SKIN CARE PRODUCTS WIN INERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

When Giac Ghianni's skin care company was invited to participate in an international competition, he was looking forward to feedback on his products.

Then Ghianni Aesthetics Ltd. products won three first place awards.

A daytime skin treatment, a night-time skin treatment and an eye and neck balm were each honored by the International Association of Aesthetics in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ghianni works from Eugene's Salon in Cape Girardeau the third week of every month. The rest of the time he operates salons in St. Louis. Ghianni does facials and teaches makeup application.

The company, Ghianni Aesthetics Ltd., manufactures skin care and cosmetics created by Ghianni's late father, who was a dermatologist.

"The products were created originally for problem skin as an alternative to drugs," Ghianni said. "I've had the company 11 years now."

Ghianni didn't know how his company was selected for the competition. He was notified of their selection in 1992.

"Every two years they (The International Association of Aesthetics) invite 100 companies to submit products. For two years they test the products for purity of ingredients and results of the product," Ghianni explained.

"They give a very detailed report of each product's strong points and weak points," he said.

As a small company, Ghianni said, they don't have a large research budget. "We submitted some new products and were looking forward to the reports."

The prizes were a bonus.

"It's very unusual for a company to come away with three awards," he said.

Because the products were honored, Ghianni Aesthetics Ltd. is allowed to enter more products for the next two year testing cycle.