The company hopes that campaign and others will help it boost its share of the Bt4-billion skin care market this year, to 26 per cent from 24 per cent last year. Unilever will also try to tout its products as defences ageing and their ability to add fitness and firmness to sagging, weathered skin, said Wannipa Bkakdibutra, the company's vice president for personal care.

Vaseline's had the largest share of the body skin-care market last year, followed by Citra with 24 per cent and Nivea with 19 per cent, according to an AC Nielsen survey.

Whitening body lotion accounts for 53 per cent of Vaseline's sales income, basic care body lotion 39 per cent and advanced products such as fit and firm and age-defence lotions 8 per cent each.

Wannipa said growth in sales of advanced products averages 20 per cent in the Bt350-million a year niche market, Unilever will focus on these products in 2006.

The company expects sales growth of at least 15 per cent for Vaseline products this year, reaching Bt1.04 billion, compared to Bt919 million last year.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation