Tuesday, September 8, 2009

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Timing is everything for skin care line

Burke Campbell,  Financial Post

Handout photo

Derma Wise Skin Care

(therawise.com)

Founder: Warren Brander

Location: Vancouver

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While growing up in Vancouver, Warren Brander loved to swim, surf, and play
soccer, and planned to have a career in sports medicine.

Along the way, he developed an interest in the use of herbs to treat common
ailments while studying acupuncture at the local International College of
Traditional Chinese Medicine. After more studies in Japan, he returned to
Vancouver Island and opened a clinic, offering skin treatments made from plant
extracts.

"In recent years, we've learned a great deal about how human skin metabolizes
ointments. While pharmaceutical companies offer similar ingredients in their
popular brands, I felt there should be more natural solutions," Mr. Brander
said.

In 2003, he launched Derma Wise Skin Care, which manufactures and markets
Thera Wise, a line of personal care products that include a decongestant rub,
and ointments for skin irritation and inflammation, acne, and hemorrhoids.

The timing was fortunate. In 2004, Health Canada introduced stringent
guidelines for manufacturing natural health products, including vitamins and
minerals, herbal remedies, and homeopathic medicines.

The regulations bolstered public confidence in the purity of such compounds.
Furthermore, toxins in food, cosmetics, and packaging were headlining health
news, resulting in increased scrutiny of the ingredients used in consumer
products.

Thera Wise offered an alternative. Its ointments are now carried at Shoppers
Drug Mart, Loblaws and WalMart.

"We expect to expand our range of personal care products, distributing in the
U.S. market, and even China, where Canadian goods are prized, because of their
perceived quality and safety," Mr. Brander said.

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