Beauty Boss: Junko Gomi, CEO of H2O+

Junko Gomi.

This week’s Beauty Boss is Junko Gomi, CEO of H2O+—a brand created by Cindy Melk that has led and innovated skincare hydration with exciting and creative approaches since 1989. Its iconic skincare products feature pure water formulas and a dual-delivery hydration system that helps replenish and lock in moisture.

H2O+’s latest innovation is the clean, Japanese-inspired Hydration Sensitive System, which features a new water technology known as Hydro-Amino Infusion, a proprietary synergetic blend that helps boost and maintain optimum hydration levels with triple-strength action and amino acids. The company has also committed to a three-year journey to deliver an updated, cleaner skincare experience that ensures products are formulated with cleaner, more conscious ingredients.

We chatted with Gomi, who shared beauty and wellness tips, best advice, and more. 

How long have you been with H2O+ and what inspired you to join the company?

I was appointed CEO of H2O+ in January 2018. I was thrilled to join the company as the timing seemed fortuitous. The skincare market in the U.S. was rapidly changing to being cleaner as customers became more conscious of what they put on their bodies. I saw an opportunity for the company to evolve into a cleaner skincare brand. 

Also, the U.S. market has separate categories of U.S. and J-beauty. The market was missing the cross-pollination that melds the best of both. As we continue to evolve the brand, I saw an opportunity to have H2O+ become a true hybrid: a U.S. brand backed by Japanese skincare intentionality and technology. We are re-establishing the heritage that has been with us all along. We are leaning into what made customers interested in H2O+ in the first place: creative, vibrant approaches to skin care with water technology as our driving force. 

Tell us about your journey in the industry.

My passion for beauty runs deep. I knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry since I was in high school and I only applied to cosmetics companies after graduating from university. I wanted to be part of an industry that helps build and celebrate a woman’s own joy and confidence. Most recently, I worked in Tokyo and Sydney for POLA Orbis Holdings group companies, including the Jurlique office in Sydney, holding leadership positions in product development/marketing and corporate strategy. 

Tell us about your role and responsibilities.

I’m responsible for driving and delivering an evolved vision for H2O+. The brand is in its 30th year and has a renewed focus that draws from its legacy as a creative skincare leader. At the moment I am very hands-on in the product development side of the business. I come from a very extensive background in product and saw a major opportunity to collaborate closely with our team in Japan to develop products with a heightened experience. We are introducing the concept of “GOKAN NI HIBIKU” (五感に響く), which means “echoing the five senses”—an intentional force to drive the creation of products that look, smell, feel, and even sound a certain way.

Does H2O+ have a hero product?

Our best seller for many years has been our Oasis Hydrating Treatment. This formula is not only loved by consumers, but it also captures the essence of why our founder developed the brand. She created the brand with some key questions in mind: Why do all skincare creams have to be white? Can’t we develop an effective moisturizer that looks different than everything else on the market? This product continues to be our top seller and embodies the core tenets and spirit of our brand.

What are your favorite products from the brand?

My favorite products are from the Hydration Sensitive product line we recently launched. This is our first foray into clean beauty and was developed specifically for our customers with sensitive skin. I have been using the products morning and night (and taking photos of my skin along the way). I’ve been thrilled with the results. We are hearing positive feedback from our customers as well.

Where are H2O+ products sold?

You can find H2O+ on our website and on Amazon Luxury.

Developed with skincare experts in Japan, the H2O+Hydration Sensitive system helps optimize hydration levels, while soothing and protecting skin from irritations to help it look and feel healthy.

Who inspires you?

Cindy Melk, the founder of H2O+. She founded the company in the 1980s, when she really had to fight for and create from scratch what she believed was breakthrough and fun for women’s skin care. She loved art and brought new and bold ideas to the industry. Fearless about being unique and passionate about celebrating women, we take on her founding spirit and her approachable personality as we build the next generation of H2O+.

Secret to success?

It is setting clear goals for yourself. I like to set goals that scare me and most certainly goals that challenge me. I write those goals down and I tell people about them so that I’m committed to making my goals come true. When I was working abroad at Jurlique, I set a goal for myself to become a CEO in my forties and worked hard to achieve that goal. 

I also think it’s important to thank all the people who have helped along the way. You don’t get anywhere by yourself. There are always people along the path that help support your career. I try to be thankful for all of those people who made me stronger.

Beauty secrets?

Occasionally, you have to put your skin on a skin diet. What I mean by this is that every day I make sure to feel my skin with my hands to see if I notice anything different. If I feel my skin is rough or if there’s any irritation, I’ll only use my essence and a small amount of moisturizer to allow my skin to recover its natural balance.

Wellness tips?

I think about wellness holistically. I like to take care of the inside of my body as much as the outside. I do things that make me feel comfortable, are sustainable, and make me feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have coaches who support my path as the leader of a company. I also like to exercise to balance myself. I think taking an active role in growing your mind as well as taking good care of your body is so important.

Best advice?

My father was the CEO of a bank. It’s never easy to be a CEO, but he worked hard to be fair and to treat everyone equally. The advice he gave me that I try to live up to is, “Be fair, be hands on, and be a team player.”

Favorite way to relax?

I relax by going for a long walk—it helps me to clear my mind and reminds me to notice the small, but important things in life. In Japan, I love going to an Onsen (a Japanese hot spring). It’s truly the most relaxing thing I can think of doing.

For more information and to purchase H2O+ products, visit h2oplus.com and follow them on Instagram: @h2oplus

[Images courtesy of H2O+]

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