Merries Skin Protection, the First Diaper with Natural Tea Extract to Protect Baby's Skin Stay Hygienic

Jakarta, October 12^th 2021 - Today Kao Indonesia officially launched Merries Skin Protection, the newest diaper line from Merries and the first in Indonesia with natural tea extract which is known as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory proven to give extra hygienic protection for baby's skin. The presence of Merries Skin Protection is expected to be an innovative solution and answer the needs of parents in Indonesia for a diaper with high absorbency, gentle, comfortable, and also hygienic so that the baby's skin remains healthy. In this virtual launch event today will be attended by Susilowati as a Vice President of Marketing for Kao Indonesia, Irish Bella as Merries Brand Ambassador and mother of Air Rumi Akbar 1453, and also dr. Andreas, Sp.A, a pediatrician.

Having a baby is the most exciting moment but also thrilling for every parent. The presence of the baby is certainly provide big changes and challenges for parents' lives, especially when the baby is born during this COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia is within the country with the highest number of births for 9 months since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, which was 4 million births.^*1 In addition, according to the BKKBN, the birth rate in Indonesia increased by 10 percent due to the discontinuation of contraceptive use. Many people are reluctant and afraid to go to health facilities to install contraceptives during the pandemic.^*2 Based on research, the reallocation of spending for hygiene & personal care needs is the second priority after food and daily necessities due to this pandemic. However the positive sides of the pandemic according to the survey results is the increasing health awareness.^*3 Based on market data 2020, the consumption of baby products increased during the pandemic, especially baby diaper products, which increased by 8% from 2019.^*4

Susilowati, Vice President Marketing of Kao Indonesia stated that "Merries realizes that there are more challenges faced by parents who have just had a baby during the pandemic, and we want to be here to continue to bring smiles to parents and babies. Merries, through the Merries Smile Lab and the Kao Japan research team, brings technology and innovation to Indonesian consumers. On this occasion Merries Skin Protection was created which understands baby's skin to stay hygienic during the pandemic and becomes the first baby diaper with an antibacterial layer containing natural tea leaf extract for healthy baby skin, without ignoring the main function of diapers, which must have high absorption."

dr. Andreas, Sp.A, Pediatrician stated that "Lately, many new parents came to the clinic worrying more about their baby's health than usual. Hygiene factor is one of their concerns, due to the increasing of health and hygiene understanding during the pandemic. Skin is the largest organ that protects the body, therefore skin health needs to be maintained, especially on baby's skin which is more sensitive and not in their optimal period yet.

The selection of diapers starting from the material, size, and function that is suitable for babies play an important role for the comfort of movement and the baby's skin health.
It is highly recommended to use diapers which is made of high quality materials, through a trusted and dermatologically tested production process, have high absorbency and are capable of maintaining the baby's skin health. Having hygienic materials is a plus."

Merries Skin Protection with a natural tea extract and antibacterial sheet is an advantage. Seeing the potential of green tea in antibacterial therapy and infection prevention, Merries took advantage of this potential and applied it to the latest innovation. Antibacterial in tea extract is known to inhibit the growth of bacteria so that it can keep baby's skin protected from irritation.

"Speaking of tea extract, it is clinically proven to reduce irritation or infection. The natural content of tea leaves has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and of course anti-microbial that have health benefits for the body and skin including preventing irritation, inflammation, and also rashes." dr. Andreas added.

The role of parents, especially those who have just had a baby during a pandemic, is very challenging. Kao Indonesia understands this, and also understands how parents want to give everything the best for their children, including how to keep their baby's skin healthy and clean.

"Merries Skin Protection launching is proof that Kao Indonesia always strives to understand the needs of Indonesian families, especially paying more attention to hygiene and health factors on objects that attached directly to baby's skin, every day. Therefore, we are happy to present Merries Skin Protection, the first baby diaper in Indonesia which is produced with Japan Technology and contains an antibacterial coating that provides more hygienic protection and has been dermatologically tested by PERDOSKI. We hope that through this latest innovation from Kao Indonesia, it can bring peace to parents in raising children during the pandemic," said Susilowati.

Irish Bella, a Merries Brand Ambassador, has been using Merries products on her child, Air Rumi Akbar 1453, who is currently 1 year old. Irish realizes that during the pandemic there are more challenges that she experiences as a parent and choosing the right diaper is one of solution in answering Air's skin health concerns. "Having children is one of the most beautiful things I have experienced in my life. But as new parents, my husband and I also feel there is a challenge because Air's growth and development is now our priority. We want the best for Air, the best nutrition, the best environment, the best care and of course the best diapers. Diapers that are not suitable, will directly make Air fussy and we become stressed. Merries Skin Protection has become the main choice because since using it, Air has not experienced irritation, rash and itching. Moreover, with the hygienic advantages of natural tea extract, I am even more sure to use Merries until Air no need to wear diapers later," Irish Bella said.

Merries Skin Protection is available on e-commerce and other nearby modern markets. Consumers can get more complete information about Merries Skin Protection at https://merries.co.id/ or the Meries Instagram account @merriessmile.