A view of IOPE Lab in Myeongdong, downtown Seoul, which is run by Amorepacific. (Photos: Amorepacific)

IOPE Lab in Myeongdong, downtown Seoul, which is run by Amorepacific, was opened on May 6 after it underwent a renovation.

Advanced instruments of IOPE LAB have already measured and diagnosed skin conditions of more than 4,300 women, and such skin data are used to developed products effectively.

IOPE Lab serves as not only a research lab to conduct research, but also as a premium outlet in which each visitor’s skin condition is measured and analyzed to provide solutions tailored to meet his or her needs.

IOPE Lab is attracting keen attention as the government has decided to nurture customized cosmetics into a new future growth engine of the cosmetics industry and purse regulatory reform.

IOPE Lab is a three-floor structure. On the first floor, there is “Solution Lab,’ in which IOPE products are tested and purchased.
On the second floor, there is “Custom Beauty Lab,” in which visitors can be allowed to participate in theme study programs varying according to each month like customized 3D mask and serum production & brainwave research.

On the third floor, there is “Skin Science Lab,” in which skin measurements by advanced instruments are made and consultations take place through genetic analyses.

Among the programs that can be available at the Lab is “Skin Future Solution Program,” designed to provide comprehensive skin solutions based on genetic analyses and precise measurements.

It gives tips on how to maintain healthy skin conditions according to seven skin problems after analyzing 26 genes in diverse angles – 13 kinds of skin gene and 13 kinds of health care gene.

IOPE Lab is a place in which it serves as not only a research lab to conduct research on future skin and but also as a premium outlet in which each visitor’s skin conditions are measured and analyzed.

Those who buy a genetic test kit via a website and send mucous membranes collected from his or her mouth have results informed in two weeks.

“IOPE Lab Gino Index,” a gene analysis kit jointly developed by IOPE and Theragen Bio based on several years of genetic study, can be purchased Amorepacific Mall, Aritaum Mall and IOPE Lab outlets.

Visitors to IOPE Lab can experience something like “Lab Tailored 3D Mask” and “Lab Tailored Serum,” each tailored to meet his or her skin conditions.

Lab Tailored 3D Mask is a customized hydrogel mask produced by a 3D printing technology after the size of each face is measured. Six different functional substances are applied according to six categories, including eye rim, and the bridge of the nose.

Kim Ji-hye, a researcher with IOPE Lab, said genetic tests can determine whether skin problems have been caused by skin mismanagement or inborn DNAs. They are in a process of knowing each person’s exact information, said Kim, adding that environmental factors account for 40 percent, so genetic ones inherited from parents are not fully realized.

The tailored program – skin diagnosis and consultation plus a mask pack and four serum products – costs 75,000 won.

The purchase of the program is cheaper than buying them separately. Visitors can buy an additional mask pack and an additional serum for 10,000 won and 18,000 won based on stored skin measurement data.

An Amorepacific official said customers wanting to experience in person tour IOPO Lab, and Amorepacific will make strenuous efforts to popularize customized cosmetics.