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An Interview with James Macfarlan, Corporate Marketing Manager at Cantabria Labs
Cantabria Labs is a global healthcare company that produces pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. It operates in over 80 countries and develops proprietary ingredients and patented technologies. It leads in dermatologist prescriptions in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Its work is entirely science-based, and its motto is "Celebrating Life."
Why did you choose to invest the most resources and effort in specializing in dermatology and dermocosmetics?
Cantabria Labs, with its international recognition as one of the most solid pharmaceutical firms in our segment, made its first steps in dermatology in 1989 with the drug Difur. After extensive R&D, several acquisitions, patents, and purchases, we entered 2021 staying true to the same spirit: reinventing ourselves daily to be a dynamic young company that follows its dreams and contributes to building a better and healthier world for everyone.
Are there criteria to distinguish high-quality cosmetic products? Can we rely solely on the packaging?
As mentioned, high-quality cosmetic products can be created through innovation, research and development, top-quality standards, and numerous studies supporting the efficacy of the ingredients in the formula. The quality of the ingredients is essential for providing effective, safe, and well-tolerated cosmetics. The best guarantee is the professional advice of well-trained dermatologists.
Cantabria Labs is a science and innovation-based company. For us, scientific validation is the key to gaining the support of doctors and dermatology specialists, which is impossible without product effectiveness. Moreover, Cantabria Labs' production centers meet the highest quality standards, manufacturing and distributing over 30 million product units each year.
How long does it take to develop a high-quality and effective cosmetic product – from discovery to patenting?
Developing a quality cosmetic product can take 1-2 years. Cantabria Labs currently has over 120 prototypes. Many will succeed in reaching the market, while others will not. Quality standards and efficacy will determine which products are launched.
Our core rule is to follow the professional advice of healthcare specialists. Miracles don't happen overnight. It is essential to carefully follow the proposed protocols and adhere to them for the recommended period.
Among all the patented ingredients of Cantabria Labs, which is the most revolutionary and why?
The secret of our technologies lies in their natural origin and effectiveness. Perhaps the most iconic is the Fernblock® technology, the primary active ingredient in the HELIOCARE® sun protection range. It is an exceptional standardized extract from the plant Polypodium Leucotomos (a fern from the tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America). The extract has powerful protective, antioxidant, and restorative effects, applicable both topically and orally. It protects against all four types of radiation (UVB, UVA, visible light, and IR – infrared radiation) and prevents both immediate damage (e.g., sunburn) and long-term damage like skin aging, dark spots, allergies, and even skin cancer.
Fernblock® has demonstrated its benefits in over 50 studies and scientific publications. Initially developed in collaboration with leading dermatologists from Harvard Medical School, it has gained approval from top specialists worldwide. Its effectiveness continues to be researched with excellent results. Additionally, its extraction method has been optimized, enhancing its activity and leading to a next-generation extract: Fernblock®+.
Tell us more about your other successful technologies – the snail extract that regenerates the skin and the Arctic grass extract that protects against polluted air and blue screen light.
With the SCA® Growth Factor technology, based on a specially extracted snail secretion, we discovered a valuable tool for skin regeneration. This led to the revolutionary ENDOCARE cosmetic line, meeting the most advanced market needs and trends.
Twenty years later, the patented EDAFENCE® technology added more innovation with another natural extract (this time from Antarctica), showing activity in preventing and repairing damage caused by harmful environmental factors.
EDAFENCE® from Cantabria Labs is a patented technology that extracts active ingredients from the leaves of Deschampsia antarctica, a grass that survives in extreme environmental conditions. Through numerous laboratory studies, we found that EDAFENCE® inhibits metalloproteinases in human skin cells. These substances are directly linked to external aging, making EDAFENCE® highly effective against various pollutants and harmful agents, including oxidizers, tobacco smoke, heavy metals, solar radiation, and urban pollutants.
Why is it important to use a cream to protect our skin from urban pollution or blue screen light? For many people, this sounds abstract since they cannot see the damage caused by the environment.
Our skin is the first protective barrier of the body that comes into contact with the environment. All cells and layers of the skin participate in building this barrier.
However, some environmental factors can compromise the cells, making the skin vulnerable. For example, it is well-known that sunlight exposes us to oxidative stress, photoaging, and the risk of developing skin cancer in the long term. What is less known is the harmful effect of blue light emitted by digital devices. It can reach the deepest skin layers, causing DNA damage and accelerating photoaging. Essentially, the only way to combat these harmful effects is by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
The same applies to pollution. Studies show that people living in highly polluted areas develop spots and signs of aging much earlier than those in less polluted areas. Specific active ingredients in protective cosmetics can help in this case.
Do we need a dermatologist's prescription to buy expensive cosmetics?
A prescription is not required, but it is essential for a medical professional to recommend cosmetics with higher concentrations of active ingredients for different skin conditions.
Are there risks if Cantabria Labs products are used without consultation and prescription from a dermatologist?
As mentioned, Cantabria Labs products have proven their safety and efficacy in numerous studies. However, we always recommend seeking professional advice from a dermatologist. This specialist can determine the type of care your skin needs.
How do you plan to welcome and embrace 2022?
We are rapidly developing innovative drugs, dietary products, and cosmetics that will allow us to solidify our leadership in current medical specialties while exploring new areas.
In 2022, Cantabria Labs plans to maintain its leadership as the most prescribed dermatological care in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. We will continue developing dietary supplements through our Cantabria Labs Medical Nutrition division and expand our pharmaceutical portfolio.
Cantabria Labs will also remain committed to social responsibility through informational campaigns organized annually with Rafael Nadal. He is our ambassador, promoting the motto “give your all to what truly matters” by taking care of your health.
What is your recommendation for fulfilling Cantabria Labs' motto "Celebrate Life"?
This is achieved by improving people's health and quality of life.
About Cantabria Labs…
Cantabria Labs is a Spanish pharmaceutical company specializing in the production of medicines, cosmetic products, and dietary supplements. A leader in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, it is also present in over 80 countries worldwide.
Cantabria Labs develops proprietary ingredients based on numerous laboratory studies and holds patents for unique products. Among the top brands in its cosmetic lines are Heliocare (photoprotection), Endocare (skin regeneration), Neoretin (anti-aging), Biretix (anti-acne), and Iraltone (hair care for seborrhea). In 2020, the company acquired the popular body care brand Elancyl.
Cantabria Labs is dedicated to human health care, aiming to rank among the top ten dermo-cosmetic laboratories in Europe and become one of the most significant international pharmaceutical manufacturers globally.
