Jeanficial, a Seoul-based skincare solution provider launched in 2019, has recently rebranded itself as Pharmearth to mark a new phase in its growth.

Since launching its distribution platform in 2021, its holistic approach to skincare — spanning cosmetic branding, consulting, and marketing — has set it apart from traditional providers, fueling steady financial growth and surpassing 40 billion won ($27.4 million) in domestic sales last year.

“Our focus has always been on addressing the root causes of skin concerns,” said Jang Yoon-sung, CEO of Pharmearth, during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. “Lately, we have seen an increase in cases where excessive use of products has led to unhealthy skin. To bring about meaningful change, we needed to move beyond the traditional distribution model and explore new possibilities.”

The new name reflects its aim to make the world "a more beautiful and healthier place" through aesthetic technology based on dermatology. Pharmearth continues to offer skin care coaching designed to help customers discover the products best suited to their individual needs.

Before establishing Pharmearth, Jang worked in the cosmetics distribution industry, supplying products to aestheticians and dermatology clinics. Over time, he observed an imbalance in the market: While demand remained relatively fixed, the number of suppliers continued to grow, putting downward pressure on the perceived value of products. Despite skepticism from others in the industry, Jang was convinced that the existing system was unsustainable.

Rather than following the standard path, he decided to build a platform that would give store owners more control over their businesses.

In Korea, where there are around 30,000 registered aesthetic shops alongside 7,000 to 8,000 cosmetics companies competing for market share, he believed that equipping store owners with the right knowledge and resources would help them manage their businesses more effectively.

“This approach would allow the headquarters to continue growing while providing store owners with an additional revenue stream In turn, consumers can benefit from a skincare program carefully coached by experts," Jang said.

One challenge he identified early on was that many aesthetic store owners, despite their expertise, lacked the effective sales skills.

“We realized that for our products to truly benefit customers, those selling them needed a deep understanding of how they work,” Jang said.

To address this issue, Jang devoted 18 months to intensive training. He believed it was a strong advantage when the people selling the product not only understood it thoroughly but had also experienced it firsthand and were convinced of its effectiveness. Up to now, the company has certified nearly 5,000 “masters,” a significant increase from fewer than 200 in the program’s early days.

He noted that while the headquarters provides extensive training, salespeople often retain only about half of the information, with even less reaching their partners. By creating product experts, Pharmearth has developed a model where these masters learn how to tailor their coaching to maximize benefits for each customer.

“There would've been difficulties in overcoming the fear of stepping out of one's comfort zone,” said Jang. “That is why we strive to be a company that lives up to the trust our masters place in us. We will continue working hard to make that trust worthwhile.”

Jang attributes Pharmearth’s growth to the performance of these masters, the effectiveness of the products and a collaborative system that benefits both the headquarters and its partners. "Such horizontal structure avoids the pitfalls of a strict top-down hierarchy, ultimately ensuring that increased sales benefit everyone involved."

With K-beauty gaining popularity worldwide, numerous Korean cosmetic brands have turned their focus toward global expansion, driving significant sales in overseas markets. However, Pharmearth has primarily concentrated on the domestic market due to the high unit cost of its products.

"Many K-cosmetics are positioned at the mid-to-low end of the market because associated costs often force brands to compromise on quality. So we remain cautious about exporting since Pharmearth’s products do not allow for any compromise on price."

Following strong performance in 2024, Pharmearth now aims to reach a milestone of 100 billion won in sales and to certify 10,000 masters by the end of this year. To achieve these goals, the company plans to expand its support for numerous partners on the ground.

In addition to its current skincare business, Pharmearth is preparing to launch a line of health-functional foods later this year, based on research into ingredients that promote skin health. The company is also exploring ways to commercialize these products further.

Moreover, Pharmearth is eyeing the scalp care market — a sector long dominated by foreign companies. The company is moving forward with research and development of new products in this area.

Alongside the company’s growth, Jang has developed a strong commitment to social contributions.

“I started this company with personal goals in mind -- expanding into new markets, reaching more customers and driving growth. But as we have expanded, I have come to appreciate the deeper impact of our work,” Jang said.

In collaboration with the certified masters, the CEO has participated in various community outreach efforts -- including volunteering in Yeongdeungpo-gu for a cluster of shanty houses known as “jjokbangchon.” He also provides scholarships for young people preparing to live independently, while supporting young and emerging artists.

Jang sees these initiatives as a meaningful way to show gratitude to those who have supported the company and hopes they will continue making a positive difference in the years to come.