The Malaysian beauty industry is thriving, driven by increasing consumer demand for local, effective, and culturally resonant skincare solutions. As K-beauty influences continue to make waves across Asia, homegrown brands are carving their own space with products that blend global innovation and indigenous heritage. Two such standout names—Lumi Beauty and Olumes—are making their mark with distinct philosophies and award-winning formulations.
Lumi Beauty
Lumi Beauty was launched in 2020 by Chryseis Tan, initially as a passion project during the pandemic. Sparked by her own love for skincare and influenced by the rising popularity of Korean beauty, Tan collaborated closely with Korean labs to create products with high-efficacy botanical ingredients. The brand’s debut item—the Vitamin Glow Super Serum—was an instant success, selling out within 10 days of its pre-order release.
Tan’s approach is deeply personal—she only finalizes products that she and her family would use. Hero items like the Rose Set Glow Hydrating Mist and Bakuchiol Skydew Cloud Moisturizer are beloved for their gentle yet results-driven formulas, earning Lumi Beauty top recognition at the 2024 Beauty Insider Awards. Her commitment to clean, radiant skincare has helped establish the brand as a modern staple in Malaysian beauty routines.
Always one step ahead, Lumi Beauty is also setting trends in how beauty is experienced. The brand introduced skincare vending machines at malls and airports, offering convenience and accessibility. In 2023, Tan expanded her vision by co-launching The GlowHouse KL, a wellness lounge that combines fitness, beauty, and a café experience. Here, skincare meets lifestyle, and fans can enjoy the brand in a physical space that mirrors its fresh, glowy ethos.
Olumes
Olumes, founded in late 2019 by Aerin Gabor and co-founder Ika Yahiya, was born from a discovery rooted in tradition. While visiting her ancestral home in Kota Kinabalu, Gabor noticed her relatives’ youthful skin and traced the secret to the Kalalit tree, used by the Kadazan-Dusun people for generations. This discovery inspired a mission to share Bornean beauty rituals with the world through modern, clean formulations.
The brand launched with The Refining Lotion and Satin Cream, powered by Kalalit water derived sustainably from the tree’s smaller branches. Blending indigenous ingredients with actives like ceramides and plant stem cells, Olumes earned accolades early on, including a 2021 Beauty Insider Award. One of its most notable innovations is the FCS Complex, a patented blend of marine botanicals and polypeptides from the Celebes Sea, used in their brightening Celebes Serum.
Olumes is also a champion of eco-conscious beauty. Through its Save the Rainforest initiative, the brand supports forest conservation efforts and adheres to ethical sourcing standards. By combining ancestral wisdom, environmental responsibility, and clinical-grade research, Olumes is not only preserving tradition but also innovating for the future of beauty.
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