US. Dermatologists are helping to drive the growing trend for the establishment of medical spas and the idea of medicine and luxury meeting is not new, although it is sometimes controversial. Now, one of the leading practitioners, the hot New York-based “cosmeceutical” brand NV Perricone is opening a Latin America division and is looking to make an impression in travel retail.
The company, founded by dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, known for his best-selling books ‘The Wrinkle Cure’ and ‘The Perricone Prescription’ (a 28 day programme for face and body rejuvenation published autumn 2002) has just appointed a new distribution company NV Perricone MD Latin America, with exclusive regional sales rights. This separate operation is being headed by Ari Lustbader, to spearhead growth mainly in Brazil, Mexico and the Caribbean, in duty free and domestic markets.
Judging by Perricone’s press coverage, US consumers have been eating up his message about how to look and feel younger in their millions. In his books he advocates a complete approach to younger looking skin from the outside, with a range of cosmeceutical products, and from the inside, with a healthy diet and with the help of nutriceutical diet supplements.
NV Perricone has extensive US domestic distribution through counters at Saks Beauty Center in Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora US and other leading stores and is looking for its first breakthrough into premium duty free locations. The company also has distributors in the UK, South Africa, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
NV Perricone Cosmeceuticals are blends of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (regulated by the FDA as cosmetics) and based on anti-inflammatory theory, the basis for controlling ageing and sagging skin according to the company. For example, one of the most important ingredients is DMAE, a natural anti-inflammatory compund found in cold water fish.
The collection includes Alpha Lipolic Acid treatments: cleansers, facial toners, body toning lotion, a moisturiser with DMAE and some with a combination of retinol and SPF protection. Other specialised treatments combine Alpha Lipolic Acid with the antioxidant power of Tocotrienols to minimise the appearance of spider veins. Vitamin C Ester Treatments include a foaming facial wash, face lift complex and restorative cream for the face. Other Phosphatidyl-E Treatments are derived from natural soy products to provide lipid replenishment (hydration) for the face, hands and body.
Pictured: Alpha Lipoic Acid Face Firming Activator with DMAE
Products are packaged in a black leather “doctor’s bag” and are priced typically from US$35 to US$80 with a top price of US$120.
Speaking on the sidelines of the recent ASUTIL conference Ari Lustbader commented: “The idea of the company is to use people’s vanity to get them healthier. We are very excited about the travel retail opportunity.”
Travel retail enquiries to Ari Lustbader at email: ari@perriconemd-la.com
See also www.perriconemd-la.com and www.nvperriconemd.com
