An Annapolis skin care company is a competitor in the QVC Sprouts contest, which gives the winner an opportunity to feature products on the shopping network's website.
Eco-Armour, located at 1009 Bay Ridge Road, is one of five businesses participating in the contest. Owner Robert Benzinger, an Annapolis resident, said QVC reached out to him after testing out Eco-Armour's shaving foam.
"For this contest, QVC is looking to discover new companies with new products," said Benzinger, who opened his shop in 2011. "They loved our shaving foam."
Benzinger invented Eco-Armour's shaving foam several years ago at his home. He was tired of the ingrown hairs and razor burn caused by traditional shaving products, and decided to create his own blend. Using organic botanical ingredients such as witch hazel was also a priority for the long-time environmentalist.
"It's basically the perfect shave," Benzinger said. "I created this product because ingrown hairs, other shaving issues — I was having these problems too."
Pleased with his creation, he decided to mass market it with the assistance of his wife Zoe Benzinger, a licensed skin care specialist.
"We really built up the business through a grassroots effort," he said. "We sold the products to family members, at local markets."
But Benzinger said winning the QVC Sprouts contest, which could also land Eco-Armour a television spot, would be a big break for the company.
"I'm hugely excited." he said. "This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to the company."
For Eco-Armour to win the contest, the business most receive the most votes for its product on QVC's website. Voting ends Friday at noon.
