Skin-Eez is a line of figure-flattering undergarments with micro-capsules built into the fabric that break open to release moisturizers into the skin, according to Michelle Moran, the founder and chief executive of Skin-Eez Skincare in Sudbury.

For more than a century, women have worn girdles, corsets, and recently Spanx underclothes to slim their waists and smooth the contours of their bodies. Now a local entrepreneur is selling a product that infuses moisturizers, and a little bit of science, into modern shapewear.

Skin-Eez shapewear, such as this camisole, is infused with moisturizers that can be reapplied after washings.

Moran recently landed a deal with the retail giant Target, which on Monday plans to launch an initial run of thigh smoothers, capri pants, camisoles, and boyshorts, priced between $24.99 and $29.99, in 50 stores and online, she said.


“It’s fashion compression garments with a time-released cosmetic skin care delivery system,” Moran said. “Your skin will be moisturized and over time it will hydrate, rejuvenate, and reveal more radiant skin, just like skin care.”

The US shapewear market peaked in 2010, with $850 million in sales, and has since declined to $684.9 million, according data from NPD Group, a market research firm in New York.

The industry is facing headwinds from the leggings and yoga-inspired clothing trend, which often eliminates the need for shapewear undergarments, said Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at NPD Group. Cohen also said consumers who wear shapewear aren’t buying more, while others never adopted it because the clothes are often uncomfortable.

Now Skin-Eez and others are trying to infuse a second generation of relatively new and innovative shapewear garments known as “cosmeto-textiles,” cosmetics that can be worn, into the market.

Over the last few years, several other companies have introduced new and sometimes controversial clothing that promises to exude ingredients that reduce cellulite, offer anti-aging properties, mask odors with fragrance, or release sunscreen into the skin.


Last year, the Federal Trade Commission sued two companies, Norm Thompson Outfitters Inc. and Wacoal America Inc., for falsely claiming their caffeine-infused shapewear reduced fat and cellulite.

Skin-Eez Skincare of Sudbury is set to debut its products in Target’s stores on Monday. handout

The agency said the claims were not substantiated by scientific evidence. The companies settled the cases for $1.5 million. The FTC called caffeine-infused shapewear the “latest ‘weight loss’ brew concocted by marketers.”

Cohen said the lawsuits will make it more difficult for Skin-Eez and other brands to catch on with consumers.

“Given the fact that we’ve seen other false starts, the consumer has some doubt,” Cohen said. “But all they need is a few testimonials and good marketing and they’ll have an opportunity to prove their worth.”

Moran said Skin-Eez doesn’t offer any substantial health benefits beyond that of a typical skin-care lotion. She said her clothing, made in a Montreal factory, contains natural cosmetic ingredients such as retinol, red algae extract, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, and rose hip oil. The ingredients must be reapplied to the garment in the form of a Skin-Eez spray after 10 washes, Moran said.

Moran dreamed up the idea after she had surgery and her doctor suggested she wear a popular brand of shapewear during the recovery process. She said the garment tugged at her skin and dried out her stitches. She also said she’s a full-figured woman and traditional shapewear felt uncomfortable on her body.

Moran developed Skin-Eez in 2007 and Macy’s briefly carried the product the next year. Moran said she then paid for clinical trials and other tests to bolster Skin-Eez’s branding as a skin-care system.


“People still don’t know about this technology, which is a good thing,” Moran said. “We want to be a first mover.”

Taryn Luna can be reached at taryn.luna@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @TarynLuna.