Brian Oh - Founder & CEO
We were, and still are honoured to be the first official Australian stockist of VENN skincare. 18 months on and VENN has a grown a very loyal following and is continuing to develop new breakthrough technologies to expand their modern skincare range.
We caught up with Brian Oh, the Founder and CEO this cult clean beauty brand to talk about how VENN is redefining modern clean beauty.
Vanessa: Brian, we were drawn to VENN before we became a stockist for so many reasons. VENN has incredible standards, and a committed nature meets science approach. Can you please tell us more about these standards that are the VENN ethos?
Brian: VENN is focused on creating powerful “engines” for skincare formulations that help effectively process natural actives and deliver them to the skin for visible, clinically proven results.
There are natural actives that studies have shown are great for skin, but are very difficult to use in potent concentrations in skincare formulations due to their low solubility and permeability. Ginsenoside Compound K and Mastic Gum, our two hero ingredients, are great examples. So, one of our “engines” is our Solubilization Technology, which allows us to effectively solubilize or dissolve in water potent concentrations of natural actives that otherwise have extremely low water solubility. It also allows us to improve the permeability of such natural actives to penetrate through the skin layers.
Another key engine is our Multi-Layer Vehicle Delivery Technology, which allows us to use multiple actives within a formulation in supercharged concentrations, while ensuring that the actives do not compromise each other and deliver their respective benefits to the skin. Basically, it allows us to build formulation particles with multiple shells of alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic actives that mimic our skin’s structure, which also has multiple alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers.
Anyone can add multiple actives in a formulation, but ensuring that each of those actives effectively delivers its’ benefits requires a sophisticated delivery mechanism.
So, hopefully, this explanation on how VENN combines nature with science makes sense—including what role our science plays in seeking to optimize and maximize the benefits from the natural ingredients and actives we use.
Vanessa: We have a had a great response to the newest product, VENN Probiotics Cica Complex Biome Booster. The results we are seeing are exceptional – Leesa had very sensitive, and breakout prone skin and her skin has never looked better since using this. I’m seeing a big reduction in hormonal breakouts and I’m less red. And, it’s Microbiome Friendly certified. What drove you to develop this product?
Brian: We created this product for two main reasons. First, we now have many med-spas across the globe that are using our products to provide facials, and we noticed there weren’t many products that focused on post-procedure treatment. So, we asked our partners, including plastic surgeons in Korea who use our products, what specific benefits their clients look for (and they recommend) post-procedure. The two key benefits required where soothing and lifting. So, our goal was to create a very powerful formulation that would visibly soothe skin after physical, chemical and UV-induced irritations, and at the same time also visibly lift the skin for more contoured complexion. Our Probiotics Cica Complex Biome Booster is clinically proven to visibly deliver these benefits.
The second reason is our research on the skin microbiome. There are many studies that show a strong correlation between microbiome profile and skin age, with a well-balanced skin microbiome potentially leading to healthier and younger-looking skin. Consistently, our skin microbiome is now considered our skin’s first line of defence. So, we wanted to introduce our research in this area through the Booster that can be easily added to any skincare routine to help restore the skin microbiome balance by nourishing the skin with probiotics and prebiotics.
Probiotics Cica Complex Biome Booster
VENN’s microbiome balance system™ in a supercharged serum that soothes, strengthens and renews the skin barrier. Lifts the skin for a perfectly revitalized and balanced complexion.
Best for: All skin types, including for post-treatment, reactive and sensitive skin.
Volume: 30ml
Vanessa: The biggest question we are asked is the difference between the Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate and the Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate. Can you give us some guidance on what should be considering when having to make the pick between the two?
Brian: Well, you can always use both – one in the morning, and the other in the evening. They are both our hero products and also scientifically most advanced formulations, using three of our patented technologies or “engines” – Solubilization Technology, Multi-Layer Vehicle Delivery Technology and Hydration Technology.
The difference between the two are the key ingredients that are used, and the consequent difference in their texture. Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate uses Ginsenoside Compound K, peptides and various antioxidant-rich plant extracts as key ingredients. Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate uses Mastic Gum, B vitamins and amino acids as key ingredients. We basically combined key ingredients that would work in synergy, resulting in two separate formulations.
As a result, Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate has a lighter-weight cream texture, while Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate has a relatively richer texture. So, I’d recommend choosing between the two based on either your texture preference or ingredient preference. Age-Reversing All-In-One Concentrate is microbiome-friendly certified by MyMicrobiome AG in Germany, and Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate is currently undergoing the testing and certification process.
Age-Reversing All-in-One Concentrate
Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate
Vanessa: Brian, Aussie’s are typically cautious about getting into a Face Oil. If you are trying a face oil for the first time, I recommend the VENN Red Face Oil. What are your tips for using this product?
Brian: Even if you don’t typically use a face oil, I’d recommend you try our Red Oil Serum. It’s a very unique and innovative oil formulation that uses an oil fermentation technology to allow the oil actives to absorb quickly into the skin. Specifically, the base oil extracts—Gromwell and Korean Angelica Root Extracts (where the red colour comes from)—are fermented 150 hours at low temperature. This fermentation process not only breaks down their particle sizes, but also causes them to inherit hydrophilic characteristics and thereby pull other oil actives through skin’s hydrophilic layers.
In drier or colder weather, add 2-3 drops of the Red Oil Serum after applying our All-In-One Concentrate or your moisturizer. You can also use the Red Oil Serum on your lips. The formulation is very rich with phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, so it’s really a great formulation to nourish your skin barrier as well.
Advanced Multi-Perfecting Red Oil Serum
Vanessa: Once you use the Synbiotic Polyamine Shampoo, you can’t be without this shampoo. Brian, we are always asked for a conditioner. I have personally found I don’t need a conditioner after using it… I add a little hair oil to my wet hair pre- dry. But let’s answer the questions Brian… why no conditioner? and is there one coming? 😊
Brian: Yes, we do have a conditioner coming. We are hoping to introduce our conditioner Q3 next year.
Many conditioners in the market may be great for hair, but not so much for the scalp. As a skincare company, we wanted to prioritize the scalp, which is an extension of your facial skin. So, naturally, as we expanded our cleanser line beyond facial cleanser, we decided to create a shampoo that uses our microbiome research to nourish and improve the scalp.
Our shampoo is hydrating compared to many traditional shampoo formulations thanks to Levan, which is the prebiotics that we use, as well as our NSG TechnologyTM that acts as the formulation’s engine to create tight micro-bubbles that very gently cleanse the scalp and hair. You’d notice that our Synbiotic Polyamine Body Wash is also very hydrating on the skin for the same reasons.
Synbiotic Polyamine Shampoo
Vanessa: What product launches can we expect to see in 2022 from VENN?
Brian: We are introducing a larger size 100ml of our Synbiotic Defense Mist, and our Probiotic-Tensive Hydro Firming Body Cream in Q2 next year. In Q3 next year, our plan is to introduce a hair conditioner and an eye cream.
Vanessa: Brian, thank you so much. We love VENN and are excited to continue to support and nurture our VENN Loyalists here in Australia. It was wonderful talking with you. Let’s please do this again in the new year.
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