From Scientist To Entrepreneur: Meet BAO Laboratory’s Founder Julia Bao (Win!)

If you’ve ever looked at your skin-care labels and got spooked by the long, complicated list of ingredients, you’re not alone. Toronto-based chemist and BAO Laboratory founder Julia Bao once felt discouraged by the harsh skin-care products on the market until she took matters into her own hands. Turning her scientific background into a successful skin-care brand, Julia’s motivation was to use a science-based approach to develop high-quality, natural products designed to help people across the globe by enhancing their skin’s health. Read below for an exclusive Q&A with Julia! —Vita Daily

When did you first think of creating your own skin-care line?

I thought about creating my own skin-care line in late 2016 when I was writing my Ph.D. thesis.

What made you take the big leap from being a chemist to a skin-care entrepreneur?

I was trying a lot of different skin-care products on myself every day and I developed a very bad rash all over my body because of it. I realized most of the skin-care products I was using at the time contained harsh ingredients that didn’t benefit my skin. At that moment I knew I had to do something to fix this problem, so I began researching and developing all-natural, science-based formulas that would be gentle, but effective.

What makes your skin-care products unique?

BAO Laboratory offers high-quality products that are made using only 100 per cent natural ingredients. All BAO products are made up of pure essential oils, wild and organic herbs, and natural vegetable oils, without using any harmful preservatives and additives. BAO Laboratory’s expertise is deeply connected to the brands’ strong belief that beauty originates from naturally healthy skin.

How do you define success in your business?

To me, having a successful business is being able to help my customers solve their skin problems.

What are a few brands that you look up to and why?

A brand that I look up to is Johnson Johnson. This is a perfect example of how a personal care brand was able to transform into a health-care/pharma giant.

Where would you love to see BAO on the shelf one day?

I’d love to see BAO in the Beauty Boutique section of Shoppers Drugmart one day as it would make BAO easily accessible to everyone.

What do you want BAO Laboratory to look like in the next five years?

The essence of BAO Laboratory is to bring a new type of formulation, which focuses on health rather than being just a beauty brand. We are 100 per cent committed and serious about solving problems for our customers. We want to see people recognize us by not only our branding but by our concept of small molecule formulation. Our products can provide a solution to every customer, no matter what skin problems they might be experiencing, so our goal is to see at least one of our products in every household.

baolaboratory.com

Win! A $200 BAO Laboratory Prize Pack!

Congrats Jennifer B. of North Gower, ON, who will receive all a BAO Laboratory prize pack, including  Endymion’s Luminous C Set ($124) and PROB5HA Full Spec Quenching Serum ($77)! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.