Unveiling the Future of Clean Beauty: 107's Inspiring Story

Have you noticed a shift in the beauty world? It's not just about what a product does anymore, but how it's made. We're all seeking beauty that's not only effective but also kind—to our skin and our planet. That's the heart of sustainable beauty, and it's a movement that's here to stay.

More and more, we're choosing brands that reflect our values. We want to know the story behind the ingredients, the ethics of the company, and the impact they have on the environment. This conscious consumption is redefining what it means to be beautiful.

Enter 107. This innovative brand is capturing attention by seamlessly blending time-honored fermentation techniques with the principles of clean beauty. They're dedicated to unlocking the power of nature's beneficial ingredients, crafting formulas that nurture healthy, radiant skin.

We had the privilege of sitting down with the team at 107 to delve into their unique philosophy and their unwavering commitment to sustainable beauty. Join us as we uncover the compelling story behind 107 and discover how they're setting a new standard for clean, responsible beauty.

Q: Can you tell us the story behind 107 (pronounced: one-oh-seven) and what makes it unique?

A: 107 is a skincare brand based on fermented ingredients. Our core ingredient is natural fermented vinegar, which comes from the traditional vinegar brewery "Hanega." Hanega has passed down 107 secrets, and 107 is a brand that encapsulates this special formula.

Q: What inspired you to start this brand?

A: I moved back to Korea in my late 20s after studying in the US, and the transition was incredibly stressful. Within a year, I developed severe adult-onset eczema. My face was constantly cracked and irritated, and despite trying every treatment imaginable—steroids, folk remedies—nothing worked.

Then I met the CEO of Hanega, a traditional vinegar brewery, at a volunteer event. He gave me a bottle of their vinegar. Initially, I was skeptical, given my past disappointments. But when I visited again, I met his mother, who is in her 80s. Her skin was radiant, and as a former pharmacist, she insisted I try drinking and applying the vinegar.

Amazed by her glowing skin, I started drinking and applying the vinegar. To my surprise, my skin improved quickly. My gut health also saw a noticeable boost. After consistent use, my eczema completely cleared up. It was a life-changing experience that convinced me of the vinegar's incredible power, and I knew I had to share Hanega's traditional vinegar with the world

Q: What's the philosophy behind 107?

A: The main ingredient of Hanaega vinegar is ginkgo. While ginkgo trees lining city streets can absorb pollutants and heavy metals, making them unsuitable for food, Hanega's brewery boasts over 1,000 ginkgo trees thriving in pristine nature. Every autumn, they harvest the ginkgo, and once a year, on July 7th—the "minor heat" day in the lunar calendar, the hottest time of the year—they brew their vinegar. This harnesses the natural heat essential for fermentation which is essential for vinegar fermentation.

They meticulously manage every step, from harvesting to fermentation. This philosophy forms the foundation of the 107 brand. We carefully select each ingredient with the goal of creating products that are beneficial for the skin and body. In late 2020, we established our own research institute to study ingredient efficacy, secure patents, and ensure meticulous ingredient management. We are committed to continuous innovation and the development of even better beauty products.

Q: What were some of the key hurdles you faced when building the brand, and how did you overcome them?

A: The biggest challenges we’re facing are figuring out how to effectively deliver the vinegar's benefits to the skin while eliminating its strong scent. Fragrance is important in cosmetics, so creating a high-concentration formula that maximized efficacy while masking the vinegar's distinctive smell was incredibly tough.

As an art major, I lacked chemistry knowledge. Initially, I accepted products from an ODM company. But as I delved deeper, I realized many ingredients were potentially harmful. That's when we created our "prohibited ingredient list" and set higher clean beauty standards, differentiating ourselves from brands that simply claim to be "paraben-free."

Using limited ingredients often makes the formula smoother and more absorbent, but we insisted on using safe ingredients, which made product development take much longer. 

For example, it took seven years to develop the shampoo we have on the market today. Achieving user satisfaction with clean, safe ingredients was the most challenging aspect, but we're committed to creating the best possible products.

107 , committed to practicing clean beauty, operates its own research lab to develop better products by scientifically studying natural ingredients. The passion of dedicated researchers striving to find the optimal formula for healthy skin is at the heart of 107 's products.

Next, we will hear from one of the researchers to gain deeper insight into the product development process and the brand’s core values. Researcher, let’s begin! 

Q: What do you consider the most important factor when developing products?

A: For us, it always comes back to clean beauty. Especially after the pandemic, people are really focused on skin health and safe ingredients, and rightfully so. We're all about scientifically-backed clean and functional beauty. Our internal clean beauty standards are even stricter due to our CEO's severe experience with irritated skin. When we get ingredient information, we meticulously check it against our standards. Once we nail that perfect balance of safety, user experience, and performance, it's incredibly rewarding.

Secondly, we aim to create products with excellent efficacy. We meticulously check every ingredient. Take our vitamin C serum, for instance. We didn't just pick any vitamin C; we researched its origin, ran countless tests with the manufacturer, and even partnered with universities for in-depth studies. That dedication led to four patented ingredients!

Ultimately, it's all about synergy. Even the best ingredients are useless if they don't play well together. We're constantly thinking about how to create products that work harmoniously and how to communicate that to our customers. It's a lifelong pursuit! Because even a fantastic product needs a compelling story to truly connect.

Those three points— Safe beauty, efficacy, and synergy—that's the core of 107.

Q: Do you have any memorable stories from your product research?

A: I remember the time when we created our first product, the vitamin C serum. I personally handpicked every ingredient, which took a lot of time. Also, since it was the first product developed by our in-house research institute, it had a special meaning. We did volunteer testing within the company, tracking changes over a week. I even remember testing it in the shower, holding my arm up! All that care and attention makes it extra meaningful, and I hope our customers feel that when they use it.

Q: Is there anything you would like to say to slow recipe’s customers?

A: Clean beauty is everywhere now, but we went a step further to ensure all our customers can use our products comfortably and safely. We share Slow Recipe's commitment to sustainability. We want you to know we're on that journey with you. We want you to feel beautiful, confident, and know you're using products that truly care for your skin and the planet.

What happens when you combine the wisdom of traditional fermentation with the innovation of modern skincare? You get 107, a clean beauty brand that's capturing hearts. Their commitment to natural ingredients and boosting your skin's natural power perfectly aligns with Slow Recipe's dedication to curating only the best.

It's no wonder 107 is now a top pick at SlowRecipe.com!

Q: How did 107 and slow recipe connect?

A: It was a natural fit! At 107, we're all about the beauty of slow processes, especially with our naturally fermented vinegar. That aligns perfectly with Slow Recipe's "slow but essential" philosophy. Plus, sustainability is core to our brand. We're cruelty-free, and we use recycled materials for packaging whenever possible E with the exception of sensitive ingredients like retinol and vitamin C. As a brand that values sustainability, we were able to partner with Slow Recipe because we share similar values.

Q: What's been the highlight of working with slow recipe?

A: It’s been great to introduce our products to international customers through various content and influencer collaborations.

Q: Which 107 products are fan favorites on slow recipe?

A : Right now, our shampoo, cleanser, and Chaga Jelly are really popular!

Q: What makes slow recipe unique in your opinion?

A: We operate our own U.S. website, but in the early days, Slow Recipe was our main gateway to international markets, which was incredibly valuable. Since last year, we’ve started exporting to various countries, but even before that, consumers were able to discover our brand through Slow Recipe.

slow recipe is more than just a marketplace. They're about promoting a healthy, mindful lifestyle. Our goal is not just to sell products, but to offer consumers trustworthy ingredients and sustainable values.

Partnering with 107, a brand that blends traditional fermentation with modern skincare, was a perfect match. We offer effective, skin-friendly products that resonate with conscious consumers.

107 products are a long-term investment in skin health, embodying their "slow but certain" approach. Our partnership is built on mutual trust and a shared vision of healthy beauty. We're excited to continue working with brands that prioritize sustainability and authenticity, offering our customers choices they can feel good about.

Q: What's 107's vision for the future?

A: We aim to create beauty products that are both gentle and powerfully effective. We're constantly striving to develop formulas with clean ingredients that deliver real results – think intense hydration, wrinkle reduction, and brightening effects. Ultimately, we want to provide skincare that's safe and truly works.

Q: What kind of brand image would you like to convey?

A: Our brand is a "Fermentation Powerhouse", delivering healthy beauty through the powerful effects of natural fermentation. We develop products that are safe for the skin yet highly effective, encapsulating the pure and effective ingredients born from fermentation. We want to continue delivering a brand built on scientifically proven techniques and trustworthy ingredients.

Q: Any exciting new products or services on the horizon?

A: Yes! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our cooling shampoo in April 2025. I personally struggle with overheating, especially during the summer, and with longer hot seasons, I know many others do too.

This shampoo provides an instant cooling effect, keeping your scalp refreshed. When scalp temperature rises, sebum and dead skin cells increase, weakening hair roots and potentially leading to hair loss.

Inspired by the Korean and Japanese practice of keeping the body warm and the head cool in hot springs, we've developed a cooling shampoo that effectively lowers scalp heat, regulates sebum, and relieves stress. We're excited for Slow Recipe members to try it!

At Slow Recipe, we're seeing a real shift towards conscious beauty, and 107 is truly setting the standard. Their innovative blend of traditional fermentation and modern skincare science delivers effective, skin-loving products that perfectly align with the values our community holds dear.

We're incredibly proud of our partnership with 107. It's allowed us to introduce their remarkable products to a wider audience who, like us, appreciate carefully curated beauty. Together, we've showcased their best-selling items, solidifying their commitment to both quality and sustainability.

We're excited to see what the future holds for 107! They're dedicated to expanding their product lines and refining their formulas, all while staying true to their vision of skincare that builds confidence and cares for both your skin and our planet.

We're thrilled to continue this journey alongside 107, sharing their unique philosophy, meticulously crafted products, and unwavering dedication to clean beauty with you. Stay tuned for more exciting innovations from this exceptional brand!