Wouldn’t it be great if our skin could be moisturised whilst we sleep? Well, that could be a reality, as London-based Matrix APA celebrates a breakthrough year for its moisturising sleepwear, which uses patented microencapsulation technology.

The Hydra Active uses the technology to infuse its pyjamas and fabric travel accessories with Aloe Vera, which lightly moisturises the skin during sleep.

The product debuted this year at the airline show World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), and Harry Zalk at the company explains this proved to be a big success and lead to further opportunities in the future.

“WTCE is renowned globally for the seniority and buying power of its visitors so we knew it would be a good place to unveil our products and create some real interest in them – and we’re delighted with the response,” he says.

“As a result, we have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline plus many more enquiries and are returning to the exhibition in 2016 to (hopefully) repeat this success.”

So why target airlines?

The decision to initially target the airline industry with a moisturising product may not seem logical to some, but with the growing Travel Retail market, and by spotting a particular niche, Zalk believes it made good sense.

“It’s a well-known fact that humidity drops from 80% to 10-20% during air travel yet until recently, there were relatively few products that could claim to counter this problem,” he continues.

“Realising there was a gap in the market for clothing and accessories that could deliver hydration to the skin and body, we developed the Hydra Active range.”

Personal care opportunity?

In turn, the organisers of the WTCE event say that based on this same demand and the success that companies such as Matrix APA have had in this space, it is also looking to attract more businesses from the personal care sector.

“Passenger comfort has always been a number one priority for airline and rail operators but this is now broadening out to include health and wellbeing,” says WTCE Marketing Manager Danielle Wolstencroft.

“At the 2015 show, we noticed that there was a real interest in companies, like Matrix APA’s Hydra Active, that can deliver tangible benefits to travellers in terms of the overall experience, so we are encouraging organisations in the wellbeing sector to consider the event as a serious means of developing their business.”

Cosmetics Design, (03/12/2015)