Local manufacturer sets trends in natural cosmetics

Oct. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- In this day and age of going natural, manufacturers look to nature as a thriving source of raw materials for various personal care products.

Nature Wonders Enterprises, a company pioneered by organic advocate Rosalina Tan, saw the immense potential of the local pili tree to produce personal care and beauty products. “It started from a grant we got from the Peace & Equity Foundation, which we commissioned to University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Biotech researcher Dr. Pham Bi Chay on the many benefits of pili oil. I wanted to develop this project for a community in Bicol because I thought it was a shame that this very versatile tree was not being given enough attention,” Tan explains. The eco-entrepreneur adds that she noticed that a lot of beauty products in the market today contain toxic materials which is why she decided to venture into the manufacture of these using natural and local indigenous raw materials.

Potentials of pili
From the nuts to the pulp, to the shell and the bark, the pili tree’s usefulness can be likened to that of the coconut tree. Pili oil contains high levels of oleic acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and vitamin E known for being powerful antioxidants which has renewing and rejuvenating properties for healthy and youthful skin.

“Oils derived from the nut and pulp of pili are comparable in composition to the more expensive avocado and olive oils,” shares Tan.

Beauty from head to toe
After years of testing and experimenting with pili oil, Nature Wonders Enterprises currently carries under “Naturale Wonders” brand, personal care and beauty products from head to toe. From shampoos to facial creams, massage oils to lotions and even lipstick and cheek stains, the powers of pili oil have indeed been harnessed.

When asked how she markets and advertises her products, the owner says that she goes for direct selling. “I want to provide additional income for people. Those who work in the offices can get their supplies from me and sell them to make profit. I also go for word of mouth advertising.”

Tan reveals that in order to ensure the quality of her products, she is in constant consultation with the experts, meaning those from UPLB and the Department of Science and Technology as she also plans to develop other products using this raw material.

Overcoming challenges
Supply of raw materials is one of the challenges Nature Wonders Enterprises face in its line of business; this is why the company also works with the Department of Agriculture and continues to convince governors in the Bicol region— where pili grows in abundance— to plant more trees.

The company also collaborates with other government agencies such as the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the trade promotions agency under the Department of Trade and Industry, to enhance and further promote their product line.

“It was CITEM that actually convinced me to develop our products. The agency also helped with the design of our company logo, product labels, and packaging. We also got to test market our products internationally early this year when we participated in a prestigious beauty fair in Vietnam organized by CITEM,” shares Tan.

This October, Nature Wonders Enterprises will be among the exhibitors of Manila F.A.M.E. International in the show’s Health and Wellness Zone. Manila F.A.M.E. is a CITEM-led bi-annual tradeshow for home and lifestyle products slated to run on October 18-21, 2010 at the World Trade Center and the Philippine Trade Training Center.

For more information, log on to www.manilafame.com.

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The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is an export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.