Interview: Oscar Pereira, founder of CodeSkin, a skincare brand

An interview with Oscar Pereira, founder of CodeSkin, a skincare brand

In an insightful interview with Oscar Pereira, the visionary founder of CodeSkin, we delve into the core of his mission to revolutionize skincare. With a commitment to clean, safe, and effective products, Pereira blends scientific innovation with natural ingredients to create a brand that empowers consumers.

His dedication to merging science with skincare promises a transformative approach to beauty and health.

Oscar, you’ve had a notable career in skincare. What inspired you to re-enter the industry with CodeSkin?

Oscar Pereira: I am the ex-co-founder of Cheryl’s Cosmeceuticals, which was acquired by L’Oréal in 2013.  I am very passionate about developing the highest quality skincare and have always been firm in my belief of making world class products on par or even better than high end international products and to deliver these high-grade products at affordable prices to Indian consumers.

This has been my main inspiration in re-entering the industry with CodeSkin. However other factors that guided me in this decision was my longing and keenness to mitigate the trial-and-error approach of the customer in selecting products, and in turn to make the safest products according to skin type and concern with the highest efficacy in the consumer world.

What sets CodeSkin apart from other skincare brands on the market today?

Oscar Pereira: Our philosophy is that the code to great skin is Safe, Effective, Clean. It is my unwavering guarantee that every product from the CodeSkin stable will meet the rigorous standards of Safe Science, Effective Results and Clean Beauty which is what will set CodeSkin apart from other skin care brands in the market today

Our primary focus is the safety of our consumers. We go to great lengths to select only the safest ingredients in the world. We are careful not to use any ingredients that may be in the restricted list since the CodeSkin charter goes beyond international cosmetic regulations.

Our formulations are clinically tested for effective results, which demonstrates the visible difference that our products make to our consumer’s skin. We are committed to the transformative power of our formulations.

We are concerned about clean beauty. Our ingredients are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced, and we promote social responsibility. We use eco-friendly packaging and believe in ethical testing that is cruelty-free. We are committed to reducing the carbon footprint, practicing conscientious.

We also have our own R&D, where through extensive and time-consuming research we design our own formulations. All our products are formulated in house by our own team and these formulations are for our own production and not shared or outsourced to others.

This ensures that all CodeSkin products are unique, cannot be duplicated and remain exclusive to our consumers

We have our own manufacturing unit, which is a certified GMP ( Good Manufacturing Practice) factory and do not indulge in third party or contract manufacturing. This ensures we have complete control over the production and packaging process and all our products are manufactured and marketed by CodeSkin.

We are here for the long haul and therefore in the development and manufacturing of our products, we look at the science of the ingredients and not just some fads, which are temporary and short term.

Can you walk us through the process of developing a new skincare product for CodeSkin? What factors do you consider crucial?

Oscar Pereira: My primary focus is understanding the needs of my consumers and the latest market trends. For example, according to my research, the trending skin concern, was the increasing skin barrier damage due to climate change, environmental factors and overuse of harsh chemical treatments, which was in turn leading to increased skin sensitivity.

This concern and need of the market, directed me to create a Barrier Repair Cream that would repair the skin barrier and normalize the skin functioning by strengthening the barrier defence of the skin.

The other main factors that I consider crucial for developing a new skincare product are:

1. Research and Development which kickstarts once we have a clear idea of the skin concern. At this stage, my R& D team will prepare a product brief which will specifically establish all the product requirements and also identify the necessary ingredients for formulating the product.
2. CodeSkin provides the foundation to address the unique skin care needs from improving visible skin concerns like ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation. This is why we are highly selective towards our ingredients. The latest trending ingredients rarely make the cut and we only include those ingredients that really work. This ensures that all our products do not contain harsh ingredients that cause unnecessary irritations and dryness.
3. Testing: Our balanced formulas are vigorously clinically tested and the result is youthful, healthier looking skin. The product is independently evaluated by a panel of dermatologists. Post their feedback, it is extensively tested through our network of salon professionals across India as well as our existing clientele. After receiving feedback from our market testing, the products is then submitted to an independent Clinical Research Organisation for clinical testing in order to validate our claims
4. Packaging: All our packaging must be environmentally sustainable to meet our goal of clean beauty. We carefully choose packaging that protects the integrity of the product, while also selecting eco-friendly packaging materials to reduce our carbon footprint.
5. Training and Education: I strongly believe that constant training in skin and product knowledge is crucial for consumers to guide the end user in the judicious selection of the right home care regimen that will enhance the functioning and appearance of their skin for ultimate satisfaction at every level of the D to C and B to B chain.
   
   For our retail customers we have a dedicated Blog page on our website www.codeskin.in which contains articles that will provide answers to every query they have. We also have a skin analysis tool on our site to help consumers identity their skin type and condition which will help them in selecting the right products.  

How does CodeSkin ensure that its products meet the diverse needs of its customers?

Oscar Pereira: I am constantly in touch with many of my customers all over India and obtaining their continuous feedback regarding products already introduced and also regarding special needs of their customers.

I can humbly state that almost all products formulated in the past and now by CodeSkin are based on the feedback and suggestions received from my customer family all over India.

For example, some of the skin concerns brought to my notice was hydration, pigmentation, pre-mature ageing, sun protection and acne to name a few. This has encouraged me to formulate products for these needs, a prime example of which is The Hyaluronic 7+, a serum formulated with 7 different molecular weights of Hyaluronic acid along with other ingredients like Linolenic Acid that combats an uneven skin tone.

This hydrating and brightening serum gives the skin a glassy, dewy appearance and was specially formulated for all skin types including sensitive skin based on my customer feedback.

What strategies are you employing to build brand awareness and engage with your target audience?

Oscar Pereira: Identifying my target audience is the first priority before engaging with them. Effeza Science Pvt. Ltd will be the holding company and under it will exist many brands such as CodeSkin that will be the e-commerce D to C brand while CodeSkin PRO will be the B to B exclusive brand for beauty professionals.

Upcoming brands under the Effeza umbrella would be those making medi-facials and medical grade products for dermatologists and skin clinics.

For building brand awareness, we have a dedicated Digital Marketing Team and a Digital Marketing Agency that is actively engaged in pushing content across all social media platforms like Facebook, Google, Instagram, YouTube, apart from our own website which is www.codeskin.in

We are also actively involved in WhatsApp marketing and through social media we aim to drive traffic across all platforms including our website and build a community around CodeSkin.

Future projects are our own podcasts which will be educative, informative and will strengthen the community in making informed decisions regarding the upkeep of their skin.

We are constantly developing high quality content for social media that is diverse and engaging, including educational tips, user-generated content, behind-the-scenes testimonials and interactive exercises like quizzes and future live podcasts.

We are collaborating with influencers whose followers match our target audience to amplify our reach and credibility and also implementing paid advertising campaigns on all platforms for increasing our reach and awareness of our brand.

We are constantly monitoring this data in real time and we continue to adapt our digital and social media strategies till we are well positioned to build strong brand awareness and loyalty.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the skincare industry?

Oscar Pereira: Entering the skincare industry requires passion, creativity, and a strategic approach. I do not profess to be an expert in advice so any information on this subject will be solely based on my personal experience of over 30 years in the skincare business.

1. Start with the basics which is to have a clear vision and plan which will act as a roadmap going forward
2. Conduct thorough market research to understand the skincare industry, competition and target audience, which will guide you in making the right products that will fulfil the needs of your customers.
3. Be customer centric. The customer is king and focus on the customer and not the sale.
4. Network with as many experts as possible and surround yourself with mentors and peers who can provide guidance, feedback and support. Attend industry events and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with like-minded people  
5. Have Financial Discipline and keep a close eye on your finances. Create a budget, stick to it and avoid unnecessary expenditure that does not contribute to your core goals.
6. Be actively engaged on social media to reach your target audience.
7. Build a strong, committed team and be open to change and commit yourself to continuous learning
8. Be ethical and build your business on a foundation of honesty and high integrity where you are transparent with your customers and team.
9. Be patient, persistent and don’t give up as there will be challenges.

Are there any upcoming projects or expansions you’re particularly excited about for CodeSkin?

Oscar Pereira: I’m very excited to be involved in this journey of developing the most technologically advanced skin care products for retail customers and salon professionals

 My current priority is to develop and consolidate the entire skincare range for CodeSkin, the D to C brand, which will develop products for retail consumers and will be available on online platforms and CodeSkin PRO the B to B brand that will develop products for salon professionals.

I am also currently involved in developing products which will be the gold standard in skin care such as retinols and bio-retinols for sensitive skin, Vitamin C with L- Ascorbic acid, Moisturizers with peptides giving an anti-ageing benefit and whole range of products for dealing with mild acne and post acne blemishes.

The next brand under the Effeza umbrella would be an exclusive professional skin care brand, making medi-facials and products, solely for use by dermatologists and professional skin care clinics including laser clinics.  

This could feature high potency serums, retinoids, latest grade exfoliants like PFAs and LHAs for treating specific concerns such as rosacea, acne, hyperpigmentation, etc. In the near future, many more brands under the Effeza umbrella would be born out of the need and requirement prevalent at that time.

Oscar Pereira’s passion for integrating cutting-edge science with ethical practices underscores CodeSkin’s dedication to consumer well-being. By prioritizing safety and efficacy, Pereira ensures that CodeSkin stands out as a beacon of trustworthy skincare.

His vision not only reshapes skincare standards but also inspires a new era of informed and empowered skincare choices.

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