SINGAPORE: How many times have you reached for that “hope-in-a-jar” cream or mask only to find yourself (still) waiting to see a miracle?

Not alone in this plight and not satisfied with the solutions available, saw one woman, Sabrina Tan taking things into her own hands.

After spending over 10 years in the IT industry, Tan who was frustrated with waiting to find the right skin fix, decided to start her own business while pursuing her passion of creating a contemporary beauty experience for individuals.

Knowing that the plethora of creams on the skin-care market can become quite a chore in choosing potion for an individual’s skin-type, Tan opened Skin Inc.

The firm plugs a gap in the market for products that could improve skin health while being customised and changing according to a person’s lifestyle.

“I was inspired to start a brand that would offer real solutions and also make sense to the customer in terms of time and money.

“My professional background in IT, being a very forward thinking and competitive field, gave me the insight and experience into running an international business, which has given me a headstart as an entrepreneur” said the 34-year-old.

Apart from investing her hard-earned money, she had to invest time with her Japanese partners to complete the research and development cycle for new products which needed brand-building from scratch.

Being a mother of two, Tan is a firm believer of fuss-free make up.

To get her Skin Inc users off to the right start, she introduced the skin supplement bar that helps find the right “cocktail” for each person’s skin.

The solutions are based on answers given to a questionnaire .

These skin supplement bars are quite the life-saver for the modern, busy woman. Skin Inc consultants at the Central at Clarke Quay can whip up quickly skincare that is personalised.

“It’s so important to know your own skin, what we call your “unique skin identity” so that you know what ingredients you need to ensure optimal skin health” said Tan.

“The delivery system is also important – that’s where the science comes in to ensure a proactive approach where the ingredients actually get delivered to the deep skin where it really matters, to solve problems at the root. That’s where Skin Inc’s customised products come in.”

To ensure the skincare range for each person is just right, Tan makes sure her staff are not just service-oriented, but also able to grasp the Skin Inc concept, products and think through customised solutions for the customer.

“We want to be the future of skincare, so we face the challenge of being in a very competitive market and having to constantly update ourselves” said the founder of Skin Inc.

But it’s not just the people behind the skincare range who need constant updating, the users too have to do some homework.

“There is also the belief that our skin gets immune or used to products so that they stop working after a while. Actually, the fact is your skin just changes over time.

“This is why we advise customers to update their skin check every few months, so that their skincare solution can be “updated” and adjusted to suit their skin identity at that current time” Tan explained.

While building up Skin Inc in Singapore, the enterprising businesswoman is also looking to expand in China and Vietnam without cutting back on the essentials – weekends with the family at the Marina and helping out at the church nursery.

“Having inner strength, grace and a loving, compassionate spirit - someone who does good deeds is always beautiful” is how Sabrina Tan defines beauty.

The woman behind Skin Inc certainly does prove that looking good is the work of finding a good balance – both in a bottle and in life. - CNA/vm