Dexpanthenol

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. & HIGH POINT, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1999--

Ciba Specialty Chemical's Consumer Care Division today announced that it is now marketing a revolutionary, new skin delivery system, Tinoderm(tm) in North America.

Tinoderm(tm) is an encapsulation mechanism that enables cosmetic nutrients such as vitamin E, Dexpanthenol and amino acids to penetrate deeply into human skin. Ciba will start marketing this product to the personal care industry in May.

Ciba's new product is composed of microscopic topical balls that entrap water-soluble or oil-soluble cosmetic ingredients within a single- or double-layered shell. This unique shell, which can contain any number and combination of moisturizers, vitamins, botanical extracts and antioxidants, is made up of soybean lecithin, water, oil and surfactants.

Ciba has named the microscopic topical balls "nanotopes(tm)", which in Greek means ultra-small particles. "We expect Tinoderm(tm) to have a major impact on the cosmetics industry," says Michael Jacobson, vice president of New Business Development at Ciba Specialty Chemicals Consumer Care Division. "There is no comparable product on the market today, and what we have represents a significant breakthrough."

Ciba's Tinoderm(tm) nanotopes(tm) are much smaller than conventional liposomes - the closest comparable technology commercially available in today's market. The nanotopes(tm) have an average size of <50 nm as compared with 100 to 250 nm from other manufacturers. Their small size allows for greater and more effective penetration in a wide variety of skin-care applications.

Says Jacobson, "The vast majority of topical moisturizers and skin-care products on the market provide only limited benefits because they don't truly penetrate the skin layer. Tinoderm(tm) not only achieves this but can also stabilize ingredients that have been traditionally hard to work with, like vitamins A and E. This will now give cosmetic makers greater flexibility in exploring new formulations."

Current Products: Tinoderm(tm) E

Contains vitamin E, which works as a skin conditioner, antioxidant and emollient. Used in skin care, body, hand and sunscreens. Tinoderm(tm) P

Encapsulated Dexpanthenol, a skin conditioner for hand and body skin-care products, sunscreens, skin fresheners and facial make-up. Tinoderm(tm) NMF

Contains amino acids for general use skin-care products used in conditioning, moisturizing, hydration and regeneration. -more- The Consumer Care division of Ciba Specialty Chemicals North America develops, manufactures and markets products for the global market. Consumer Care's products include personal care products, whiteners, antimicrobials, paper colorants and fabric finishes tailored for producers of consumer goods. The division enhances the performance of products ranging from detergents and cosmetics to paper and textiles. The division, the world's leading producer of whiteners, has U.S.-based manufacturing in McIntosh, ALA.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX:CIBN) is a global leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of innovative materials that provide color, performance and care for plastics, coatings, fibers, fabrics and other products. Ciba Specialty Chemicals North America consists of four divisions -- Additives, Colors, Consumer Care and Performance Polymers - and is based in Tarrytown, New York, with operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is part of the worldwide Ciba Specialty Chemicals group, a company with 1998 sales of $5.8 billion (CHF 8.4 billion), sales in 117 countries and more than 24,000 employees.

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