It is no coincidence that Israel has become the source of beauty and skincare products coveted by women and appreciated by men across the globe. With its warm Mediterranean sun, mineral-rich Dead Sea, abundance of olive trees, aromatic herbs and medicinal plants, Israel is home to the best natural resources for a vital cosmetics and toiletries industry. Coupled with the country's top-tier scientific research, innovative hi-tech and entrepreneurial spirit, the result is clear: an industry world-renowned for the excellence of its products, all valued for their beauty-enhancing, rejuvenating and health promoting qualities.
This year, eight companies chose to take part in the most intoxicatingly-aromatic trade show – InterCHARM 2011 in Moscow, proving that trade shows can be eye-catching, soul-soothing, and at the same time with a business angle that is acute, focused, and calculated to benefit all involved. Heavy industry, computers, electronics – move over and let beauty take center stage this time.
Because beauty is not only skin deep and is not only in the eye of the beholder… Beauty is something we seek in ourselves and in others. Nor is skin care the domain of women alone. The quest for smooth, younger-looking skin has become universal. Unshaven men may look macho and exciting in an advert for jeans, but women prefers a gentler touch. Not to mention that even in the gym there's a limit to how much perspiration we're willing to inhale. In cooler climates, too, the concern over damaging sun radiation is shared by all: the beach is not the only place that produces a tan, as skiers and snow-boarders know well.
Thanks to its wide ethnic variety, Israel has proved to be the perfect scene for developing skin-care products for the entire gamut of skin types. The product catalogues of Israeli skin-care and cosmetic companies offer a dazzling array: purifying mud masks, milk-and-honey lotions, firming face serums and gels, men's spa kits, bath salts with aromatic oils, scented and unscented body scrubs, mineral bath crystals, gentle moist wipes for every need – all these and many more await the visitor to the Israeli booth.
What makes them so special, more attractive to buyers than the run-of-the-mill stuff they are accustomed to? That's easy: Innovation, diversity, quality, accessibility, meeting consumer demand, and competitive pricing.
Exhibitors in this trade show range from large concerns with a market presence in many countries to family-run boutique operations. Modern R&D labs and production facilities are the norm, whether for conventional or natural and organic products. Some products radiate an aura of cutting-edge scientific advances, while others retain the look-and-feel of home-grown, hand-made, mother-to-daughter beauty secrets. The methods applied derive their inspiration from far and wide – Chinese medicine, Indian chakra therapy, and Western know-how. So there is something for every type of customer, products appealing to different buyers' wishes and needs.
Several companies have built brands that are widely recognized and available in big-name chains; and most are experts at private label production as well. All take pride in their careful formulations based on exceptional ingredients, advanced manufacturing methods and sought-after results.
Today's end-client is more discerning, more knowledgeable, more aware. They read labels, expect logos attesting to the eco-friendliness of the product they buy. It is therefore good to know that all Israeli cosmetics and toiletry manufacturers meet Israeli Ministry of Health standards, which closely follow EU and American requirements; many bear ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification, and almost all companies offering organic-natural products comply with Ecocert requirements.
Major chains carrying Israeli brands include Sephora, Target and T.J.Maxx, while multinationals – including Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Wella and CVS – contract manufacture to Israeli private label producers. Israel maintains free trade agreements with many countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico, the European Union, EFTA, Mercosur and others, that grant duty-free entry to Israeli cosmetic and toiletry products. Everyone benefits – from big chains to smaller retailers to happy end-client.
A few words about the participating companies:
Biscol - www.biscol.com
Established in 1938, Biscol Ltd. is a 100% family-owned concern. The cosmetics and toiletries activities are mainly conducted through Biscol Cosmetics Ltd., one of Israel’s leading manufacturers in the field, and/or through Daor Cosmetics Ltd., which servers as the marketing branch for our own Dead Sea based brands. Our cosmetic products may be found in 25 countries.
Chic Cosmetic Industries - www.canaancosmetics.com
Chic Cosmetic Industries Ltd., founded in 1987, develops, manufactures and markets a variety of high-quality of beauty care products (Dead Sea– Canaan skin and body care, SPA, Canaan Organics and Mogador hair care, make-up & nail products). Chic provides private label manufacturing services, including research & development and quality assurance.
CTS Ltd - www.cts.co.il, http://balancechakra.com/, www.femina-intimate.com
CTS is a privately-owned pharmaceutical company operating since 1921. CTS manufactures and markets a broad range of high quality OTC, prescription generic and branded pharmaceuticals, unique life-cycle products, dermo-cosmetic and toiletry lines. CTS enjoys business associations with some of the major world companies, including Astellas, UCB, Nycomed, Sinclair, Sanofi-Aventis, Mitsubishi Pharma, OPI and others.
Ein Gedi Cosmetics Lt. - www.eingedi.net
Exceptionally high quality Ein Gedi Dead Sea cosmetics and spa products incorporate all-natural moisturizing ingredients, antioxidants, vitamins, nature’s finest plant botanicals and the purest essential oils enhanced with Dead Sea minerals. Ein Gedi Cosmetics, established in 1978, provides distributors with private label solutions to fit any need at cost effective pricing.
H.B Health & Beauty Dead Sea Mineral Beauty Products - www.hbdeadsea.com
Health and Beauty has been producing and marketing fine skin-care products since 1990, based on Dead Sea minerals and enriched with vitamins, plant extracts and aromatic oils. All ingredients comply with the CTFA, the CAS No, EC directives on cosmetic products and FDA regulations, and are licensed by Israel's Ministry of Health. The products are exported to 42 countries around the world, including the USA, Europe, Africa, South America and the Far East.
Kamedis - www.kamedis.com
Kamedis, established in 1998 by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners and scientists, combines thousands of years of clinical experience through traditional Chinese medicine with advanced, innovative Western methods of extraction and manufacturing. Blending the best of each discipline, Kamedis has created a unique family of products that effectively treats common skin conditions.
Linero Light Ltd - www.linerolight.co.il
Linero Light’s point of sale displays provide the cosmetic and other industries with flexible turnkey solutions that are fully adaptable to location requirements. Customers include Revlon, ROC, L’Oreal, Careline, Soft Touch, Issy Miyaki, Jean Paul Gaultier, Carita, Elizabeth Arden, Vera Wang and others. We have more the 10,000 dispensers installed in the Magnit chain all over Russia and more than 50,000 units in other locations. Linero Light conforms to CE standards (the European safety and EMC directives).
Odeyah Industries Ltd - www.odeyah.com
Odeyah Industries is a private company, established in Israel in 1992 by the Setton Brothers, who have been working professionally in the field of cosmetics production since 1975. Odeyah’s range include some 80 products for the entire body – face, body, feet, hair and nails – plus anti-ageing, slimming & firming, spa treatments and a men’s line. Odeyah exports to over 18 countries, and holds ISO 9001-2000 and Israeli Ministry of Health GMP certifications.