Safety is paramount. You must confirm that the necessary steps are taken to ensure that the manufacturing process of the products includes safe and sustainable ingredients. When I partner with a laboratory, I do my research to verify that the company is adhering to safety standards and ethical sourcing and is regulated by the appropriate government agencies.
The clean beauty movement is transforming the beauty industry by emphasizing the importance of safe, non-toxic ingredients. Consumers are increasingly concerned about what they put on their skin, leading to a demand for transparency and high standards in beauty products. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Korin Korman.
Korin Korman is the owner, founder, and CEO of Body+Beauty Lab. Korin attended The Wharton School’s entrepreneur program where she received her MBA and proposed the development of a spa chain and product line created with 100% pure, active botanical products. This idea became a reality when, with Wharton’s and the Trustees at the University of Pennsylvania’s financial support, she established what is now known 32 years later as Body+Beauty Lab. This chain of elite medical spas would go on to win numerous regional awards and accumulate an incredible amount of success due to the hard work of Korin and her superb team of medical professionals. To this day, Korin and her team continue to deliver the highest quality products, care, and treatments to the countless women and men, young and mature, who visit their clinics in Pennsylvania and South Florida.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
Mystory was launched over 32 years when I introduced a botanical product line and holistic wellness spa after unsuccessfully treating my young adult acne with traditional methods, such as oral and topical antibiotics. I was introduced to the world of aromatherapy in 1989 and this started a life-long journey into the world of active herbal-based ingredients, aromatherapeutic products, and clinical-grade skincare. After meeting world leaders in essential oil-based products from England and France, I developed in 1993, with a certified botanical lab in the United States, a comprehensive collection of natural, therapeutic, botanical formulations, and personal care products that contain effective medical-grade ingredients. I developed over 75 organic, botanically based, and aromatherapeutic skin and body products and imported more than 100 essential oils from around the world. Over the past three decades, we have harmoniously integrated holistic and contemporary science, technologically advanced treatments, and botanical and FDA-regulated clean skincare products. The goal of Body+Beauty Lab is to provide natural, reliable, and innovative solutions for anti-aging and overall rejuvenation.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
As I continued to perfect the botanical products and spa operations, I realized that my demographics were aging. Women not only wished for the pure spa quality product experience, but also desired more aggressive and clinical-based skincare treatments.
In 2008, I collaborated with a medical director, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and enhanced the spa service and product offerings to include age-defying, scientific formulations for the advancement of healthy and beautiful skin. This exclusive, unique and revolutionary product line evolved into the only collection of products that feature eastern and western philosophies: 1) Pure and organic spa-quality botanicals that contain antioxidants, proteins, vitamins, nourishing emollients, and organic essential oils, and 2) The latest in emerging technologies and clinically proven skincare, with pharmaceutical grade solutions including retinol, glycolic and salicylic acids, powerful and stable delivery of Vitamin C, exosomes, peptides and tretinoin to name just a few. These products will cleanse, heal and rejuvenate skin tissue, stimulate the renewal of skin cells and prevent and soothe irritations. The products have been tested in 100,000’s of treatments in my facilities and were preferred over leading national brands. Based on this remarkable and powerful combination of pure botanicals and state-of-the-art research and scientific formulations, my company has become synonymous with exceptional, high-quality products and innovative solutions.
Then in 2017, I had a life-changing realization that I could do more within my field and evolve the mission. I decided to take the lessons that I earned over the years and develop a new brand concept, resulting in a change to the corporate name and vision which will embrace and build upon these more advanced treatments and products, in a safe and effective manner. With the new brand, formerly named 3000BC and now called Body+Beauty Lab, my dreams are even bigger! My mission is to empower women and men to lead a beautiful life. What do I mean by this? A beautiful, healthy appearance; a confident, positive outlook; creativity and passion; and a life in balance. We now include Integrative Health and Hair Restoration to our repertoire of products and treatments. Women and men deserve quality skincare, healthy lifestyle, empowerment, and pampering as exceptional as they are. At Body+Beauty Lab we sell confidence, health, wellness, and of course beauty.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Tenacity is a virtue.
“Never Giving Up” was the theme of my June 2018 Commencement address to the second graduating class from the School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University — the first school of entrepreneurship nationwide that is independent of a business school to offer entrepreneurship degrees. Though difficult, challenging, and emotional roller coaster moments, we also embraced the fabulous, fun, and inspirational times. I have always stayed true to my mission and that is what I hopefully conveyed to the graduation class of 2018. These graduates were part of an extraordinary moment in Drexel’s history as the pioneers of an innovative program and curriculum for dreaming, creating and launching new, experimental and perhaps ingenious ideas. It was a very special and memorable moment for me.
2. Communication Builds Great Teams
I am a huge believer that to empower your team, you must be clear, concise and demonstrative. An example is the tremendous details I have placed on product development, regimens, and remedy products in the Body+Beauty Lab line of skin and body care. Explaining the goals, developing a very detailed product manual and supporting vendor training are the pillars to a successful product line and a happy team.
3. Listening to Your Clients and Customizing their Treatment Plans
It has always been my top priority to listen to the needs and requests of my clients, otherwise, what’s the point of all the hard work? To personalize the experience for the client, I searched years ago for a way to evaluate and create protocols for all individuals who frequent the brand. I found the solution with the Visia device which is an exciting and unique feature of Body+Beauty Lab. This skin scanning technology is available to all our clients. This dramatic diagnostic tool accurately reveals skin imperfections on and beneath the surface of the skin and eliminates all subjectivity so there is no more guesswork or confusion in the process of skincare recommendation. We analyze and monitor the client’s unique skin health by tracking progress, setting personalized goals, providing an extraordinary optimal treatment plan tailored to the skin’s specific needs The results: An accurately and objectively customized and distinctive skin care product regimen with recommendations and solutions.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
Yes! We’re always working towards improving and strengthening the brand. Within the realm of skincare, I am revisiting and resurrecting some of my original and fabulous botanically/aromatherapy-based body and bath products: Body Lotions, Body Oils, Bath Salts, Body Wash, Hand and Nail Care, and perhaps the Baby Care Line which was the first aromatherapy baby line in the USA. Although the awareness towards clean and botanically based facial skincare is trending, I find very little options for body and bath products. I think my clients will be thrilled to have the opportunity to utilize my incredible products throughout their entire personal care regimen.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What inspired your brand to focus on clean beauty, and how do you define ‘clean’ in the context of your products?
The evolution of my brand is unique in that my concept intersects two worlds. I have always adhered to the incredible effects (physical properties, emotional benefits) of pure essential oils and revitalizing botanicals; however, I also believe there is a world where we can embrace “clean” clinical/medical grade products that have evolved in the marketplace.
My fascination with the powers of botanical and organic compounds for beautifying, cleansing, healing and revitalizing the people in their care emanated from my determination to provide the finest anti-aging and holistic skincare brand, showcasing products based on 100% pure active botanical ingredients. These essential oil-based products — extracted from flowers, leaves, seeds, herbs, woods, roots and resins of aromatic plants — were shown to work in harmony with the human body in providing a physical and psychological benefit to the user. As the brand matured, we combined the mystique and wisdom of the ancient world with contemporary medical science and modern treatments. I take pride in offering natural body products of unparalleled quality; products that are characterized by their use of essential oils and proven to promote health and natural beauty from within, containing pure and exotic botanical oils, the finest organic herbs, rare plant extracts, and natural vitamins and minerals. Yet, to meet the needs of the aging demographic, I feel it’s necessary to embrace the advanced clinical skincare products that offer a more immediate solution. These two worlds combined provide a strong and effective solution for all skin care needs.
How do you ensure the ingredients in your products meet clean beauty standards, and what criteria do you use to select them?
We have compiled “The Dirty Never List” which is a list of 27 ingredients that will never be included in any of our skin care private label products.
What steps do you take to educate consumers about the importance of clean ingredients and how they can make informed choices when purchasing beauty products?
We have developed a comprehensive Body+Beauty Lab Product Manual that thoroughly lists all the skin care products in the Body+Beauty Lab line. Each product listing includes product highlights and benefits, directions, and ingredients. Our team of Providers and Beauty Coaches are thoroughly trained by the manufacturers on the skin care products so that they may properly explain the usage and effects of our product line.
What innovative or unconventional ingredients are you most excited about in the clean beauty space, and why?
A few ingredients that come to mind:
1) Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract
• Rich in flavonoids and saponins
• Improves the elasticity and firmness of the skin
• Antioxidant, it protects the skin from external
aggressions
• Repairing, it regenerates the moisture barrier of
the skin
2) Acmella Oleracea Extract
• Rich “Botox-like” assets, it is soothing and provides
antioxidant properties
• Helps smooth wrinkles and fine lines, in particular
expression wrinkles
• Protects the skin from external aggressions, helping to
delay the signs of aging
• Prevents damage caused by drying and dehydration
- Gayuba Leaf Extract
• Soothing, helps to relieve redness and sensations of
discomfort
• Rich in phenolic compounds which provide it’s
antioxidant properties to protect the skin from external ⸠
aggressions
• Known as a skin whitening agent, it helps to cover
blemishes and diminish the appearance of
pigmentation and old age spots
Can you share a story where switching to clean beauty ingredients led to a significant and unexpected benefit for your customers?
A very common theme that my team frequently encounters from our clients (and one that resonates personally with me) involves acneic skin conditions. Often these guests come in complaining about the harsh chemicals in the products that contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Switching to products that are gentle and pure, with no chemically formulated fragrances or dyes, have proven to be clinically effective. These botanical and pure products that cleanse, restore vitality, preserve the health and youth of skin, stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells, and prevent and soothe irritations have been paramount in improving the skin health for these acneic patients as well as those with very sensitive skin.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Create a Successful Clean Beauty Brand”?
1. Align your brand with a manufacturer that adheres to purity, with non-toxic ingredients. An example is that our two botanical labs are classified as ECOCERT which is a worldwide certifier of organic farming products and is accredited to certify organic ingredients according to the NOP standards under the USDA. It was the very first certification body to develop standards for “natural and organic cosmetics,” and has become a leader in organic certification standards and currently certifies over 70% of the producers in France. ECOCERT is a non-government agency that has extended beyond agriculture to include other industries. Recognizing the need for standards in the development of natural skincare, ECOCERT defined a requirement level for manufacturers who make products with respect to the natural substances and the environment. ECOCERT currently certifies in over 80 countries providing two certifications: ECOCERT Natural and ECOCERT Natural and Organic.
2. If you lack the budget for Research and Development, then reach out to friends, family and the community to test market the efficacy of your products, the acceptance of your marketing and branding tactics, and overall enjoyment of use. When I first decided to launch my company, which was dedicated to the art and science of pure essential oils, I realized that I had the capabilities to develop my own proprietary and comprehensive botanical-based product line. However, to create the ultimate product collection, I believed that it was also necessary to experiment with the products on my guests. This led to the birth of a day spa chain of elite spas that combined the mystique and wisdom of the ancient world with contemporary medical science and modern treatments. I blended, mixed and poured ingredients in pursuit of a superior product. The line evolved from years of feedback provided by thousands of dedicated clients, and I continued to meticulously work with my laboratories to create the finest products available on the global market. I took pride in offering natural body products of unparalleled quality; products that are characterized by their use of essential oils and proven to promote health and natural beauty from within.
3. A Transparent Brand is crucial. As I mentioned we rely heavily on the Visia Diagnostic Tool which provides a detailed assessment to fully customize a unique skin care regimen that suits your individual needs. Here is the Body+Beauty Lab Manifesto:
“Skin…It’s your body’s framework, comprised of a luminous rainbow of texture, color, brilliance. And it is distinctly yours, no one shares your special design and composition.
At Body+Beauty Lab we give you unprecedented power over your own body to improve your skin through a transparent process that eliminates all subjectivity. Through our meticulously developed SOS scanning technology, we analyze and monitor your unique skin health by tracking your progress, setting your personalized goals, providing an extraordinary optimal service treatment plan tailored to your skin’s specific needs, and accurately and objectively customize your skin care product regimen recommendations and solutions.
We are obsessed with your health and committed to helping YOU Live a Beautiful Life.”
4. Safety is paramount. You must confirm that the necessary steps are taken to ensure that the manufacturing process of the products includes safe and sustainable ingredients. When I partner with a laboratory, I do my research to verify that the company is adhering to safety standards and ethical sourcing and is regulated by the appropriate government agencies.
5. Clean beauty is frequently aligned with a wellness-focused lifestyle. For Body+Beauty Lab our branding includes not only external beauty but also intrinsic health and well-being. It is important to consider that when creating a clean beauty brand, you embody the internal and external benefits of a healthy lifestyle and align the collection of products with your priorities and personal standards. Body+Beauty Lab is in the development of creating an Integrative Health Division that will embrace many components of a healthy and holistic lifestyle.
How do you foresee the clean beauty movement evolving in the next decade, and what role do you see your brand playing in that future?
The clean beauty movement over the past 30 years has experienced peaks and valleys. To predict the future, I think clean, botanical based beauty will stay the course as the consumers are now far more educated on ingredients and have access to many more resources due to the plethora of information shared on the internet. We now have agencies whose primary focus is to dissect the health benefits and dangers of ingredients that are often unregulated.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
Please visit our web store which can be accessed through our main website:
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
