When Carolina Lopez was 10, she and her sister fled Colombia on the floor of a taxi with their mother in the trunk to escape guerrilla warfare and violence. Her mother stayed behind for five years, risking her life to provide for her daughters who moved to the U.S. in search of a better future.
Despite the distance, the family stayed connected, bonding daily through their skin care routines and meaningful phone conversations. Skin care became Lopez’s sanctuary, but chemical-filled products caused severe rashes and irritation, turning it into a source of pain. She knew she wasn’t alone in this struggle, so she went on a mission to find a solution.
Her journey led her back to Colombia on a trip to the Amazon with her cousin. It was there she learned about a unique ingredient, and with her background in chemical and material science engineering, she used her expertise to develop and formulate skin care products that bridge the gap between sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation.
Question: You have a background in chemical engineering. How does that help you develop your products?
Answer: With my background in chemical and materials science engineering, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how ingredients and materials work together to create innovative skincare solutions. Chemical engineering equipped me to analyze ingredient interactions, ensuring they are safe and effective. At BEJOU, we tackled the challenge of formulating for sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation—two concerns that often conflict. Products for hyperpigmentation are typically too harsh for sensitive skin, while gentler formulations rarely address pigmentation effectively.
Question: What led up to your decision to create the BEJOU brand and become an entrepreneur?
Answer: I never thought I would become an entrepreneur until I found myself on the path to creating BEJOU. My journey began with my own battle with sensitivity. Skincare products that were supposed to help caused severe rashes, hives, and irritation. My struggle became deeply personal as I dealt with three chronic conditions: asthma, allergies and sensitive skin. Realizing I wasn’t alone sparked my mission to find a solution.
A turning point came during an unplanned trip to the Amazon with my cousin. There, I was introduced to Chontaduro, a fruit used by local tribes in their rituals. Initially hesitant to try it because of my sensitive skin, I was amazed by its soothing properties—even alleviating mosquito bites. Intrigued, I brought this discovery back to my lab to explore its potential.
At the time, I was working in the tech industry, and BEJOU was a passion project I pursued evenings and weekends.
Question: For retailers interested in carrying your products, please explain what makes them unique.
Answer: BEJOU is a science-driven skin care brand for sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation, combining safe ingredients, advanced formulations and sustainable design. Chontaduro, known as First Nature’s retinol from Latin America, is a key component. Native to Colombia, this fruit is rich in vitamins C and A, acting as an antioxidant to brighten skin, reduce inflammation and promote a healthy skin barrier. Each product offers seven benefits in one from brightening, reducing dark spots, protecting from blue light and environmental damage, hydrating, supporting microbiome health and promoting age-defying effects.
BEJOU prioritizes sustainability with refillable or compostable packaging and a luxurious unboxing experience designed to open like a blooming flower. Our products are organic, hypoallergenic, vegan, made for sensitive skin, gluten free, dermatologist-approved, women-owned and BIPOC-led, ensuring everyone can enjoy effective skin care without compromising their health or the planet.
Question: Please provide tips for retailers for discussing the brand with customers and the product selling points.
Answer: When introducing BEJOU to customers, focus on its ability to address sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation effectively and safely—two concerns rarely addressed together in traditional skincare. Highlight that many products targeting hyperpigmentation (dark spots, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles) can irritate sensitive skin, but BEJOU bridges this gap with its gentle yet effective formulations.
Highlight Chontaduro, a fruit native to Colombia and the first Latin American natural retinol, which is central to BEJOU’s effectiveness. Explain how it brightens skin, reduces dark spots, protects against blue light and environmental damage, and minimizes fine lines while promoting a healthy skin barrier. Mention BEJOU’s proprietary Latin American Complex, which amplifies its ability to deliver seven benefits in one while celebrating South American culture.
Share BEJOU’s certifications, including organic, vegan, hypoallergenic, gluten free, dermatologist-approved and safe for sensitive skin. Highlight its suitability for various skin types, such as normal, combination, dry, oily and blemish-prone skin. Additionally, showcase BEJOU’s sustainable and its luxurious unboxing experience that opens like a blooming flower, combining elegance with mindfulness.
