Sustainable and natural are two popular buzzwords thrown around by brands who want to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. But oftentimes buzzwords are just that—words, buzzy catchphrases with zero commitment.
Greek company Sarantis aims to live up to the tag it puts on its skincare brand Bioten (bee-yo-ten) by using mostly natural ingredients, doing away with some oft-used chemical compounds, and using recyclable and partly recycled packaging.
“We constantly search for what nature has to offer, combining ingredients that are effective in our products,” Kelly Erripi, head of skincare category of Sarantis Group, said during the virtual launch of the brand in the Philippines.
Erripi said—and as indicated in the packaging—more than 80 percent of the products were made of natural origins, intensified by prebiotics, the food of probiotics, dubbed as the “good bacteria,” which help retain a healthy balance of the skin’s microbiome.
Explaining how bacteria help in maintaining good skin health, Erripi furthered, “Our skin is covered with bacteria; it’s not bad, it’s called microbiome. A healthy skin has a very good balance of good and bad bacteria.”
“When your skin is not healthy, this means the bad bacteria is rising in terms of population. Prebiotics create a balance.”
According to international markets development director Petrou Takis, Bioten is currently the top selling brand of the group, which exports in 40 countries around the world.
Cosmetics importer iFace Inc. brings to the country two ranges from the brand.
The Skin Moisture Normal /Combination Skin or the “Green line” is made with quince extract, a Mediterranean fruit that looks like a hybrid between lemon and pear, which according to Erripi contains a high percentage of polysaccharides which are good film formers and therefore excellent moisturizers.
She added quince also helps regulate sebum secretion, ideal for those with oily skin.
The Skin Moisture Dry/Sensitive Skin range or the “Pink line,” meanwhile, boasts an ingredient list that includes the highly prized spice, saffron. Saffron extract is ideal for dry and sensitive skin, according to Erripi.
“Saffron has high concentration of vitamins and minerals, and rich in antioxidants needed by dry and sensitive skin to cope with internal and external aggressors,” shared Erripi.
Products from both lines have prebiotics. They are suitable for ages 20 to 35.
The Green line consists of face cream, cleansing gel, and micellar water. The Pink line is composed of face cream, cleansing milk, and micellar water.
Aside from its commitment to sustainability, iFace general manager Angelina Goyena said Bioten’s accessible price points make the brand appealing.
“They are very suitable for the Filipino market. We felt it’s our responsibility to make this available for the Philippine market.”
Bioten Skin Moisture is available at Watsons, The SM Store, and online on Amorfia and Lazada.
