HYDRON TECHNOLOGIES' BEST DEFENSE BY HYDRON SKIN CARE LINE
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
HYDRON TECHNOLOGIES' BEST DEFENSE BY HYDRON SKIN CARE LINE is slated to appear on QVC in early 1994 under an definitive agreement with the QVC Network that was announced Dec. 9. Under the agreement, the television shopping channel may sell any or all of Hydron's personal care products on the QVC network and through other forms of electronic retailing such as infomercials or in stores through a joint venture with Natick, Mass.-based Direct to Retail, a distributor of electronically marketed products. QVC will begin selling Best Defense day and night facial moisturizers in January, and the full line is expected to appear on the network in February, Hydron said. In addition to the hand and body, day and night moisturizers, the collection includes an SPF 30 sunscreen, sunless tanning lotion in two formulas, facial cleanser, facial scrub, toning gel and eye moisturizer. During 1994, Hydron plans to add "at least" five Best Defense products -- an SPF 15 sunscreen, an alpha hydroxy acid facial product with a triple fruit acid complex, a clay cleansing mask, a concentrated moisturizing serum for mature skin and a lip balm. A baby lotion and a tinted facial moisturizer are scheduled to debut in either 1994 or 1995. In addition to skin care, Hydron has developed a plaque- inhibiting mouthwash, a denture freshening spray, a denture adhesive, an "environmentally friendly" insect repellent and an antiperspirant. These products are not currently sold. Under the agreement with QVC, the TV retailer has the right of first refusal for marketing all Hydron personal care products in North, Central and South America. Hydron also markets professional dental and medical products. These products are not affected by the agreement with QVC. All of Hydron's products are based on a Hydron emulsification process. Hydron, a polymer used in soft contact lenses for the past 30 years, has hydrophilic properties. Hydron and QVC's initial agreement is slated to span two years with automatic annual renewal if QVC meets certain minimum purchase requirements. In addition, the agreement gives QVC the option to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Hydron Technologies common stock at $ 2.50 per share if minimum purchase requirements are met.