News Briefs

Coffee Mate, for the first time in its 50-year history, is debuting plant-based milk creamers.

The brand’s new almond and oat milk creamers, which come in French vanilla and caramel options, combine the brand’s signature flavors with the smooth and blended base of oat and almond milk, the company said.

“As creamer fans continue to seek variety, both in flavor and ingredients, it was only natural for Coffee Mate to step into the plant space,” said Leonardo Aizpuru, Nestlé senior director of brand marketing and leader of the creamer business unit. “Now everyone can have the best of both worlds — the delicious taste of Coffee Mate, featuring plant-based ingredients.”

Coffee Mate’s Plant-Based Almond and Oat Milk French Vanilla Flavored Creamer are non-dairy, lactose and cholesterol free, and contain notes of classic French vanilla.

The brand’s Plant-Based Almond and Oat Milk Caramel Flavored Creamer feature a buttery caramel flavor with notes of almond and oat milk mixed in.

Both of Coffee Mate’s new almond and oat milk-based creamers are available in a 28-oz. size.

Re+Play, the performance-based wellness and recovery line of Harrington Wellness, has formed a multi-year partnership with The National Basketball Players Association, or NBPA, and will sell its recovery-promoting products at Amazon and Walmart.

The multi-year product development plan brings products to the masses, including topicals, kinesiology tape and massage guns, among other naturally infused pain products.

“Re+Play’s partnership with the NBPA will provide consumers with a wealth of trusted, technology-driven products to help them recover like a pro,” said Al Harrington, CEO of Harrington Wellness and former NBPA member.

“As we move into the next phase of the Re+Play brand with our strategic partners at Amazon, the NBPA and Walmart, we are excited to once again reimagine how we help athletes of all levels recover from pain with CBD and other innovative technology,” he said.

The first product release from this new union is a line of recovery creams developed in partnership with Avicanna, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of plant-derived, cannabinoid-based products.

“It was important that we developed a product that was clearly evidence-based and targeted at improving muscle recovery,” said Sanford Kunkel, chief medical officer at Harrington Wellness and Re+Play. “Through our partnership with Avicanna, we were able to develop our line at its R&D headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center, JLABS, giving us a significant competitive product advantage.’’

This new Re+Play product can be purchased at replayrecovery.com and will soon be available through the Replay Recovery Store on Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

BioFilm , the makers of Astroglide personal lubricants, is introducing its newest wellness brand, BioShell.

The brand’s debut product, BioShell Germ Defense for Your Mouth, is being touted as a simple, revolutionary, pocket-sized oral antiseptic. The company said that the product guards against infection by coating the throat and mouth with a thin, invisible antibacterial film that traps most germs before they have a chance to make you sick.

“The take-anywhere bottle is the perfect companion for travel, days in the office, large gatherings or events, and more. To use, simply spray BioShell Germ Defense in your mouth one to three times before entering crowded situations like planes, trains, concerts and meetings. It can be used up to three times a day for up to seven days,” BioFilm said. 

“Today’s consumers are looking for uncomplicated ways to be and stay healthy,” said Lisa O’Carroll, BioFilm CEO. “So we took our 30-plus years of experience making quality wellness products and dedicated ourselves to introducing easy-to-use, powerfully effective illness prevention products that are designed with modern lifestyles in mind, making wellness simple for consumers every single day.” 

BioShell Germ Defense for Your Mouth is suitable for ages 12 years old and older. It is available for purchase on Amazon and will be in the cough-cold and flu section of local drug stores and pharmacies later this year, the company said.

Michele Belcher, president of the National Community Pharmacists Association and owner of Grants Pass Pharmacy in Grants Pass, Ore., recently joined Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure at River Road Health Mart Pharmacy in Eugene.

Also present was Brian Marr, owner of River Road Health Mart Pharmacy; Roberto Linares, part-time pharmacist from Rice’s Pharmacy in Corvallis and full-time instructor at the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University; and John and Ann Murray, owners of Murray Drug, which has locations in Heppner, Condon and Boardman.

The group discussed efforts to combat high prescription drug prices, protecting small business independent pharmacies and preserving access for the patients they serve.

[Read more: NCPA, 207 stakeholders support bipartisan Senate bill empowering FTC action against PBMs]

Belcher said that NCPA is grateful to policymakers for advancing policies to end retroactive clawbacks. On behalf of the organization, she thanked Wyden for his efforts to have the Federal Trade Commission conduct a study of pharmacy benefit managers.

Belcher expressed concern that PBMs will continue to ratchet down pharmacy reimbursement and urged Wyden to support the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act (S. 4293), which would give the FTC greater authority to hold PBMs accountable for unfair and deceptive practices that drive up the costs of drugs at the expense of consumers. She also recommended that Brooks-LaSure and the Biden administration extend the various flexibilities (diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, etc.) afforded to pharmacists by the COVID-19 public health emergency after it ends.

“Local pharmacies like mine and others represented at this discussion are an important part of the national healthcare infrastructure; we are a safety net to many patients,” Belcher said.

[Read more: NCPA survey: Three-quarters of community pharmacies report staff shortages]

“At the urging of NCPA and so many others, policymakers are taking steps toward fixing the broken prescription drug payment model, but there’s more to be done to foster successful pharmacies and healthier, happier patients,” she said. “We appreciate working with Sen. Wyden and administrator Brooks-LaSure on accomplishing these goals and supporting the pharmacist-provided services that have proven so essential to the health of our country.”

Luster Products has expanded its Luster's Pink product range with the launch of a Comfort Oil scalp serum.

A manufacturer of premium personal care products, Luster Products also unveiled an updated look for its classic Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion and Glosser.

The Luster’s Pink Comfort Oil scalp serum is formulated with a combination of natural oils and botanical extracts that soothes and calms dry, itchy scalps with a comforting tingle. It also delivers shine to dry, dull hair, the company said.

[Read more: Luster’s Pink replenishes moisture to tresses between washes]

“With the introduction of our Comfort Oil, we wanted to address common concerns we hear from consumers about the various scalp conditions they experience while wearing different looks; especially, protective styles such as braids, wigs or sew-in weaves, which can put extra tension on the scalp and increase the chance for build-up, dryness and irritation,” said Resa Luster-Mac, senior brand manager and third generation Luster executive at Luster Products. “Our new Comfort Oil scalp serum will help to relieve and alleviate some of these scalp challenges from the very first use.”

The Comfort Oil joins Luster’s Pink Natural Oil Blends collection, which also includes its Lush Growth Oil and Trueshine Oil Mist.

Luster’s Pink Comfort Oil is a soothing scalp serum that provides a comforting tingling sensation that calms scalp irritation and itchiness, relieves tension and lubricates dry scalp and helps to prevent flaking. It can be used daily for all hair types and styles and is safe for color-treated hair, the company noted.

[Read more: REX Awards 2022: Beauty]

The Comfort Oil is formulated with peppermint oil, lavender oil, camphor, aloe vera, clary sage oil, rosemary oil and more.

“Our Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion, affectionately called ‘Pink Lotion’ for short by our most supportive fans, and our Glosser have served multiple generations of consumers for more than 50 years,” Luster-Mac said. “This packaging update maintains classic characteristics of the original product, including their iconic formulas, while also adding subtle design elements that we hope will delight both existing and new consumers earning us a permanent spot in their beauty stash.”

Luster’s Pink Original Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion moisturizes extra dry hair and scalp. Fortified with vitamin E and provitamin B5, it nourishes, softens, smooths, boosts shine and improves the appearance of damaged hair. It eases combing, helping to minimize breakage and retain length.

[Read more: Beauty’s changing needs: Hair care brands step up to address aging hair and scalp concerns]

Luster's Pink Glosser is a frizz-fighting finishing mist that delivers pure shine and smoothness to any style. It contains a blend of natural emollients, botanical extracts and vitamin E that revitalizes dull hair, leaving it silky with no buildup. The Glosser is formulated with aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil and Vitamin E.

Luster's Pink Comfort Oil is currently available exclusively on LusterProducts.com.

Luster's Pink Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion and Glosser are available on LusterProducts.com and at Walmart, Family Dollar, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Sally Beauty and beauty supply stores nationwide.

LifeStyles Healthcare's Skyn brand is launching nine new personal massagers: Caress, Dual Ring, Tune, Arch, Bow, Wave, Rouse, Tremble and Charm.

"At Skyn, we believe that the journey to pleasure is endless and ever-evolving. We also believe that intimate experience is about more than just feeling good. It's about choice," said M'lou Walker, CEO of LifeStyles Healthcare. "We aim to offer our consumers as much choice as possible along their sexual journey. We see substantial opportunity to do this within the personal massage category, and we're excited to say that these nine new additions to the Skyn lineup are just the start of the expansion for us."

The lineup of new massagers includes:

• Caress: Ultra-soft tulip-shaped tip mimics the feeling of oral stimulation, enhanced by a velvety soft silicone finish. This device's 10 audibly discreet vibrating modes are designed for all sensitivities. It is made to fit in the palm of the hand with an illuminated panel for use in the dark. It's hypoallergenic, USB rechargeable and water resistant;
• Dual Ring: Ideal for an enhanced experience with a partner, this device marries a finger vibrator and stimulating ring with an ultra-soft silicone finish for heightened sensation. Featuring three vibrating modes, it is compact yet powerful, and has an illuminated control panel. It is hypoallergenic, USB rechargeable and water resistant;
• Tune: Miniature vibrating wand with a flexible head that concentrates powerful vibrations exactly where they're needed. Easy to clean with mild soap and water, this device is water resistant, and features 10 vibration patterns for maximum pleasure. Vibrations last up to 60 minutes on full charge;
• Arch: A uniquely shaped G-spot vibrator with a curved, flexible head that provides endless opportunities for sensual satisfaction. Perfect for on-the-go usage, this device slips easily in a purse or pocket for discretion. Ultra-soft silicone finish is water resistant and easy to clean;
• Bow: A curved vibrating massager featuring contoured textures. It is water resistant, with an easy-open, twist-off design for quick battery insertion. This device offers seven different vibration modes, lasting up to 50 minutes on full charge;
• Wave: Suitable for solo or partner play, this tongue-shaped flickering clitoral stimulator that fits in the palm of the hand gives intense waves of vibration. It features 10 different vibration patterns and an illuminated on/off switch for use in the dark. It is hypoallergenic, USB rechargeable and water resistant;
• Rouse: Remote-controlled with 10 different vibration modes, this massager operates as a Kegel trainer. It features an ultra-soft silicone finish, is USB rechargeable and water resistant;
• Tremble: A pocket-sized and portable massager that fits in the palm of the hand. It includes a remote control, perfect for partner play as well as 10 different vibrating modes. It is USB rechargeable and water resistant; and
• Charm: A discreet, yet powerful finger massager featuring a ribbed texture for intense stimulation. Battery-powered, vibrations last up to 50 minutes with a full battery.