Restoring skin microbiome long-term: SG clean beauty brand Sigi Skin launches probiotic sheet mask

Launched earlier in October, it contains 20% probiotics (lactobacillus ferment), yuzu extract, kombucha and galactomyces ferment filtrate (by-product of sake) to help promote long-term skin health and restore skin microbiome.

Founder, Xenia Wong told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​: “We wanted to develop a sheet mask that has long term benefit,  because masks in the market now are focused on providing instant hydration or brightening. Sigi Skin wants to promote healthy skin by making products to improve skin health over time so it'd become less sensitive​.

“So with Tea-Tox, yes we have instant hydrating and brightening results, but ultimately it is a probiotic sheet mask to help restore your skin microbiome, helps to strengthen your skin, and also make it less sensitive over time, which is something that all of us are experiencing right now, especially with maskne​.”

Maskne (medical term: acne mechanica) is a skin condition brought about by prolonged wear of facial personal protective equipment such as masks.

The firm recommends using Tea-Tox four times a week, and twice a week thereafter to maintain skin health. In Singapore, it retails for SG$32 (US$23) for four sheets, on Sigi Skin’s website, departmental stores and iShopChangi duty-free shopping.

According to Wong, Sigi Skin spent about two years formulating this product in South Korea. Its ingredients are also sourced and Tea-Tox also manufactured in Korea.

CosmeticsDesign recently ran a global expert webinar on opportunities, trends and challenges in the 2020 skin microbiome category, considering how COVID-19 had impacted the segment.  If you missed it, you can still register for free​​ and watch this 90-minute webinar on-demand. You'll hear from L'Oréal, Gallinée, Cosmetics Europe, Lumina Intelligence and APC Microbiome on consumer and market trends, latest science, regulatory context and NPD opportunities.

Outlook for next year​

Sigi Skin was founded in November 2018 to offer consumers a clean skin care line, without harmful ingredients such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

The company claims that its products are suitable for sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, and also pregnancy- and breast-feeding friendly. 

Sigi Skin currently retails six SKUs (e.g. sunscreen, face wash) including the latest Tea-Tox product.

According to Wong, sales have grown 300% year-on-year, of which might have been contributed by an “unexpected” shoutout from Daniel Martin, Meghan Markle’s makeup artist who revealed using one of Sigi Skin’s products in his skin care routine.

Sigi Skin ships its products worldwide. Wong told us the company is now gearing up to launch into Thailand, through online e-commerce platform Lazada, and physical luxury lifestyle store BFF.

Wang explained: “The Thailand market has a strong interest in clean beauty, and consumers there have the spending power so they're willing to buy to make themselves look good​.”

In addition to Singapore and Thailand, Wang said her team of three is exploring the US market.

The company is also planning to launch a new product in Q1 2021, and two more products in Q3 in Singapore.