To take care of one’s skin simply by wearing clothes, that’s what Ahrt Cosmetics is proposing, with the aim to make cosmeto-textiles technologies more accessible. Contrarily to the companies that pioneered this segment, such as Skin’Up, Cosmetic Wear, or Lytess, Ahrt does not offer cosmetic clothes, but lotions to apply on one’s own textiles: jeans, tee-shirts, stockings, … By the way, no more concerns regarding the durability of the cosmetic properties given to textiles!

The range of cosmeto-textiles solutions proposed by Ahrt Cosmetics is the result of a common venture between MicroCapsules Technologies (MCT), a specialist of micro-encapsulation, and Nobex, a manufacturer of perfumed slippers.

When Nobex launched its first perfumed slipper in 2003 (the “cavaricci”) Richard Biernack, its manager, decided to invest further in the associated technology, with the conviction it had a huge potential. Micro-encapsulation is a process in which tiny active particles or droplets are surrounded by a coating, in that case a silicone coating, that allow them to spread around when the coating is crushed, during the contact between clothes and the skin, for instance.

That’s only in 2008 that the new generation of cosmeto-texile products is available. Several years of research and development, as well as stringent sensitivity tests have been necessary.

There are three lotions in the range, respectively with slimming, moisturizing and refreshing effects. The lotions are to be used during machine or hand washing, as if they were mere fabric conditioners, linen thus becoming soaked with the microcapsules. The lotions also contain hemp oil, caffeine or menthol in order to leave a pleasant contact sensation and a delicate fragrance on clothes.

The products are available online, through Ahrt’s website (www.ahrt-cosmetics.com). Products will soon be distributed in mass retail and speciality stores in France.