New products, continued growth in Asia, improved exchange rates and a boost in travel retail business resulted in better- than-anticipated net sales in the quarter ended Sept. 30, the New York-based company said today in a statement. The statement didn't contain specific earnings projections.

The company also said it benefited from lower spending and earlier holiday shipments, which it had originally expected to fall in the second quarter. Estee Lauder said that it will report full earnings Oct. 30 and that it expects to boost its full-year forecast at that time.

The 40-year-old brand is continuing its quest to return to its dermatological roots with its latest offering, Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, due out in late January — and a new merchandising unit, rolling out now, designed to showcase existing products addressing four common skin care conditions.

"This brand was started with a philosophy of addressing dermatologic concerns," said Lynne Greene, global president of Clinique. "We now have four collections for specific skin concerns: redness, acne, uneven skin tone and dullness. The new powder and the new merchandising concept showcase that heritage."

Clinique groups the four collections, dubbed Dermatological Solutions, on a dedicated tower, as well as in regular caseline displays — and has composed grab-and-go kits for retail doors that prefer assisted self-service displays.

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The Redness Solutions line is intended not only to treat reactive redness — which, say, could be caused by a lip wax -- but also rosacea. The new powder is intended to be a marriage of color cosmetics and treatment, said Agnes Landau, senior vice president of global marketing for Clinique. The formula includes caffeine and extracts of magnolia bark, mushroom and grapefruit, said to visibly counteract redness. The mineral blend — which comprises calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium — is intended to absorb excess oil; vitamin E is included for its antioxidant properties.