Desert Harvest wins National Eczema Association approval
1 Mar 2022 --- Desert Harvest has gained National Eczema Association (NEA) approval for its Aloe Glide skin care vaginal moisturizer and sexual lubricant. Commenting on what it means to receive NEA Seal of Acceptance, the natural skin care brand’s CEO Heather Florio, shares: “For Desert Harvest it is recognition and validation for us of our commitment to making products that are safe and effective.”
Click to EnlargeSource: Desert HarvestAloe Glide is the second product in Desert Harvest’s range to receive such approval. The NEA seal is displayed on skin care products that have been approved by the association. Its aim is to help consumers find and select products that are suitable for consumers taking care of eczema or sensitive skin.
In order to obtain NEA acceptance, Florio says: “Desert Harvest had to undergo a rigorous evaluation of our Aloe Glide by NEA. This process can give consumers comfort in knowing that products that receive this seal have been tested and evaluated to ensure that those that suffer from Eczema will be safe when using Desert Harvest Aloe Glide.”
Desert Harvest’s Aloe Glide product is described as a 100% all-natural aloe vera-based vaginal moisturizer and sexual lubricant. It is designed for consumers experiencing dryness, itching, inflammation, burning or any pain associated with a number of conditions, including vulvar irritation, pain during sex, pelvic floor dysfunction and cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, among others.
In working towards achieving the NEA approval, the process Desert Harvest underwent first involved applying human skin patch testing to Aloe Glide to ensure there was no irritation caused by the product. It was then tested by the NEA to verify ingredients and safety. The final step was to send all the testing to the NEA medical board for review by doctors to make sure the product met the requirements and needs of their patients.
Using the microbiome
“One of the most unique things about Desert Harvest Aloe Glide is our unique processed Aloe Vera,” says Florio. Detailing how Desert Harvest compares to other sexual lubricant brands on the market, Florio explains: “Our concentrated aloe vera has been shown in studies to rebalance the vaginal microbiome to keep tissues healthy and help a woman make her own natural moisture. Aloe Glide can not only be used as a sexual lubricant, but can be inserted vaginally daily to just keep tissues healthy and moisturized.”
In addition, it is one of only a few sexual lubricants on the market that are iso-osmolar. “Osmolality refers to the measurement of dissolved particles (e.g., aloe, oil) per unit of water,” says Florio. “Ideally, for women, this means you want your lubricant’s osmolality to mimic your vaginal secretion’s osmolality so that they play nicely together.” Highlighting the unique quality of the product, Florio shares: “The osmolality of vaginal secretions is between 260-290. When choosing a lubricant, this means, you will want to look for one with an osmolality in a similar range (iso-osmolar) —anything in the range of 136-380 is iso-osmolar.”
Using lubricants that fall within this range, Florio states, ensures the cells of the vaginal wall (vaginal epithelium) stay healthy. The vaginal epithelium is a protective barrier and, Florio adds, studies have shown that damage to epithelial cells can lead to increased incidence of bacterial vaginosis and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. “Unfortunately, most lubricants on the market contain chemical ingredients with osmolality numbers over 10,000 that destroy our vaginal walls,” Florio notes.
Desert Harvest has formulated its Aloe Glide product with an osmolality of 308, which the brand states mimics women's natural lubrication. Importantly, the brand also says that with this level, the product’s use will not disrupt the natural flora needed to fight off infection.
Equipped with its newly-awarded NEA acceptance, Desert Harvest believes this solidifies its position in the marketplace. “For Desert Harvest, it is now another tool we have in our wheelhouse to show the safety and efficacy of our products,” Florio expresses. “It will allow us to set ourselves apart from the competition.”
The brand advocates and strives to educate women about their bodies and how to safely take care of them. “My hope is that with this acceptance it will broaden our reach and allow us to provide education and tools to many more people,” Florio says.
By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe, BPC Insights Senior Journalist
