Lianna Albrizio, Assistant Editor07.25.23
Symphony Beauty Founder James Jo was in his Third Avenue apartment on 13th Street in downtown New York City when he witnessed United Airlines Flight 175 strike the South Tower of the World Trade Center shortly after 9 am on Sept. 11, 2001.
At the time, Jo was a sophomore at Parsons the School of Design mapping out a future career as a graphic designer. But after witnessing the “surreal, shocking and unbelievable” events of 9/11, his patriotism and allegiance to his country was harkening, and upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
It was on the battlefield where he learned three virtues that he carried home to New York where he eventually started Symphony Beauty seven years later: honor, commitment and courage.
“Through the Marine Corps, they teach you three values, which were embedded in me,” said Jo. “My company is the mirror that reflects decades of honor towards my family and community true to the corps, courage to the do the right thing when times are tough and commitment to follow through on promises.”
Launched in 2015, Jo launched Symphony Beauty with the same principles that were instilled in him during his time with the marine corps.
“Our company means the highest standard of efficacy and quality [with] cruelty-free serums and the essence of nature ingredients for everlasting beautiful skin,” said Jo.
Symphony Beauty is broken down into three brands: Purifect, Clara’s New York and True Nature. They cater to consumers of all ages in need of efficacious solutions for sensitive skin. All formulations use a proprietary nano-emulsion technology. Created by chemists based in Jo’s native Korea, colloidal particulate systems are synthesized using an emulsifying agent, oil and an aqueous phase that come in two forms: oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions. For the synthesis of nano emulsions, two immiscible liquids are mixed to form a single phase using suitable surfactant. The benefit is a more seamless penetration into skin to provide for optimal product absorption and results, Jo asserted.
Jo’s skincare products are broken down to resonate with select consumers — Purifect is available in Hashtag and Regular for consumers 35 and older and Gen Z, respectively, and is priced at around $20. Clara’s New York is designed for consumers aged 25-40 and priced the highest from $25. The price point for True Nature falls in between.
Navigating the ‘Battlefield of Competition’
“The natural products were expensive for our budget, and she couldn’t find anything in the US,” noted Jo.
Symphony Beauty’s chemists are based in Korea – a number of whom he met through the beauty shows during his tenure at the cosmetics company.
For Jo, beautiful skin comes from beautiful skincare routines, and products and ingredients are layered like the marriage of musical instruments.
“Beauty is just like orchestra. So many products even in skincare, so many ingredients. Although we have 16 different formulations of facial serum, you can layer them like [an] orchestra.”
Symphony Beauty offers myriad anti-aging products including moisturizers, eye creams, vitamin C serum and retinol. Purifect’s Rescuing Ceramide Facial Serum improves moisture retention to strengthen and restore the skin barrier to target water loss in the skin.
#Purifect Eye Me to the Moon Eye Serum contains tripeptide-1 to intensely moisturize and hydrate the eye area, giving tired peepers a refreshed look.
Clara’s New York, named for one of Jo’s daughters, includes an advanced hyaluronic acid that contains a natural blend of 90% HA and vitamin E oils to intensively moisturize parched skin.
Stimulating Retinol Facial Serum, which can be used daily, is a 96% natural blend of retinol and vitamin E oils to intensively moisturize dry skin, while promoting skin cell renewal and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E provides anti-aging benefits such as improved cellular strength and elasticity.
‘Cure-All’ Results
All clinical trials for Symphony Beauty products are performed in Korea. Consistent users see results between two and three days and others up to two weeks, according to the company.
But for Jo, one special customer provided feedback—an elderly Ohio woman who said her “cure-all” was the Brightening Vitamin C Facial Serum from Purifect.
“One of the most amazing phone calls was three months ago from a lady who was 78 years old,” said Jo. “She was blown away. Her skin problems were miraculously gone using the Vitamin C serum.” Jo told Happi the happy customer claimed that serum and “treated everything the doctors couldn’t.”
Symphony Beauty donates 1% of its profit to women veterans via its partnership with Foundation For Women Warriors, an organization dedicated to supporting women veterans and their children.
Purifect is sold at CVS, college bookstores and HEB supermarkets; Clara’s New York online and Sephora UK; and True Nature Skincare here.