Beauty Boss: Janel Luu, CEO, Founder and Formulator of Le Mieux Cosmetics
Janel Luu.
Our latest #BeautyBoss is Janel Luu, CEO, Founder and Formulator of Le Mieux Cosmetics—an expertly formulated skincare line that features professional grade ingredients. Founded in 2004, Le Mieux was created to offer the best anti-aging solutions on the market and is a favorite among physicians and estheticians who regularly recommend it to their patients and clients.
Le Mieux specializes in regenerative formulas and post-procedure, anti-inflammatory solutions that include a wide range of high-tech and skin-preserving ingredients that are made and approved by an elite team of scientists, physicians, and chemists who are dedicated to creating important breakthroughs in cosmetic technology.
We chatted with Luu who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, beauty tips, and much more.
When was Le Mieux founded and what does the name mean?
Le Mieux was founded in 2004. "Le Mieux" is a French word that translates as "the best.” I chose that name because my passion is always to create the best scientifically advanced formulas to truly transform skin.
What inspired the creation of the brand?
Being Korean, I’ve always been obsessed with skincare routines. I started in the industry by identifying a lot of skincare problems my relatives and friends were having, and the skincare products they were using were not giving the results they’d hope for. I started this business because I am a problem solver. My passion is skin and delaying skin aging. I always ask myself, “Can I delay skin aging by 10 years?”
I’m a disruptor. I don’t believe in skincare “rules.” My goal is to turn the skincare industry upside down by debunking skincare myths, like the myth that you have to inflame the skin to get results, which is what happens with aggressive topical products. But chronic inflammation and irritation actually leads to thinning of the skin. Skin is meant to be understood, not inflamed. Most of the population looks at their skin from 2 feet away—from their mirror. But what we do at Le Mieux is to look at the skin at the cellular level and how we can impact skin cells.
As a researcher and formulator in the skincare industry, I find that it is important to not look at formulas as a single ingredient-driven product. A formulator is like a chef in the kitchen, finding multiple ingredients that work perfectly together to make an impact on the skin. I have very high expectations for my products. Tradition is important, but innovation is more important. I am not a “me too” kind of formulator. I am constantly researching, because I’m not satisfied with yesterday’s concepts or the status quo.
I also have an absolute passion for nourishing and feeding the skin, not just creating a beautiful, feel-good texture. I create products where every ingredient has a purpose for skin. Formulating a product is like doing a jigsaw puzzle, each piece must be in its place.
Le Mieux was the first company to use hyaluronic acid at multiple molecular weights instead of water as a base. It’s because hyaluronic acid saturates skin with hydration and creates the ideal condition for actives to penetrate and work their magic. Check your skincare products. If plain water is at the top of the ingredients list, it dilutes the product and can actually dehydrate skin.
Le Mieux is an expertly formulated skincare line that features professional grade ingredients.
Does Le Mieux have a hero product?
EGF-DNA is our hero serum. In fact, EGF-DNA was the first serum I ever formulated. The formula was originally used by doctors in Korea to accelerate healing when skin recovering from skin grafts.
Le Mieux was the first skincare company to use epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serums and creams. EGD-DNA is the ideal serum for estheticians to treat clients post-care, since EGF helps promote the skin’s healing and renewing process. This serum is also a must-have for people over 30 years old who are just beginning to see signs of aging.
What are your favorite products from the brand?
I have so many favorites, but over the past year, I use Ionized Oxygen Infuser every day. I love how customizable it is, because you can use whichever Le Mieux activator and Le Mieux serum suits your specific skin concern. There’s a little flask on top where I mix Oh My Glow Activator, Oh My Glow Serum, and whatever other serum I feel like using, and then I use the tool to mist the serum on my face and neck. The micronized mist gets into all the little crevices in the skin, which makes all the little wrinkles around my eyes totally disappear and creates an overall “glass skin” glow that is so amazing.
Where are your products sold?
Le Mieux products are sold at lemieuxpro.com for estheticians, and also in spas and online in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Hungary, Philippines, Australia, Korea, and Australia.
Future plans for the brand?
My vision for the company is to change one person’s skin at a time. I want to continue to help estheticians be successful by providing them with prestige brand formulas, with exceptional ingredients. I love independent entrepreneurs, and that is why I started with the professional estheticians. Even though I have been approached by large retailers, I try very hard to stay true to the estheticians because I love seeing a person grow from being an esthetician to being a businessperson.
Le Mieux’s Ionized Oxygen Infuser ($135) dispenses an ultra-fine, line-filling mist to give skin instant glow and volume.
Who inspires you?
Growing up in Korea, I saw my mother take such good care of her skin. In Korea, having great skin is incredibly important for women and men. So in Korea and then after we moved to the U.S., it was my mother who inspired me to take good care of my skin, and to show others how to take good care of their skin, too. When it comes to business, Steve Jobs inspired me to think outside the box and to believe that every day you have the opportunity to recreate your vision and change your destiny.
Secret to success?
Always stand up to life’s challenges, despite the odds.
Don’t negotiate with failure, and never accept the status quo.
Have patience and integrity.
Build something great without copying or being a “me too” in your business.
Beauty secrets?
Sometimes stress shows up around my eyes. Moving my jade gua sha tool in specific directions also helps with eye bags and puffiness. My aunt takes a round gua sha tool and presses all around her eyes, and she swears that doing this every single day prevented her from developing glaucoma. Some people can’t imagine life without their cell phone, but as for me, I can’t live without having my jade tool gua sha nearby!
Wellness tips?
Stress is a part of life, but you don’t have to suffer. Every night I use my gua sha tool with aromatherapy to relax my mind.
Best advice?
Strive to be better every day. Think of it this way: If you improve by 1 percent every day, then you will have improved by 100% in 100 days!
Constantly evolve.
Think outside the box, because life is an ongoing experiment—not a series of successes and failures.
Favorite way to relax?
When I need to unplug from work or just to reduce stress throughout the day, I use my jade gua sha tool with aromatherapy to relax my mind and ease tension in my scalp, forehead, and neck. Here’s my never-fail solution: I move my gua sha tool in one direction along Meridian lines and Meridian points on my scalp, forehead, neck, and shoulders. These Meridian lines and points are similar to the ones used in acupuncture. I’ve taught this Meridian gua sha massage method for years, and I always get amazing results!
I also use a jade gua sha tool along Meridian lines on my wrist and arms when they get tight from working at my computer keyboard. Some people can’t imagine life without their cell phone, but as for me, I can’t live without having my jade tool gua sha nearby!
For more information, visit Le Mieux’s website and follow on Instagram: @lemieux
[Images courtesy of Le Mieux]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk