Bath sets

	Model 41 from Dishi of Taiwan contains shampoo, cream rinse, body scrub, oil, shower gel and soap infused with Hinoki cypress extract.

The latest releases contain sponges derived from fibrous plants. Some have soap bars with lavender and rose extracts.

Riding the “green” trend, suppliers of bath sets in mainland China and Taiwan are increasing output of nature-based designs.

Many of the latest releases incorporate plant derivatives. Sponges, for instance, are produced from fibrous agave leaves, ramie stems and dishcloth gourd.

Additionally, wood and bamboo are employed in making bath- and hairbrushes, and handheld massagers.

Foot scrubbers, which come in the same materials, are fitted with a pumice stone.

Other skin care products in the set likewise contain natural elements. Typical ingredients featured in bar soap, shower gel and lotion are aromatic essences of lavender, rose and chamomile. Some suppliers also employ aloe vera, peppermint, and palm, olive and castor oil as conditioners.

Several products are infused with phytoncide, a substance that is obtained from Hinoki cypress trees and known for its skin-soothing and antioxidizing properties.

Going a step further, most companies are employing environment-friendly packaging. Many models, in fact, are offered in wooden buckets or trays. Others come in baskets made of seagrass.

	Mainland China’s Cixi City Shencheng offers this bath set, which includes a loofah, ramie sponge and wooden massager.

Among mainland suppliers interviewed for this report, Cixi City Shencheng Bath Articles Co. Ltd offers designs with at least five components.

The company’s WB-4 model, for instance, has a loofah, ramie sponge, bath brush with a pumice stone, hairbrush and massager. These are held in a matching wooden bucket, which can be customized on request.

A specialist in the line, Cixi City Shencheng has been manufacturing bath products since 1990. Wal-Mart, Kmart, Tesco and Carrefour are among its major clients.

Yiwu Shenwei Daily Necessities Co. Ltd supplies similar designs. Its B3B-0019 model contains a bear-shaped scrubber, hairbrush, mirror, pumice stone and handheld massager. All five components are placed in a basket.

Established in 2001, the company focuses on bath products. Its entire output is exported under OEM and ODM.

At Nanchang Xiangrong Bath Products Ltd, set components average five pieces. Basic inclusions are slippers, wooden massagers and various kinds of sponges.

Pumice stone in duck, bear, elephant, fish and other animal shapes can be added for increased appeal. A basket or a bucket is used as packaging.

ISO 9001:2000-certified Nanchang Xiangrong has an average monthly output of 50,000 sets. Half of these are exported, mainly to North America and Asia.

Models from Guangzhou Kanglicai Cosmetics Co. Ltd contain facial cleanser, shower gel and shampoo. These are infused with herb essences such as aloe vera.

The ISO-compliant company exports primarily to OEM clients in North America and Asia. With more than a decade of experience in the line, it can develop up to 10 packaging designs each month.

In Taiwan, shower gel and bar soap are the basic components.

Other than these, products from Dishi International Ltd Co. contain hand cream, body lotion and face towels. Many of the company’s releases feature Hinoki extract. Versions with gold flakes, said to delay skin aging, are also available.

Aside from shower gel, Anlac Biotechnology Co. Ltd’s bath sets include body lotion. Models can come with basil, lavender, bergamot and rose essences.

Versions from Glamorous Creation Co. Ltd are composed of oil beads, bath fizzes and confetti soap. Primarily a handbag manufacturer, the company suppliersoutsources the majority of its skin care line.

Dishi and Anlac, meanwhile, perform most of bath set production in-house. When developing soap formulation, the latter collaborates with local cosmetic institutes. The former, on the other hand, has a team in charge of this procedure.

Companies only use materials that are lead-, mercury-, and azo-free. Products are also tested for pH levels.

Like in the mainland, the environment-friendly concept is evident in Taiwan’s packaging trend.

Dishi placesbath sets featuring Hinoki essence in gift boxes made of the same wood.

Glamorous utilizes paperboard, while Anlac employs recyclable PET bags.