Brian Oh - CEO + Co-Founder
We have a lot to thank the Korean beauty industry for. With its ground-breaking innovation, vision, research and technology, K-Beauty has completely disrupted Western beauty routines. Because of the presence of K-Beauty, we now expect more from our products, particularly skincare. We want science-backed formulas, luxurious textures, clean ingredients, and of course, real, visible results. But, if I can continue to speak for us all, we don’t want it in 12-steps. Right? The famously long and layered Korean skincare routines just don’t fit into our busy modern lives. So, when The NATIVES Co introduced me to a skincare brand that used game-changing Korean skin science with a streamlined approach (think multiple skincare steps in one product) my ears pricked up immediately.
Meet, Venn; the pioneering beauty brand rooted in Korean science, powered by nature and tailored to modern lifestyles. Based on over 20 years of research, Venn brings simple solutions to people who want amazing skin without the unnecessary fuss and steps. The brand was founded by Brian Oh, a New York and Silicon Valley-based attorney who was overwhelmed by the length of his skincare routine. Partnering up with Kevin Mun, a nuclear engineer turned chemist, the pair sought to make a change.
Venn is everything I want in a skincare brand. It’s simple, honest, well-researched, harnesses natural and safe-for-skin ingredients and most importantly, it works. Here are some of the products I love, and hand-on-heart recommend from the brand.
The formula feels like a milk-gel hybrid, meaning it’s soft and gentle like a cream cleanser, but lovely and lightweight if you battle with oiliness. It uses gentle humectants (skin nourishing ingredients) rather than harsh surfactants to cleanse the skin, easily shifting makeup and daily grime. The formula includes small amounts of PHAs (mild exfoliants) to lightly buff and brighten the skin as it cleans. I love that it leaves my face feeling fresh and clear but never stripped or tight.
Moisture Balance All-In-One Face Cleanser
This punchy little serum is an anti-ageing powerhouse. Its hero ingredient is Ginsenoside Compound K, a potent antioxidant (more powerful and less irritating than Vitamin C) proven to help promote collagen and fight signs of ageing such as dryness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and loss of firmness.
Until now, this ingredient has been ineffective in skincare because of its low solubility in water, meaning the skin just won’t absorb it well enough. Harnessing the genius of Korean tech, Venn created and patented a water-soluble form of Ginsenoside Compound K and distilled it into this powerful anti-ageing serum which my skin slurps up. With the addition of plumping hyaluronic acid, peptides and correcting B vitamins. I like to think of it as skincare’s answer to the fountain of youth.
Age-response Compound K Hyaluronic Booster
An anti-aging and brightening serum that features VENN’s patented technology to water-solubilize Compound K in high concentrations and effectively deliver for brighter, firmer, and more even-looking skin.
Best For: first signs of aging and skin needing a boost of hydration.
Volume: 30ml
My favourite in the Venn range, this multi-functional cream works to perfect skin by reducing redness, brightening and evening out tone, minimising the appearance of pores and fighting free radical damage. Oh, and it hydrates skin too!
This one product replaces the need for layering an antioxidant serum and moisturiser because the two functions are neatly combined in one effective step. I apply it both morning and night. Because of its supercharged Vitamin B-rich blend, even just a pea-size amount is enough to moisturise dry skin. As a bonus, it wears beautifully under makeup, it doesn’t peel or ball up while blending and it doesn’t leave a greasy residue either.
Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate
I call this mask an overnight facial. When applied as the last step in your evening routine, the deliciously rich formula locks in your prior skincare steps. Then as you sleep, a blend of eight antioxidants and seven high-performance peptides including the brand’s Compound K, work to lift, firm, hydrate and boost radiance. You’ll wake up with luminous, fresh-from-a-facial skin. On days when my complexion looks dull and tired or is a little more dry than usual, I’ll apply a small amount of the mask as a moisturiser under my makeup. It plumps and perks my skin right up.
Concentrated Revitalizing Lifting Mask
A decadent leave-on cream mask supercharged with a concentrated series of efficacy-driven bio-actives. Formulated to visibly lift, hydrate and boost radiance in an instant, revealing a perfectly revitalized, re-contoured complexion.
Best For: Overnight mask for first signs of aging, mature skin and skin showing signs of environmental damage and stressors.
Volume: 50ml
Curious to know more about this unique brand? I caught up with Venn CEO and co-founder Brian Oh over Zoom for our Meet The Maker series, in the video below. We discuss breaking with Korean skincare tradition, how Venn products are different to others on the market and all the wonderful skin science and innovation the brand is creating. Enjoy!
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