Women are literally up to their necks in skincare and anti-ageing creams but male grooming products are far and few between - which is why a Wolverhampton entrepreneur decided to fill a gap in the market.

Rachel Westwood has set up Skin Scientists to launch one of the UK's first range of male cosmeceuticals - skin care products that bridge the gap between plastic surgery and cosmetics in a market work an estimated £1bn.

The former WGS student aged 27years-old is the brain behind the Manceuticals brand and her first product in the range is the Manceuticals wrinkle relaxant gel, which is an alternative to botox injections in the form of a gel.

Rachel, from Wightwick, says the brand aims to address the growing demand for male cosmeceuticals.

She says the gel has an active ingredient which is able to reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 27 per cent within 30 days.

Based at Wolverhampton Science Park, Rachel received support from several Advantage West Midlands-funded schemes - including Innovation Networks and Mustard - to bring the product to market.

It's already on sale in Harley Street and in outlets across the world - and closer to home, it's available at Elysium health club and spa in Albrighton.

Rachel said: "I had been working for a skin care company in Australia about two years ago when I realised there was a gap in the market.

"As far as we know we are one of the first businesses in the world to develop this kind of product," she said.  "The market for male skin protection creams is narrow but growing and it has been a lot of hard work to get to the stage where Manceuticals is on sale at outlets around the world."

Rachel is shortlisted for the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award at the Lord Stafford Awards at the NEC on 15th November.  Awards are aimed to showcase the best in West Midlands Innovation and collaboration between business and universities.

Courtesy of Express & Star