INTERVIEW 17
TP: Is cosmetics becoming more and more like dermatology? SL: While many seek to align cosmetics with dermatology, I believe we must be careful. Cosmetics and medicine have fundamentally different destinations. While there is a clear
line between cosmetics and dermatological products, between cosmetics and drugs, I have a cautionary view. A conservative view. Dermatology aims to ‘cure’
patients with skin issues, whereas cosmetics exist to ‘enhance’ the beauty of healthy individuals. We must communicate this distinction clearly to consumers. I embrace the Latin medical
oath: primum non nocere. First, do no harm. Cosmetics should not try to
become drugs. Because cosmetics are used on healthy skin, our commitment to safety must be absolute. We aim to be the ultimate
companion in maintaining healthy beauty, not a medical treatment.
TP: Do you see the rise of aesthetic procedures like Botox that are increasingly affordable and accessible as a threat to makers of cosmetic products? SL: It could be a threat but the big picture is people tend to live longer and become richer on average. People want to be healthier,
and look more beautiful and younger. So, I’m sure that will mean people will spend more money on personal care.
TP: What do you see as the personal care and beauty industry’s strengths and weaknesses? What does the industry do well and not so well? SL: The good things are the industry’s agility and its ability to respond to consumer needs with diverse formulations that are world class.
The not-so-good things?
Well, there is still a tendency for marketing narratives to outpace scientific reality. I believe the industry should
return to the spirit of primum non nocere. We need responsible
innovation where we obsess over the long-term impact on the skin barrier, rather than just chasing the latest trendy ingredient.
www.personalcaremagazine.com February 2026 PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE
TP: What is your advice for the next generation of cosmetic chemists and beauty entrepreneurs? SL: My advice is simple: give luck enough time to find you. Success requires talent, but it also requires a moment of luck. Luck doesn’t visit everyone. It
only finds those who stay in the game long enough to be discovered. I am here today not because I
was the most brilliant, but because I remained in the beauty industry long enough for luck to knock on my door. The beauty industry requires
patience. Instead of chasing quick wins, stay consistent and build your technical assets. If you remain dedicated and
persistent, luck will eventually find you, just as it found me.
PCM My advice is simple: give luck
enough time to find you Sungho Lee, President and CEO, Sunjin Beauty Science
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