Struggling with PCOS and hormonal acne, this Gen Z created her own skincare line that addresses common skin concerns, and promotes overall skin health and vitality
Modern beauty consumers are savvier and more educated than ever before. Gen Z, in particular, are making sure to read lables and research the products they incorporate in their routine. The age group’s purchasing decisions are also largely influenced by purpose-and solution-driven branding, transparency, and a desire for individuality. Martina Gozun’s Balansè is that—and is proving to be a stealth winner in Gen Z beauty and personal care.
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Skin Solution
In this day and age, the skincare industry is becoming more individualistic, prioritizing concern and skin type-led formulas. Fueled by a personal experience with skincare challenges, Martina and her sister created a power-packed solution for those with acne-prone and oily-slash-sensitive skin. “Dealing with acne is never pleasant. During my college days, I vividly recall how it impacted my self-esteem and confidence. People would bluntly ask, ‘What happened to your skin?’ or ‘Why is your skin like that?’” Martina openly shares with MEGAStyle. “It reached a point where I would edit my photos and conceal my acne with makeup every day, despite the pain of my breakouts. I was desperate to clear my skin but found it difficult to look for good and effective products due to its sensitivity.”
Battling acne can be an isolating experience, especially when everyone else seems to have perfect skin without even trying. Case in point was Martina’s sister, Mia. But sometimes, they’re not immune to skincare problems. “Her skin type was the opposite of mine—normal, almost poreless, and she rarely experienced breakouts,” Martina continues. “However, during the pandemic, she tried a product that triggered contact dermatitis. Her skin reacted strongly, becoming too sensitive even to water.”
For the Gen Z CEO, Balansè was the answer, then. The skin is a tricky code to crack, and these sisters, armed with their own skincare struggles and aspirations, wanted their brand to resonate with consumers and empower individuals with tools that push for self-care and “embracing your skin’s unique story”.
Balanced Beauty Philosophy
“Balansè directly translates to ‘balance’ in Tagalog. In addition to offering gentle skincare products, we have always emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle—your skin reflects how you care for yourself,” Martina declares. “It ultimately boils down to taking care of yourself, striving to live a balanced life, and choosing high-quality products that suit your skin.”
Her journey towards that balanced lifestyle led to the development of gentle skincare formulations—intentional and researched-backed essentials you reach for on a daily basis.
According to Martina, the research and development process is the longest. “When I find an ingredient that I want to work with, I research—its studies, benefits, how skin-friendly it is, and gather data on the most common feedback,” Martina shares. “Then I consult with a chemist and collaborate with her to create the product. We [the chemist and I] align so much in advocating for gentle skincare and a holistic approach to achieving healthy skin.”
These formulations, then, involve ingredients that recognize the uniqueness of skin types and reactions. “Our goal is to minimize the list of ingredients in each product to ensure it is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin,” Martina continues. “Overloading with too many ingredients can potentially trigger skin sensitivities or allergic reactions to a single component, making the product ineffective for certain individuals. So, we are dedicated to developing solutions that accommodate various skin types and sensitivities.”
After the research and development phase, when a formula meets her standards, Martina shares that she and her sister try it out first as their “own guinea pigs.” Then they send it to willing testers, stay in touch for about one to two months, and monitor the results. “We never skip this step, as feedback from various individuals, mostly strangers, inform us about the product’s effectiveness.”
Martina’s family’s background in business pushed her to begin her own—FDA-approved, cruelty-free, and locally made. With her parents as mentors, Martina built her clientele by extensive and thorough open communication—especially with those who want to try the products. “People would reach out and send their current skin situation. We, then, go through a process where I interview them about their conditions, their lifestyle, and the products they are using,” she says. “With their consent, I make sure to be transparent with them by sending the complete list of ingredients with their purpose. After that, we do weekly updates so we can see the progress of their skin.”
From Concept to Growing Success
The Philippines is a high-stakes beauty and skincare game field, but in recent times when the trend cycle is formidable and fast-paced, it has become increasingly expected that founders keep reinventing the wheel.
Martina’s bouts with acne from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and genetics led to her dedication to promoting well-being. Balansé is the extension of her own personal journey and beliefs, rooted in her experiences and commitment to a more balanced lifestyle. “Having acne is never pleasant, but I never imagined it would lead me to create my own skincare line,” Martina says. “Through Balansè, I’ve helped others regain confidence. Balansè is my channel to encourage people to take things slowly with skincare, be patient, and be gentle with themselves.”
Aside from the personal joy brought about by assisting others who have similar skin issues, Martina tells MEGAStyle that Balansè is her bolster to keep creating and innovating: “I love researching ingredients and their efficacy. It’s probably one of the most fulfilling moments when I’m able to finalize a product that actually works for my skin and the skin of many people. You can never stop creating because there is so much room for innovation through great ingredients today.”
Based on science, the enterprise simplifies many of the mysteries and complexities behind efficacious skincare. But with the saturation of the local skincare industry, Balansè is still trying to carve its own position as a leading name. “Competing against industry giants is tough, but remaining authentic to our community defines our identity,” Martina says. “While global brands have scale, we have intimacy and a deeper understanding of our customers.”
This vision allows Balansè to become your go-to essentials that can live in your bathroom, be your favorite travel companion, improve your skin over time, and keep your skin happy and hydrated.
“We always take our time during the product development stage—we never want to rush the process,” Martina continues to share. “We always keep the end goal in mind: gentle, uncomplicated, biome and barrier-centric skincare products. All of these lead to a restored and rebalanced skin.”
The Gen Z Leader
The heart of the brand is in the people that share in its vision and mindset. As a young leader, Martina tells MEGAStyle that she fosters trust by involving her team in Balansè’s journey.
“They [the team] willingly participate as volunteer test subjects during product development—and it shows the trust Balansè is building,” the Gen Z co-founder explains. “When I introduce a new product, they eagerly test it and give valuable feedback.” Though their main communication challenge stems from her geographic separation with her team, open communication is never something she compromises.
That includes the consumers, too. “I think when Balansé’s able to scale up, I still wouldn’t let go of the direct communication I create with my customers. There’s a difference with being able to talk to them and hear what we have in common. I also cherish our community, Humans of Balansè, where we are all rooted in the same struggles, skin journeys, and all just want to find ways to achieve healthy skin.”
The future of Philippine skincare
While Balansè is only three years old, its dedication and vision make it an expanding go-to in the Philippine skincare market. More than that, however, Martina promotes the idea that beauty and skincare is—ironically—more than just skin-deep. “My dream for the skincare industry in the Philippines is to promote a culture of gentle self-care and holistic skincare practices,” the co-founder tells MEGAStyle. “Skincare is not just about outer beauty; it’s about self-love and care beyond traditional beauty norms. It’s self-care and more than just a beauty category.”
Photos and Featured Image: BALANSÉ
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This Gen Z Founded a Skincare Line to Address Her Acne Concerns
Source: Insta News Pinoy
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