#China #Shanghai #Yatsen #Beauty Tech #David Huang

Yatsen CEO's Vision: Transforming the Beauty Landscape

In a revealing interview on Bloomberg's China Show, David (Jingfeng) Huang, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Yatsen Holding Ltd., laid out the company's strategy to evolve from a trending startup into a leading innovator in the global beauty sector. The dialogue highlights Yatsen’s commitment to redefining beauty through rigorous scientific research and development while positioning itself effectively in the market.

Founded in 2016, Yatsen first gained attention with Perfect Diary, which has become a staple in China’s beauty landscape. The company has since expanded its portfolio to 11 brands, including Europe’s Galenic, which emphasizes cellular anti-aging, and the renowned British skincare brand EVE LOM. This diverse product range reflects a calculated approach to meet the varied demands of consumers.

Huang expressed, “Our vision was always to build a next-generation beauty tech company. We transitioned from a trend-driven to a science-backed approach to deliver innovative solutions across all major beauty segments.” The Chinese beauty market, valued at more than RMB 400 billion, is highly fragmented, allowing agile companies like Yatsen to capture market share, even among established competitors.

Innovation as a Growth Driver

Huang emphasized the critical role of innovation, mentioning Yatsen's breakout product, the Biolip Essence Lipstick, which has been a commercial success. This hybrid lipstick not only serves cosmetic purposes but also contains patented ingredients to enhance lip health, showcasing how Yatsen integrates biotech into everyday products. “It’s not just makeup; it’s biotech in a lipstick,” Huang noted, alluding to the positive consumer reception and loyalty the product has garnered.

In 2021, Yatsen took a significant turn towards integrating more skincare amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions. The strategic move entailed restructuring operations and investing more heavily in R&D, marking a shift toward premiumization based on scientific insights. Huang acknowledged, “Turning around a public company isn't easy,” yet remained confident that their focus on science-backed beauty would resonate with consumers.

Stronger Foundations Amid Market Challenges

As Yatsen navigates through economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions while keeping up with rising tariff concerns, Huang emphasized the company’s strategy to source most of its components domestically, thereby fortifying its market position in mainland China. “We’re not immune to global issues,