Press Release

Source: Mannatech, Incorporated

Mannatech Introduces Revolutionary, Preservative-Free Skin Care Products Incorporating a Proprietary Water Technology
Wednesday March 21, 4:50 pm ET

COPPELL, Texas, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global wellness provider Mannatech, Incorporated (Nasdaq: MTEX - News), has overcome one of skin care's time-tested obstacles with a line of water-based skin care products that is completely free of preservatives.

In addition to having been allergy- and ophthalmologist-tested, the preservative-free Optimal Skin Care System also contains no fragrances or colorants. Already sold in Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, the Optimal system will go on sale in the United States and Canada during the second quarter of 2007.

At the heart of the Optimal system is a proprietary technology that runs water through a unique enhancement media that filters, ionizes and enhances the water. In addition to supporting a preservative-free environment, this enhanced water also has been shown to hydrate skin cells more efficiently than filtered-only water.

"Mannatech has accomplished a seemingly impossible feat with the Optimal Skin Care System," said Sam Caster, the company's founder, CEO and chairman of the board. "Research indicates that many preservatives, such as parabens, can prematurely age skin, which defeats the purpose of skin care. Products such as the Optimal line that offer improved hydration help nourish and protect the skin."

Before the Optimal system debuted last May in Japan, the world's largest skin care market, a clinical study showed Mannatech's new line of seven skin care products produced dramatic improvements in its participants' skin hydration, moisture, smoothness and radiance. The system is comprised of a makeup remover, a cleansing silk, a hydrating balancer, a restoring serum, a moisturizing cream, an enriching eye cream and a soothing lotion.

After just one use of each of the products, participants' skin hydration improved 80 percent. After eight weeks of using the products, skin moisture improved 100 percent, skin roughness declined by 96 percent and skin radiance improved by nearly 75 percent.

The hydration technology upon which the Optimal system is based had its origins on the other side of the world.

Intrigued by the idea that water could significantly impact health and performance, former world champion swimmer Haru Naito discovered that certain indigenous peoples in remote corners of the world seemed to enjoy better health and longevity. The Japanese native roamed the world to determine why.

At the behest of his spiritual adviser, Naito visited the Hunza region of northern Pakistan -- one of the five places worldwide where inhabitants routinely live beyond 100. Upon analyzing limestone-washed Hunza water, Naito discovered it hydrated and detoxified the body faster. It also contained high concentrations of negative ions (which act as a natural antioxidant) and elevated levels of a soluble minerals.

Seven years later Naito developed an enhancement process that conferred upon water many of the qualities found in the Hunza region. For more than 15 years, he has provided enhanced water technologies for industries as diverse as health care and agriculture. In 2005, he developed a new enhancement process designed specifically for skin care products.

Research shows that Naito's water technology hydrates skin cells more adequately than other filtered waters, providing a conduit for nourishment to the skin. This enhanced water technology also provides its own protective environment, making it the ideal base for a preservative-free skin care system.

Founded in 1993, Mannatech is a leading wellness company and a pioneer in the field of proprietary glyconutritional supplements and wellness products. In 1996, the company announced a ground-breaking formulation of a nutritional supplement comprised of a unique blend of plant-based saccharides, which are also known as glyconutrients ('glyco' is the Greek word for 'sweet').

Medical research acknowledges that certain sugars are needed at the cellular level for optimum cellular function.* Considering that most of these sugars are often lacking in modern diets, Mannatech sought new and better sources of the nutrients. The effort culminated in 1996 with the Ambrotose complex.

More than 10 years of research, including in vitro studies, animal studies, human case reports and human clinical studies, suggest that Ambrotose complex may provide a wide range of support for immune system functions.* Mannatech now holds more than 40 patents worldwide -- including three from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office -- for technology related to the Ambrotose complex formulation.

Today Mannatech has more than two dozen glyconutritional products for adults and children that address health and nutrition, sports performance, weight management and skin care.