Up from Down Under: Alpha H to Debut in U.S.

Alpha H, the 19-year-old Australian skin care brand,will debut in the U.S. and Japan in 2010.

While the U.S. is only starting to emerge from a recession, Alpha H owners are optimistic about the brand’s chances, noting that website traffic is up.

“We’re already getting 527 visits to our website on average per week from the U.S.,” said Michelle Doherty, who, with her husband, Dean, and their daughters, own and run Alpha H. “We’re also doing a lot of work with hibiscus flowers, which act as a natural skin whitener. I think the Asian market will really like that.”

Alpha Hincludes40 stockkeeping units in its retail lineup. It is sold through 750 spas and salons in Australia, where it’s also retailed via television shopping channels and online. Positioned as an alternative to dermatologist lines, Alpha H puts an emphasis on exfoliation, using glycolic acid, for instance, followed by treatments meant to moisturize and nourish skin. Its best-selling product is Liquid Gold, a skin resurfacing lotion.

The brand’s lineup includes antiaging products, moisturizers, body care items, antiacne treatments and vitamin serums. Prices in the U.K. range from 7 pounds, or $11.17 at current exchange, for a 100-ml. bottle of Harmony Infusion facial spritz, to 60 pounds, or $95.72, for a 25-ml. bottle of Vitamin C serum.