such
as infections or skin irritations.
Ingredient names may be
the same, but how they are
manufactured and quality is what
makes the difference.
When people say they formulated
a skincare, what they often
mean is that they went to a
manufacturer who gave them
the base and they added a few
plant ingredients. To develop a
cream from scratch involves an
enormous amount of research
and is about fully understanding
the chemistry of every single
ingredient and how they interact
with each other.
What beauty/wellbeing habits
Q. you have formed which have
proven beneficial?
Sunscreen, antioxidant dietary
A. supplement and exercise.
Explain some of the stepping
Q. stones which led to you
recognising the importance of
protecting your IP and research?
I have been in patent litigation
A. battles, I have seen IP stolen
by competitors talking to junior
staff, and I know that once you
make a noise others will try and
steal or copy your ideas. So I have
always had the policy of staying
quiet until ready to fight.
What are you most proud of in
Q. terms of your Myrecil research?
That Myrecil actually changes
A. people’s lives and they can stop
worrying about skin conditions
and enjoy healthy skin. We
receive a steady stream of
emails, phone calls and visits
from people whose lives we
have changed. That is why I do
Myrecil.
What are some of the highlights
Q. of 2023 for you?
We have taken the research
A. to the next level proving that
Myrecil stimulates hyaluronic
acid synthesis and acts similar
to a retinoid, but without the
damaging side effects. We filed
a patent on this technology and
have now commenced marketing
to go global with this technology.
What are some goals for 2024
Q. you can share?
We are going big and taking on
A. a skin issue that all women face
and no one else has solved.
What is your advice for women
Q. in the beauty industry around
the importance of recognising
skin science?
Don’t be fooled by the marketing
A. hype. If someone claims
scientifically tested – did they do
the research or are they using
third party information? Skin is
very complex and the belief that
you can stress the skin to renew
it is causing long term damage.
AUTUMN 2024 EDITION
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