In conversation with VENN founder, Brian Oh

Our mission here at SKINDAYS is simple: to make shopping for skincare uniquely personal and a genuine joy. To do that, we work with the best brands in the industry to offer a curated edit of products that truly work. Whether it’s vegan cleansing balms, science-backed serums or trending tools, we only stock skincare from brands that provide efficacious solutions for your unique skincare journey. But what about the people behind the brands?

Introducing Stripped Back: a new series that aims to share the story behind the brands that you love, and give you the chance to hear directly from the founders themselves. So sit back, relax, and let us introduce you to our brands…

Skindays: You didn’t start out in the skincare field; how did you get your start and what drove you to launch VENN?

Brian Oh: I was a corporate lawyer in NYC and Silicon Valley before starting VENN. I’ve always invested in skincare products with serious science and technology. But the issue for me was that, given my long and hectic working hours, I never actually had the time to use multiple products, let alone even understand each product and figure out which routines and products to apply. Often, even applying 2 or 3 different products was overwhelming, so I’d just end up using a moisturiser.

What I needed was a skincare routine that was not only very effective, but also very simple, convenient and streamlined. I couldn’t find a single brand that focused on doing just that — offering a streamlined skincare solution that didn’t involve compromising on efficacy.

Then I met my co-founder, a nuclear physicist who became a skincare chemist and has been researching and developing skincare ingredients, formulations and technologies for over 25 years. We talked about his research on Compound K and solubilization and delivery technologies.

SD: What does the name stand for?

BO: The brand name, VENN, comes from Venn diagram in geometry — the overlapping concentration of different elements. It reflects the brand’s intersection of science, nature and lifestyle, which are the three key pillars that form the brand’s DNA.

So, consistent with our brand name, the logo for VENN layers the “V” and the “N”, forming a Venn diagram that visually echoes the name and conveys the integrative qualities of the brand.

SD: Most K-Beauty brands advocate for a 10 or even 12-step routine, what inspired you to opt for a streamlined skincare routine and champion the ALL-IN-ONE concept?

BO: Although South Korea is at the forefront of skincare technology and innovation, K-Beauty in western countries has been misunderstood and defined largely by facial sheet masks and fun, trendy products that propelled the global K-Beauty phenomenon.

But just like electronics, cosmetics in Korea have experienced rapid advancements in technology and innovation, with cosmetics now being one of Korea’s key industries alongside electronics, and the market size now the 8th largest in the world. So, I wanted to create a brand that shows the world the ‘other side’ of K-Beauty — the serious skincare technology and innovations in South Korea.

SD: What makes VENN products and formulations so unique?

BO: Our groundbreaking technologies include the exclusive patent of Concentric Technology™, which is comprised of our patented Solubilization Technology™, Delivery Technology™, and Hydration Technology™. These work in synergy to optimise and effectively deliver super-charged key actives to the skin to deeply hydrate and visibly target multiple skin concerns.

For example, our Solubilization Technology™ takes actives with very low water-solubility and permeability — such as Ginsenoside Compound K derived from Panax Ginseng and Mastic Gum — and makes it possible to water-dissolve and use them in powerful concentrations in our formulations, such as our All-In-One Concentrates.

Microbiome Balance System™ is where our latest research is focused, specifically on probiotics and prebiotics that, when topically applied, help balance the skin microbiome for visibly healthier, stronger and more resilient skin. Many of our products have been awarded microbiome-friendly certification by MyMicrobiome AG.

Our formulations are also scientifically validated. We use clean, clinically proven actives in supercharged concentrations, guided by research studies, in-vitro and in-vivo clinical tests, technical data, and our own internal research and analyses. All of our formulations and proprietary ingredients are internally developed at our R&D centre.

SD: Why did you decide to work with chemists in South Korea rather than chemists from New York, the city where you live in?

BO: South Korea is at the forefront of skincare technology and innovation, which has also driven the global K-Beauty phenomenon. So, given my Korean cultural background, if I created a skincare brand, I wanted it to be based on and driven by the skincare technology and innovation from South Korea.

Also, despite the long history of skincare advancements in South Korea, it seemed that outside Korea, and especially in the U.S., people weren’t seeing the full picture. I wanted to introduce the “other side” of K-Beauty by creating a brand backed by science and technology in South Korea that could compete with other global brands in the premium luxury space.

In Silicon Valley, through my work with life science start-ups, I was introduced to my co-founder, who is one of the leading skincare chemists in South Korea and now VENN’s Chief Scientific Officer. He’s been researching and developing skincare technology, ingredients and formulations for over 20 years. He shared the same vision of creating a brand focused on offering non-compromise, streamlined skincare solutions. So, we each left what we were doing and co-founded this brand.

SD: What have you learned about K-Beauty that you didn’t know before?

BO: I think K-Beauty has been largely defined and recognised outside South Korea by facial sheet masks and more affordable, trending products, which actually form only a subset of skincare in South Korea. K-Beauty is also at the forefront of skincare science, innovation and technology, and VENN is a good example of this.

I think one lesson that American beauty brands could take from K-Beauty brands is the constant drive to explore the unknown and sometimes even take risks to introduce something new and never seen in the market. Of course, all of this is backed by, and made possible by, the long history of skincare science and innovation in South Korea.

SD: Can you tell us a bit more about the core ingredients you work with?

BO: Panax Ginseng, used in traditional Eastern medicine for over 2,000 years, is also called “green gold” or “the king of the herbs” because it is only found naturally in a few places in the world, including Korea, and provides very potent restorative and rejuvenating benefits. It also helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, provides energy and endurance, and helps lower stress and boost mental wellbeing. In skincare, this herbal root helps restore the skin’s moisture balance and fight signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation.

VENN takes the use of Panax Ginseng in skincare a significant step further by effectively solubilising and using Compound K, a key anti-ageing bioactive component of Panax Ginseng, found in the formulations of Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate, Compound K Hyaluronic Booster, and Concentrated Revitalizing Lifting Mask.

Gromwell and Korean Angelica Root Extracts are key oil extracts inspired by Jaungo, a 400-year-old prescriptive remedy with strong anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties. They are fermented for 150 hours at a low temperature to create our cult product, Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum. This fermentation process breaks down the particle sizes of these key oil extracts so the formulation can more easily penetrate through the skin layers. It also causes the key oil actives to adopt hydrophilic characteristics so they can pull hydrophobic oil actives through the hydrophilic skin layers.

Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) is a plant resin obtained from mastic trees that only grow on the Greek island of Chios. The resin is very rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, and its skin benefits include fighting the signs of photo-ageing, improving skin clarity and radiance, reducing oil oxidation to restore sebum balance, and refining the appearance of pores.

Composed of high molecular weight organic compounds and with less than 0.01% solubility in water, mastic gum was previously insoluble in water. By applying VENN’s patented Solubilization Technology™, mastic gum is now one of the key active ingredients in VENN’s hero problem-solving product, Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate.

Other super-charged key and signature ingredients in VENN’s range include:

• Probiotics and Prebiotics (Bacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces Ferment and Beta-Glucan) which make up 37.5% of the formulation to balance the skin microbiome
• Six different key actives from Centella Asiatica (Cica) (Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract) to soothe and renew irritated, damaged skin
• Niacinamide for brightening, anti-wrinkle support, pore minimising, strengthening the skin barrier and evening skin tone
• Acmella Oleracea Extract, which features analgesic alkylamides called spilanthol that mimic Botox treatment by relaxing the facial muscles, lessening muscle tension to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Polyamine, a natural compound proven to reduce skin sagging and wrinkles, minimise pores, improve dermal density and elasticity, and promote collagen synthesis and hyaluronic acid production
• Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) to control and restore sebum balance, while offering anti-inflammatory, soothing and brightening benefits

SD: What do you think is the future of skincare?

BO: When looking outside of skincare, most technological innovations and advancements have been focused on making lives more convenient, efficient and simplified. Smartphones and Uber are good examples of this desire for a more convenient and efficient lifestyle. I think skincare is no different, as long as brands are able to offer streamlined and simplified skincare solutions that don’t require compromising on quality and benefits.

I think VENN is leading the future by combining science, technology and natural pure ingredients to create super-charged, molecular-level, efficient and results-driven skincare formulations.

SD: Best skincare advice you have ever received?

BO: I think it’s to make sure that all the good ingredients you apply to your skin will actually be absorbed and deliver benefits. This inspired me to find a way to create a super-charged delivery system and products that penetrate deeply into the layers of the skin.

Also, not to use too many ingredients, as they may increase the risk of different actives clashing with each other, blocking penetration or cancelling out each other’s benefits.

SD: What are you currently working on?

BO: We have a new Body Cream launching in June — Probiotic-Tensive Hydro Firming Body Cream, formulated to hydrate, improve elasticity, firmness and lift, tighten sagging skin, and make it soft and smooth. It uses our Microbiome Balance System™, a proprietary combination of probiotic and prebiotic ingredients in supercharged concentrations that respect and nourish the skin’s natural protective barrier and balance the scalp microbiome.

Following that, we have a collagen exfoliating mask that will be incorporated into our facial protocol. Collagen Intensive Phyto-Retinol Resurfacing Mask enhances skin’s radiance and improves its overall appearance by liberating the surface of dead, dull and damaged cells.

SD: Best kept skincare secret?

BO: I think our Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum. It’s a multi-correctional face oil inspired by Korea’s traditional first-aid herbal ointment, Jaungo — a 400-year-old prescriptive remedy with strong anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties.

The key ingredients are fermented for 150 hours at a low temperature and make up the engine of the Red Oil Serum that drives its clinically proven skin benefits, including dramatically improving skin’s elasticity and firmness and promoting collagen production. It’s not a typical face oil — it suits every skin type, even blemished or oily skin, and our customers rave about the results. They swear by it to keep skin radiant.

Our mission here at SKINDAYS is simple: to make shopping for skincare uniquely personal and a genuine joy. To do that, we work with the best brands in the industry to offer a curated edit of products that truly work. Whether it’s vegan cleansing balms, science-backed serums or trending tools, we only stock skincare from brands that provide efficacious solutions for your unique skincare journey. But what about the people behind the brands?

Introducing Stripped Back: a new series that aims to share the story behind the brands that you love, and give you the chance to hear directly from the founders themselves. So sit back, relax, and let us introduce you to our brands…

Skindays: You didn’t start out in the skincare field; how did you get your start and what drove you to launch VENN?

Brian Oh: I was a corporate lawyer in NYC and Silicon Valley before starting VENN. I’ve always invested in skincare products with serious science and technology. But the issue for me was that, given my long and hectic working hours, I never actually had the time to use multiple products, let alone even understand each product and figure out which routines and products to apply. Often, even applying 2 or 3 different products was overwhelming, so I’d just end up using a moisturiser.

What I needed was a skincare routine that was not only very effective, but also very simple, convenient and streamlined. I couldn’t find a single brand that focused on doing just that — offering a streamlined skincare solution that didn’t involve compromising on efficacy.

Then I met my co-founder, a nuclear physicist who became a skincare chemist and has been researching and developing skincare ingredients, formulations and technologies for over 25 years. We talked about his research on Compound K and solubilization and delivery technologies.

SD: What does the name stand for?

BO: The brand name, VENN, comes from Venn diagram in geometry — the overlapping concentration of different elements. It reflects the brand’s intersection of science, nature and lifestyle, which are the three key pillars that form the brand’s DNA.

So, consistent with our brand name, the logo for VENN layers the “V” and the “N”, forming a Venn diagram that visually echoes the name and conveys the integrative qualities of the brand.

SD: Most K-Beauty brands advocate for a 10 or even 12-step routine, what inspired you to opt for a streamlined skincare routine and champion the ALL-IN-ONE concept?

BO: Although South Korea is at the forefront of skincare technology and innovation, K-Beauty in western countries has been misunderstood and defined largely by facial sheet masks and fun, trendy products that propelled the global K-Beauty phenomenon.

But just like electronics, cosmetics in Korea have experienced rapid advancements in technology and innovation, with cosmetics now being one of Korea’s key industries alongside electronics, and the market size now the 8th largest in the world. So, I wanted to create a brand that shows the world the ‘other side’ of K-Beauty — the serious skincare technology and innovations in South Korea.

SD: What makes VENN products and formulations so unique?

BO: Our groundbreaking technologies include the exclusive patent of Concentric Technology™, which is comprised of our patented Solubilization Technology™, Delivery Technology™, and Hydration Technology™. These work in synergy to optimise and effectively deliver super-charged key actives to the skin to deeply hydrate and visibly target multiple skin concerns.

For example, our Solubilization Technology™ takes actives with very low water-solubility and permeability — such as Ginsenoside Compound K derived from Panax Ginseng and Mastic Gum — and makes it possible to water-dissolve and use them in powerful concentrations in our formulations, such as our All-In-One Concentrates.

Microbiome Balance System™ is where our latest research is focused, specifically on probiotics and prebiotics that, when topically applied, help balance the skin microbiome for visibly healthier, stronger and more resilient skin. Many of our products have been awarded microbiome-friendly certification by MyMicrobiome AG.

Our formulations are also scientifically validated. We use clean, clinically proven actives in supercharged concentrations, guided by research studies, in-vitro and in-vivo clinical tests, technical data, and our own internal research and analyses. All of our formulations and proprietary ingredients are internally developed at our R&D centre.

SD: Why did you decide to work with chemists in South Korea rather than chemists from New York, the city where you live in?

BO: South Korea is at the forefront of skincare technology and innovation, which has also driven the global K-Beauty phenomenon. So, given my Korean cultural background, if I created a skincare brand, I wanted it to be based on and driven by the skincare technology and innovation from South Korea.

Also, despite the long history of skincare advancements in South Korea, it seemed that outside Korea, and especially in the U.S., people weren’t seeing the full picture. I wanted to introduce the “other side” of K-Beauty by creating a brand backed by science and technology in South Korea that could compete with other global brands in the premium luxury space.

In Silicon Valley, through my work with life science start-ups, I was introduced to my co-founder, who is one of the leading skincare chemists in South Korea and now VENN’s Chief Scientific Officer. He’s been researching and developing skincare technology, ingredients and formulations for over 20 years. He shared the same vision of creating a brand focused on offering non-compromise, streamlined skincare solutions. So, we each left what we were doing and co-founded this brand.

SD: What have you learned about K-Beauty that you didn’t know before?

BO: I think K-Beauty has been largely defined and recognised outside South Korea by facial sheet masks and more affordable, trending products, which actually form only a subset of skincare in South Korea. K-Beauty is also at the forefront of skincare science, innovation and technology, and VENN is a good example of this.

I think one lesson that American beauty brands could take from K-Beauty brands is the constant drive to explore the unknown and sometimes even take risks to introduce something new and never seen in the market. Of course, all of this is backed by, and made possible by, the long history of skincare science and innovation in South Korea.

SD: Can you tell us a bit more about the core ingredients you work with?

BO: Panax Ginseng, used in traditional Eastern medicine for over 2,000 years, is also called “green gold” or “the king of the herbs” because it is only found naturally in a few places in the world, including Korea, and provides very potent restorative and rejuvenating benefits. It also helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, provides energy and endurance, and helps lower stress and boost mental wellbeing. In skincare, this herbal root helps restore the skin’s moisture balance and fight signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation.

VENN takes the use of Panax Ginseng in skincare a significant step further by effectively solubilising and using Compound K, a key anti-ageing bioactive component of Panax Ginseng, found in the formulations of Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate, Compound K Hyaluronic Booster, and Concentrated Revitalizing Lifting Mask.