Cosmeceuticals on the rise

When cosmetics such as anti-wrinkle creams, moisturizers and sunscreens contain biologically active ingredients, they are now known by the term "cosmeceuticals," a results-oriented marriage of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Finding the market for cosmeceuticals on the rise worldwide, local distributor Cytherea, Inc. decided to ride the wave by teaming up with Australia’s leading skin care manufacturer to bring Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals to the Philippines.

"What caught our attention was the comprehensive range of products of Skin Doctors. Everybody’s betting that if there is a cosmetic problem out there, then there is a Skin Doctors product to help treat it. From wrinkles and aging skin with proven alternatives to botox, laser, and collagen injections to surgical enhancing alternatives for plumper lips or even an instant eyelift," explained Cytherea’s marketing and corporate affairs director, Shelly Bago-Lazaro.

Skin Doctors started in 1998 with Vein Away, a topical cream designed to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. It is now Australia’s "best selling and most recognizable" topical treatment product.

Cytherea is positioning Skin Doctors as "a good alternative to cosmetic surgical procedures, which means, you can achieve clinical-strength results." Hence, the tagline, "bridging the gap between cosmetics and surgery."

Skin Doctors’ products are formulated and manufactured by Cat Media, Australia’s fastest growing health and beauty organization with a strong presence in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. It has offices in London and New York and more than 6,000 distribution outlets in place. Cytherea is the exclusive Philippine distributor for Skin Doctors.

"Our products are based on painstaking, cutting-edge research and are packed with more ingredients, that is, at the highest dosage allowable, giving visible results fast. Users experience dramatic improvements in as little as seven days."

Currently available locally are 19 Skin Doctors products for tanning, acne-prone skin, anti-aging, instant effects for eyelift and lip plumping, and specialized face and body care including Vein Away and Stretch Away, a stretch mark reduction cream.

"We’re convinced that Skin Doctors has the solution to make life more beautiful for everyone. We’re happy to have made that decision to bring their products here. Customers can’t seem to get their hands off these miracle creams. Our products are for those who are passionate about results and value for money," said Lazaro.

Sales of Skin Doctors have quadrupled since becoming available last November at Rustan’s Essences in Makati, Shangri-La, Gateway, Harrison Plaza, Robinson’s Manila, Alabang and Cebu.

Cytherea is looking for other retailers who want to carry Skin Doctors, especially outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Specialty skincare boutiques, facial salons and spas may also consider representing Skin Doctors.

"We guarantee good margins and flexible terms. Initial investment is negotiable and would depend really on how much profit a potential sub-distributor wants to make," Lazaro assured.

* * *

Cytherea, Inc. (Exclusive Philippine Distributor of Skin Doctors) 27/F Trident Tower
312 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
793 7104
www.skindoctors.com.au