Christine Esposito, Associate Editor08.15.11
It may be mid-August, but summer is still sizzling in the US. Whether it is pumped up SPF, stubble-free skin or stopping sweat in discrete spots, summer calls for specific and oftentimes fun personal care products. Here’s a look at products and campaigns designed to battle specific issues or take advantage of special events that take center stage this time of year.
Arizona Sunwash Corp. has rolled out Solise, a body wash and hand wash that combines cleansing with long-lasting UVA/UVB SPF15 sunscreen, a unique formula employs natural soy emollients to bind the sunscreen with the body's natural oils.Solise has been awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
MD SolarSciences (MDSS) has created a tinted mineral gel sunscreen that provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Like all MDSS sunscreens, it meets FDA guidelines and European COLIPA standards for UVA protection. It contains no-known allergens, such as oxybenzone or octinoxate, are paraben- and PABA-free and have been included in the Environmental Working Group (EWG) list of top-rated broad spectrum sunscreens.
Also in the sun care space, Suntegrity Skincare has expanded its sun care product line with All Natural Moisturizing Body Protection SPF 30 (MSRP: $24.99) and a daily Sun Defense Dietary Supplement with Vitamin D3 (MSRP: $34.99). The line also features the Suntegrity Sun Set (MSRP: $79.99), which is comprised of all three products.
The Nair brand of depilatories has kicked off its 2011 "Step Out Challenge," which invites women—and, for the first time, men—to "bag the blade" for a week and use Nair.Those who try Nair and share their experiences have the chance to win free prizes from Grooveshark, a music-streaming website as well as an all-expense paid weekend trip for two to a major concert of their choice. The Church & Dwight brand is asking both sexes to try out four products—New Nair Milk & Honey Roll-on Wax; Cool Gel, the first translucent Nair depilatory gel; Silky Sensations Sensitive Formula, a dual moisturizing blend of depilation; and Nair For Men Shower Power, its new in-shower depilatory system . The challenge runs through the end of July 31.
Another Reckitt unit, Clearasil, has embarked on its own summer-long campaign called "Rock Your Skin,” which the brand saysmarks a new approach of targeting young-adult consumer where they live and play via online and integrated experiences and leveraging the "summer break" and "back to school" season as an opening for impactful and exciting consumer communication. "Rock Your Skin" has eponymous Facebook application housed on the Clearasil brand page. The application features a sweepstakes that will send two lucky "fans" of the Clearasil page to an all-expenses paid trip to the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago with free 3-day passes to Lollapalooza Music Festival, Aug. 5-7. The sweepstakes closes up on July 22.
In addition to the online effort, contest winners will be able to join celebrities, music industry VIPs and media at the first-ever Clearasil "Rock Your Skin: Vibe + Revive Lounge", housed within Chicago's Hard Rock Hotel. The Lounge will function as a retreat from the festival grounds where influencers can enjoy Clearasil Rock Your Skin mini facials; receive chair massages, sample Clearasil products from the product wall; and enjoy cold beverage. Artists can also autograph the Clearasil official guitar, which will later be given away via Clearasil's Facebook page. Clearasil will also be on the Lollapalooza festival grounds distributing product samples and coupons to the estimated 32,000 festivalgoers.
And while manicures and pedicures are hot no matter what the season, summertime often calls for brighter, quirky seasonal colors. To make the most of one’s exposed toes, there’s Del Sol, a Sandy, UT-based company that offers color-changing nail lacquers based proprietary technology that was originally developed by NASA. Del Sol’s exclusive Spectrachrome crystals change when exposure to sunlight, revealing hidden colors. Among its newer shades are Chicky (yellow to pink), Spring Fling (green to purple) and Lush Lavender (pink to lavender).
Rising temperatures lead to increased perspiration—and as Phoenix residents can surely attest, there are times when the summer’s heat can lead to sweat in places not so discrete. Top combat this, Las Vegas-based SoFreshSoDry.com offers—brace yourself–Fresh Balls and Fresh Breasts ($14.99), which were created to prevent wetness and chafing in the groin area for men and under breasts or in the cleavage area for women.Both products are aluminum free, paraben free, talc free and contain oatmeal as an anti-irritant and tea tree oil as an anti-bacterial.