XENIA WONG
Founder of Sigi Skin
While most clean beauty brands pride themselves on using non-toxic ingredients, Sigi Skin goes one step further—it considers the way it sources these ingredients just as important. For founder Xenia Wong, “clean beauty means ensuring that our products are safe for both the people and the planet. We also gather our ingredients in a sustainable manner and ensure that they do not cause environmental harm”. And when one makes the switch to clean beauty, “it holds brands to a higher standard when it comes to their formulation and practices in creating products that meet this new baseline in the industry”.
It all started when Wong attended a make-up course at the renowned Jung Saem Mool Art and Academy helmed by the eponymous make-up artist, one of the most sought-after in Korea. The very first lesson on how to use skincare correctly resonated with the young beauty entrepreneur, for it allowed the use of less make-up. “It spurred me to create formulas that are straightforward and easy to use,” says Wong, who started her own skincare line three years ago.
Take, for example, the brand’s first product, Morning Glow, a sunscreen which took over two years to formulate so it’s lightweight and non-greasy, without leaving a white cast on the face. Furthermore, as of 2021, Sigi Skin no longer uses any animal or animalderived ingredients in its products. The decision to go 100 per cent vegan was made with skin health and the environment in mind. Made in Korea, its range of eight products comprises a cleanser, day and night moisturisers, a hydrating mist, a sunscreen, an exfoliator, a clay mask, and even sheet masks.
Wong discusses how the beauty brand uses only quality ingredients to ensure the maximum efficacy of its products.
FORTIFY SKIN
“Skincare should work to build your skin’s health and skin barrier. Most of our skin problems stem from a damaged skin barrier, so we formulate products that help to restore and repair this. We use superfood extracts and clinically-proven actives to bring maximum efficacy. Superfoods have amazing antioxidant and skin calming properties to build and restore the skin barrier without triggering any sensitivities.”
SUPERFOOD CENTRAL
“Our bestselling Dream Capsule, an overnight sleeping mask which helps boost collagen production, fade pigmentation and hydrate skin, contains bakuchiol, a superfood that is a plant-based alternative to retinol. We also use purslane, usually found in luxury premium brands, which helps boost collagen production and plump up skin.
One of our latest launches, Garden Party, a deep cleansing clay mask which instantly firms and minimises the appearance of pores, is formulated with superfoods such as camu camu and grapeseed extracts to brighten and hydrate skin. Unlike the usual clay mask which dries your skin out, Garden Party helps to deeply cleanse and leave your skin soft and supple.”
FOCUS ON FORMULATION
“We take pride in our product formulation and will only launch a product once we think it is perfect. Each formation takes about two years, sometimes longer, which is why we currently have eight products. Take, for example, our day-time moisturiser Idyllic Fields: it’s waterless and contains colloidal oats and polyglutamic acid. We had to ensure that the texture is not too thick for a day-time moisturiser and yet still packs a punch in terms of hydration. Polyglumatic acid can hold 10 times more moisture than hyaluronic acid.”
SKINCARE ROUTINE
“Start the day with a refreshing cleanse with our multi award-winning Kaleanser, a gentle jelly gel cleanser. After drying your face, use Dew Potion, a waterless essence to prep your skin for better absorption of skincare products and deeply soothe irritated skin. Follow up with Idyllic Fields, a waterless moisturiser to calm, hydrate and repair your skin barrier. Finish off with Morning Glow, a sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
During the night, you can double cleanse with Kaleanser to get rid of make-up, even waterproof mascara. Twice a week, exfoliate with Bright Skies, a gentle peeling gel exfoliator to remove dead skin cells instantly and unclog pores. Follow up with Garden Party, a deep cleansing clay mask that helps to absorb the remaining impurities in skin and firms it up. Whenever you exfoliate, use Tea-tox, a probiotics sheet mask which introduces good skin bacteria to prevent blemishes. Seal up all the goodness with Dream Capsule, an overnight sleeping mask, and wake up to brighter and plumper skin the next day.”
FOCUS ON THE CONSUMER
“We are mainly a direct to consumer [e-commerce business] as we believe that this is the best way to communicate with and build a community. If we launch the brand through a well-known retailer, we wouldn’t know who is purchasing our products and would lose the human connection that comes with it. That said, we do understand that beauty products have an important tactile aspect, so we do host potential clients in our office to introduce our products to those who want to try and feel them.”
“Superfoods have amazing antioxidant and skin calming properties to build and restore the skin barrier”