HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Skinfix Inc. has launched a natural, therapeutic body skin care line for diabetics at Rite Aid.

Skinfix said Monday that the Skinfix Diabetic Relief Skincare Regimen includes Skinfix Moisturizing Body Wash, Skinfix Daily Relief Lotion, Skinfix Hand Relief Cream and Skinfix Healing Foot & Leg Balm.

The regimen is clinically proven to soothe and protect the skin of people with diabetes, according to Skinfix. The products contain natural ingredients such as coconut, jojoba and apricot kernel oils. The company noted that the products do not include urea, a synthetic moisturizer and exfoliator that can irritate already-sensitive skin. Skinfix also leaves out other potential skin irritants, such as fragrance, soy, gluten, sulfates, parabens and phthalates.

“The skin health needs of someone living with diabetes are very different than someone who suffers from general dry skin,” according to Amy Gordinier-Regan, president of Skinfix. “As the experts in healing dry and irritated skin, we created a safe, gentle and natural body skin care regimen that will make a difference in the overall skin health of people living with diabetes.”

Skinfix said the Healing Foot & Leg Balm was clinically tested by a podiatrist on people with diabetes and proven to be a safe, effective product for moisturizing dry, cracked skin on legs and feet by 83%. Meanwhile, the Hand Relief Cream was clinically tested by a dermatologist on people with diabetes and proven to immediately increase skin hydration on dry, cracked hands by 74%.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about a third of people with diabetes will develop a skin problem. High levels of glucose can cause the body to lose fluids, which can lead to dry, cracked and irritated skin, particularly on the legs, feet and hands. In addition, nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) can lead to numb, injury-prone feet which if not cared for can lead to foot or leg amputation. Frequent glucose monitoring and hand washing can also leave hands and fingertips split and irritated.

“It is time to focus on skin health. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as poor circulation in the legs and feet, can make it difficult to notice skin damage. If skin irritations are not cared for properly, they can lead to infections,” stated Dr. Elise Brett, an endocrinologist and associate clinical professor for the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Keeping skin properly cleaned and moisturized needs to become a daily ritual for people living with diabetes.”

The Skinfix Moisturizing Body Wash and Skinfix Daily Relief Lotion come in 12.5 fl. oz. pump containers and retail for $19.99. The Skinfix Hand Relief Cream and Skinfix Healing Foot & Leg Balm are available in 2 oz. tubes and retail for $15.99 and $17.99, respectively.