“Having washed hair all the time, have you ever washed your scalp?
Ten years ago, Seeyoung pioneered the era of silicone-free shampoo in China. With a catchy slogan, it deeply impressed people’s minds and became the undisputed pioneer in scalp care.
Today, ten years later, with the rise of the beauty economy, scalp care has become a top priority for Chinese people, and numerous brands have entered the market. As a trailblazer, how will Seeyoung lead the development of the scalp care industry?
On April 8th, Seeyoung held the Chinese Scalp Care Microecology Conference and Seeyoung New Product Launch in Guangzhou. Following the 2023 Seeyoung Scalp Care Summit, this event gathered experts from various fields such as production, academia, research, and sales. Seeyoung, as the frontrunner, shared the latest research achievements in scalp microecology, aiming to explore the breakthrough path in scalp care.”
The way out of the “vicious cycle” of scalp issues: scalp microbiome balance
Looking at the industry’s development, it is undoubtedly clear that microbiome skincare has become one of the most popular segments in the market in recent years. According to Euromonitor data, the annual compound growth rate of the microbiome skincare product market is expected to reach 26% from 2019 to 2025. It is projected that by 2025, the market size of microbiome skincare products will reach 10.54 billion yuan, with a market penetration rate potentially rising to 1.5%. This trend highlights consumers’ high regard for maintaining a healthy skin ecosystem.
While the cosmetics industry has seen increasing research on skin microbiome, the scalp, which is also part of the human skin, has received less attention from the industry. Professor Liu Wei, the director of the Dermatology Hospital at the former Air Force General Hospital and an advisor to the Chinese Medical Doctor Association’s Dermatology Physicians Branch, also mentioned during the conference that maintaining a balanced scalp microbiome is crucial for overall scalp health. However, there is still a lack of research in the industry regarding issues caused by scalp microbiome imbalance, such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Further investigation by CHAILEEDO has revealed that the human scalp is a complex ecosystem that is suitable for the colonization of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites. These microbial communities not only inhabit the scalp but also secrete certain substances to resist harmful microorganisms, thereby maintaining the scalp’s ecosystem. Through adaptation between microbes and humans, this delicate balance between the scalp and microbiota remains stable and healthy.
When this balance is disrupted, the microbial communities on the scalp become disturbed, leading to various scalp and hair-related conditions such as scalp itching and dandruff. Dr. Bing Han, a doctoral graduate in Clinical Medicine (Dermatology) from Tongji University School of Medicine, also explained that scalp microbiome imbalance can cause issues like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
“Today, more than half of the population still suffers from seborrheic scalp problems. However, we have found that excessive sebum secretion can damage the scalp barrier, leading to scalp microbiome imbalance, and scalp microbiome imbalance can further damage the scalp barrier and cause excessive sebum secretion,” said Dr. Pan Zhi, the Chief Scientist of Seeyoung’s parent company, UNIASIA Technology, and a postdoctoral fellow at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. The solution to this “vicious cycle” of scalp issues lies in establishing a balanced scalp microbiome.
In this context, Seeyoung, as the pioneer in silicone-free hair care, not only positions itself as the “scientist of scalp care for Chinese people” but also conducts in-depth research on scalp microbiome issues and provides scientifically effective scalp care solutions. The first step Seeyoung has taken is the official launch of an innovative ingredient this year—the exclusive fermented essence of Soapnut.
According to Dr. Pan Zhi, the Soapnut fermented essence is derived from the natural plant extract of Soapnut fruit peel. Through techniques such as genetic sequencing and AI-based high-throughput screening, Seeyoung has successfully identified over one billion small-molecule, high-osmolarity bioactive components. It is reported that this cellular-level fermented essence selectively combats harmful bacterial communities while strengthening beneficial bacterial communities, achieving a balanced scalp microbiome.
It is worth mentioning that based on breakthroughs in microbiome technology, Seeyoung has obtained two invention patents* in the field, been granted two patents, published three papers, and received one award for technological progress, which validates its outstanding effectiveness in regulating scalp microbiome balance.
Seeyoung launches new products, making a move in a new sector
As is well known, technological innovation for a company is not just limited to research conducted in the laboratory but must also transform patent achievements into the driving force behind the company’s development.
After in-depth market insights, Seeyoung has discovered that consumers’ hair care focuses primarily on two major needs. The first is oil control and volume, which accounts for a high market share of 51% and has seen a 2-fold increase in attention on the Douyin platform. The second is the issue of dandruff and scalp itching, which holds a market share of 28% and has grown at a rate of 1.6 times.
To achieve a balanced scalp microbiome and address scalp issues at their root, Seeyoung has launched a new series of microbiome efficacy products and high-end salon care products at today’s conference. These products provide consumers with multi-step, multi-category solutions from “cleansing” to “nurturing” in terms of oil control, dandruff removal, and hair loss prevention.
Firstly, in response to consumers’ oil control needs, Seeyoung has introduced the Oil Control Volumizing Balancing Shampoo. It contains cellular-level fermented essence of Soapnut and 99.9% pure niacinamide, which together enhance oil control by 61%. It is also formulated with six skincare ingredients, including amino acid surfactants, panthenol, niacinamide essence, ADS, betaine salicylate, and Soapnut. Third-party experimental data shows that this shampoo not only gently cares for the scalp but also provides volumizing effects up to 5 centimeters after one wash and long-lasting oil control for 72 hours, effectively solving the problem of oily and flat hair.
In addition, the oil control series includes the “One-Minute Volumizing Hair Mask” and “Oil Control Soothing Green Ampoule,” which provide product benefits such as hair thickening and soothing scalp repair, offering consumers comprehensive scalp care.
To address dandruff problems, Seeyoung has designed the Selenium Disulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo series. The key ingredient is ultra-fine selenium disulfide, combined with ultra-fine dispersion technology, which not only provides rapid relief from itching in 15 seconds but also effectively resolves dandruff problems within 42 days.
It is worth mentioning that on the day of the new product launch event, the Selenium Disulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo from Seeyoung’s newly released Microbiome Efficacy series made its debut on JD.com.
In addition, for different dandruff-prone individuals, Seeyoung has also introduced customized dandruff solutions – the Periodic Repair series. It is reported that for individuals with moderate to severe dandruff, after using the products for four weeks, the problem can be resolved and not recur for 42 days. For individuals with mild dandruff, daily use of maintenance products can achieve continuous dandruff removal for 56 days.
Furthermore, during the conference, Seeyoung also revealed to CHAILEEDO that they will launch the high-end salon care series, SEE YOUNG PRO, for the first time in July this year. The salon line of products mainly includes shampoo, hair serum, and hair mask. The core ingredient, scientific peptide (recombinant repairing peptide), mimics the protein composition of hair and contains 10 times the repairing power of regular protein. It precisely fills in the lost protein in the scalp and hair, providing consumers with a salon-level hair care experience and immediately restoring the natural texture of the hair.
This series of innovative and upgraded products from Seeyoung reflects the brand’s deep understanding of consumer needs and its ability to respond quickly. By providing customized hair care solutions for different consumer needs, Seeyoung not only strengthens its leading position in the market but also brings consumers a new hair care experience like never before, driving the hair care industry towards higher quality and technological advancement.
After the introduction of silicone-free products, Seeyoung has gained more room for imagination
Looking back at Seeyoung’s 10-year journey, it all started in 2014 when Seeyoung pioneered the use of silicone-free scalp care products, replacing silicones with natural plant-derived oils to relieve the scalp burden. This marked the beginning of silicone-free hair care in the Chinese market and established the association of “silicone-free = Seeyoung” in consumers’ minds.
However, Seeyoung didn’t stop at silicone-free products. In 2016, Seeyoung keenly perceived the advanced consumer demand for gentle and lightweight hair care products. They launched a milder amino acid-based shampoo, leading scalp care into the 2.0 era.
In 2024, on the occasion of Seeyoung’s 10th anniversary, the brand introduced the Microbiome Efficacy series. Through in-depth research on cellular-level fermented essence of Soapnut and the integration of scientific efficacy ingredients, Seeyoung focuses on the micro-ecological health of the scalp, providing multi-step, multi-category solutions for oil control, dandruff removal, and hair loss prevention.
As the Vice President of Personal Care Marketing System at UNIASIA Technology and the General Manager of Seeyoung, Meng Fei, said, since the establishment of the brand in 2014, Seeyoung has never stopped pursuing cutting-edge scientific technology and product innovation. Their relentless exploration of core scalp health issues has yielded significant achievements.
To date, Seeyoung has obtained 29 patents, including 18 Chinese leading patents, 4 international leading patents, and 15 scientific and technological awards. These achievements fully demonstrate Seeyoung’s innovative capabilities and core competitiveness in solving scalp care technological challenges. Through the application of patented technologies such as silicone-free and sulfate-free formulations, Seeyoung provides consumers with healthier and more effective scalp care solutions, significantly enhancing the brand’s competitiveness and influence in the global market.
Today, Seeyoung’s dedication to scientific scalp care has earned respect from the industry and gained the trust and support of consumers. The brand has received honors such as “No.1 Chinese Hair Care Brand,” “China’s No.1 Silicone-Free Hair Care Brand,” and more. At the consumer level, Seeyoung has been recognized with awards such as the Top Brand in Hair Care for College Students and the COSMO Annual Innovation Expert Recommendation Award. They have also received channel awards including Watsons’ Top 10 Brands and Tmall’s Golden Makeup Award, showcasing Seeyoung’s position in consumers’ minds and the brand’s market influence.
It can be said that after a decade of deep cultivation and innovation, Seeyoung has not only become a leader in scalp care but also a pioneer in scalp care technological advancements and a “compass” for innovation in the scalp care industry.
Today, with the vision of becoming “China’s leading scientific scalp care brand,” Seeyoung is built on the foundation of scalp microbiome science. They not only provide consumers with scientific scalp care solutions but also accelerate industry transformation and continue to lead the way in the scalp care industry’s new direction.
