I’m pleased to introduce my exclusive interview with Coyran Cheung, founder and formulator of OSCO, a natural and organic skincare line focused on pollution defense. Coyran is a registered nurse whose lovely products reflect knowledge from her healthcare training and formal certification in organic formulation. I hope you enjoy our conversation! To find out more about OSCO’s offerings, be sure to check out my review of the line’s first release, Pollution Defense Serum!
Coyran Cheung
What is the story behind how you became a formulator? (Perhaps you can elaborate on what you have already said in your Bio on the OSCO website.)
Coyran Cheung: I started my journey into natural beauty when I was 23. My whole face broke out due to hormonal problems and the use of synthetic skincare products. For years I was depressed with low self-esteem, and I did not want to face anyone. I tried many solutions, but my skin didn’t improve at all until I started to use natural skincare and changed my lifestyle. My skin improved although it did take time. From this time on, I put trust in the power of natural and green beauty. I treasure this great gift from nature so much because it gave me back my life.
I am a registered nurse who worked shifts in the hospital. It is a meaningful job but hard and stressful. I love caring and helping people solve their concerns. However, I found my work-life balance was missing, as I spent most of the time working and working. I didn’t have extra time to do things that I like. I am very passionate about natural and green beauty as well as formulating effective skincare products to help people solve their problems. I then decided to study the International Organic Skincare Entrepreneur Program at Formula Botanica to enhance my formulation knowledge. I graduated from Formula Botanica in 2017 and became a professional organic skincare formulator. Finally, in 2018, I chose to give up my high salary and stable job to regain balance and chase what I really desire – helping people in another way and solving their skin problems. Now I do what I love, and I created my skincare brand with my passion for natural and green beauty – OSCO Natural & Organic!
How has overcoming your skin challenges (hormonal acne, something so many women struggle with) informed the way you conceptualize beauty and also how you approach product formulation?
Coyran Cheung: I know it seems hopeless and frustrating when you are facing skin problems. But I do believe beauty is simple, pure, and clean. Using high-quality natural skincare products and a simple skincare routine will help! Of course, a healthy lifestyle is equally important.
Many people suffer from skin problems– especially acne, blackheads, large pores, dry and sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation, etc. Pollution is one of the reasons for that. Also, people are busy nowadays and want everything to be convenient. Therefore, I formulated the Pollution Defense Serum to solve people’s main skin concerns caused by pollution, without requiring a complicated skincare routine. I used 100% natural and 80% organic ingredients that are high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids to protect and repair the skin as it faces the polluted environment every day.
How did you become aware of and then passionate about pollution and skincare?
Coyran Cheung: Pollution has become more severe nowadays, UV radiation, air pollution, light pollution, and ozone depletion are a few of the more obvious causes. Generally, people are aware of the dangers of pollution, but very few take action to protect themselves against it.
Our skin needs protection against the harmful effects of pollution. People don’t realize how easy it is to protect their skin and to fight against environmental damage such as UV exposure, air pollution, allergens, and even seasonal aggressors.
I care about people, and I am eager to help them become confident, protected, and healthy in a polluted environment. Our skin is exposed to a harsh and unnatural environment and bombarded with different synthetic chemicals; I would love to support people in their natural beauty journey, helping their skin and bringing them back to nature.
What are the most important effects of pollution on the skin?
Coyran Cheung: Pollution can lead to different effects on our skin. Squalene and vitamin E are the main antioxidants of the skin; however, when exposed to pollution, these antioxidants will be depleted as they combat oxidative stress in the skin, causing dry skin. Moreover, microscopic pollutants may infiltrate deeper layers of the epidermis, causing inflammation and sensitive skin. Pollution can also lead to excessive sebum secretion, uneven skin tone, wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity by breaking down collagen and the lipid layer in the skin, impairing barrier function. Ultimately, pollution results in premature aging.
OSCO Pollution Defense Serum
How would you describe your beauty and skincare philosophies?
Coyran Cheung: OSCO exists to raise your health consciousness, address your skin concerns and bring you back to nature by providing natural and organic healthy lifestyle products.
We believe every person is connected to nature from birth.
We believe holistic wellness builds a positive mindset, health, and beauty from within.
We believe beauty is simple, pure, and clean.
We believe confidence is beauty.
We believe protection and prevention are as important as a cure for health and skin.
You are a Professional Organic Skincare Formulator with formal training from Formula Botanica. What do you see as the most valuable components of this training? How has this training enhanced the line you have now created?
Coyran Cheung: I definitely love Formula Botanica and am so proud to be one of their graduates. They teach step by step from basic and everything you need to know about organic skincare formulation. They also create a warm community for us to share everything about green beauty. Besides, I appreciate how Formula Botanica supports their students and graduates by helping them promote their business as well.
I graduated from the International Organic Skincare Entrepreneur Program, which is a very intensive and informative course. It has enhanced my knowledge and networking in the industry, as well as the quality of the line I have now created.
What are your biggest overarching goals as a) a formulator of Pollution Defense Serum and b) as a brand founder of OSCO?
Coyran Cheung: My goal is to change people’s view on face oil, as it is actually a great skincare product that is effective, gentle, and multi-functional. Unlike synthetic or mineral oils, natural and organic plant oils are similar in composition to the lipids on your skin, so they are easily metabolized by your body. We don’t need to worry about our pores being clogged up. Moreover, I hope to help people solve their skin concerns caused by pollution with Pollution Defense Serum, making them feel protected and confident.
As a brand founder of OSCO, I hope to increase my brand awareness in Hong Kong and overseas so that to raise people’s health consciousness, solve their skin concerns and bring them back to nature. At the same time, I hope to educate them on the advantages and benefits of natural skincare. I hope people would join the green beauty journey.
You chose a beautiful blend of potent and precious oils and extracts for your star product, Pollution Defense Serum. Can you tell us your favorite thing about each ingredient and why you wanted to include it as part of your formulation?
Coyran Cheung:
- Jojoba Oil: contains same waxy esters as in human sebum and does not clog pores
- Watermelon Seed Oil: minimizes pore size and detoxifies skin
- Prickly Pear Seed Oil: boosts collagen production, evens skin tone, high antioxidant properties
- Sacha Inchi Oil: contains high levels of Omega-3 (Alpha-linolenic acid) that helps regulate oils production and lock hydration in skin
- Pomegranate Seed Oil: boosts collagen production and contains unique essential fatty acid Omega-5 (Punicic acid) is obtained from the seed of the pomegranate. It is a powerful antioxidant that can destroy harmful free radicals and prevent aging
- Rosehip Seed CO2 Extract: treats scar tissues and blemishes
- Seabuckthorn Pulp CO2 Extract: contains palmitic acid that protects skin from unwanted penetration of environmental substances
- Rose Geranium Oil: balances hormones and oil production
- Lavender Oil: anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial that reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing
- Red Mandarin Oil: purifies skin and maintains moisture balance in the skin
What are some common mistakes you see people making in their skincare and in their pollution defense, and of these what makes you cringe the most and why?
Coyran Cheung: People usually like to use many skincare steps with many different skincare products. It will add burden and even irritate the skin. We believe beauty is simple, pure, and clean. We do not need complicated steps and routine to treat our skin. To cleanse, hydrate and repair, protect and moisturize our skin is enough to maintain our skin health and function.
In the polluted environment, very few people take action to protect themselves against it. Wearing masks, sunscreen, sunglasses and applying skincare products that are high in antioxidants are the simple ways to boost pollution defense. (Suggested article: https://osconatural.com/blogs/skin-care-1/8-easy-ways-to-protect-and-repair-your-skin-against-pollution)
Besides, people like to use synthetic skincare products because they like the (artificial) fragrance and ‘effective’ results on their skin. Those ‘effective’ results are mainly due to the synthetic ingredients that may destroy some of the skin structures or be harmful to the skin (or even health in the long term) to give quick and visible results. However, when people stop using those synthetic ones, they may feel like their skin returns to the original condition and even worse. It may take time to see the results with natural skincare products (actually they are potent, high performance and effective), but I know you won’t be disappointed when you and your skin are overall in a ‘real’ healthy condition.
Moreover, I would like to educate people more about what is truly natural and how to screen their ingredient lists. There are many brands on the market claiming that they are natural when they actually are not. I hope to help people know more about the ‘real’ natural beauty industry so they can choose what will truly benefit them.
What is your process for creating a product? Do you plan to launch other products in the line in time?
Coyran Cheung: Research and development process is very important for creating a product. I did a lot of research before creating Pollution Defense Serum. Trial and error is crucial as well. I will seriously consider and carefully select the packaging for different products to ensure its quality and benefits to the ingredients. It really takes time, but I enjoy it very much. I plan for there to be more products in the line in future.
How would you describe the experience you want people to have with OSCO Pollution Defense Serum?
Coyran Cheung: OSCO Pollution Defense Serum is different from many serums in that it lets your skin breathe. It is a high-performance facial oil with light and fast absorbing texture. You don’t need to worry about breakouts. It is suitable for all skin types. The scent of the serum is wonderful and relaxing. This serum is made with 12 potent and precious oils and extracts (100% natural and 80% certified organic ingredients) that are high in antioxidants and fatty acids (Omega-3, 5, 6, 7, 9) that your skin definitely needs. Pollution Defense Serum will protect, detoxify, repair and strengthen your skin’s fight against the polluted environment. Your skin will be improved with visible results (skin becomes supple and soft, skin barrier strengthened, pores minimized, skin tone improved) upon regular use without any burden.
What is your philosophy on the use of essential oils?
Coyran Cheung: Less is more. I selected lavender, mandarin and rose geranium essential oils as they work in synergy and give a high performance to the serum which focuses on anti-pollution. The mixed scent of floral, green and citrus is soothing and relaxing. Another reason I selected these three essential oils is they are not photo-sensitive so that we can use it day and night.
Thank you for reading!
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Be sure to check out my review of the line’s first release, Pollution Defense Serum!