Spanish skincare expert Natura Bisse is set to make its mark in Bangkok with the brand's reintroduction of highly exclusive products.

Natura Bisse has been enjoying constant although rather limited success among members of the Thai elite and local entertainers since its launch in 1997.

Hataitep Theerathada, Thailand's sole distributor for Natura Bisse, says she believes that the brand's reputation and quality are what make it so enduring in such a competitive cosmetics market.

"People were really sceptical when I first brought the brand here. They were not familiar with the idea of a skincare brand that's not from the usual areas of Europe or America or Japan. Even in the US, where I first tried and got really hooked on the product, Natura Bisse is known and sold at a limited number of exclusive department stores only. But I was so certain of the effectiveness, and even though the prices are quite high, I somehow never doubted in it," she says.

Ricardo Fisas Verges, director of the brand's international division and son of the brand's founder, says Natura Bisse's success is based on its dedication to advanced research and development of the highest concentration of ingredients, as well as the products' ability to penetrate deeply into the skin.

"There's almost no difference now with the ingredients that cosmetic brands put into their products. The secret that keeps us one step ahead of our competitors is the way we make them really work for the skin. Our skincare products are so concentrated that they're almost pharmaceutical.

"For example, we are the only brand that adds up to 50 per cent of glycolic acid [AHA] into our product. And yet it is perfectly safe for the skin. The DNA technology that's popular right now was started by us six years ago with our famous Diamond Cream. And with that alone, we almost don't need to advertise. People will often know us just by word of mouth."

The brand's star products that have a following with ladies of Hollywood such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Molly Sims are their Anti-ageing Diamond Cream, the Inhibit-Dermafil complex - which is said to be the equivalent of a Botox injection - and Glycoline which is their best AHA-based exfoliating product line.

Verges and Theerathada urge anyone interested in the products to visit a Natura Bisse counter and experience the products firsthand.

"Come in and get some samples. Try them out. We believe that's the best way for anyone to judge whether our claims are for real," adds Verges.

Natura Bisse is available at Central Chidlom, Central Lat Phrao and the Emporium.

Rangsita Sirivanich

The Nation