VMV is the first company to define the concept of hypoallergenicity with special regard to the tropics, skin in the tropics, and the Southeast Asian region— with special consideration to the multi-heritage skin of Filipinos (with its indo-malay, caucasian, hispanic, asiatic and aboriginal mixtures).

VMV Hypoallergenics creates Superskin, patented as the first Retinoic Acid and Clindamycin-containing skin care product for consumer use.

Our founding dermatologist defines the sun sensitivity typing of “Tropical Skin.” Making an important move away from the culturally impractical and inappropriate burning and tanning light responses, VMV’s Sun Sensitivity Typing System bases its results on: the wide spectrum of racial backgrounds within the region (Caucasian, Latin, North and South Asian, Indo-Malay, and Aboriginal, as well as the various mixtures thereof); skin colour over and undertones, skin reddening, and immediate and delayed skin darkening responses.

VMV Hypoallergenics differentiates the use of sunscreens for brown skin based upon cultural mores and light-induced skin problems in the tropics: the total prevention of tanning, protection from the development of melasma, protection from indoor light and heat sources, and complete opacity for the photo-sensitive.

Skin Sciences Research Center, with our founding dermatologist, undertakes outdoor field studies at the height of summer in the tropics to establish actual Sun Protection Factors (SPF) and Immediate Pigment Darkening Protection Factors (IPDPF) of various commercial sunscreens, including those of VMV Hypoallergenics. Further testing is conducted to determine the SPF and IPDPF substantivity of these products after sweating and water immersion. In 1990, at the 9th Regional Conference of Dermatology in Kuala Lumpur, a Poster presenting 3 summers of Outdoor Field Studies was awarded First Prize— Poster Presentation. When presented in 1992 at the 10th Regional Conference of Dermatology (Asia-Australasia), this research was highlighted as an innovative and important study of the effects of the sun in the tropics.

Skin Sciences Research Center, with our founding dermatologist and her residents, is the first company in the region to perform extensive clinical studies on the qualitative and quantitative effects and safety of skin lightening creams. Efficacy and gentleness are the primary goals for creating products capable of lightening and erasing discolourations increasingly common among brown skin in the tropics. Clinical studies include Azelaic Acid vs. Hydroquinone (1); Azelaic Acid (3), Kojic Acid and Glycolic Acid (2), plus ongoing comparison studies on Licorice, Bearberry, Kojic Acid, Melawhite and broad spectrum sunscreens alone (3++).