Winona: A Journey of Dermatological Skincare Around the World

SINGAPORE,July 18,2023 -- Winona,a dermatological skincare brand focused on sensitive skin,along with its parent company Botanee,showcased at the 25th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) on July 3,2023.

The World Congress of Dermatology,with a 134-year history,is organized by the International League of Dermatological Societies,the only professional association recognized by the World Health Organization. It is held every four years and represents the highest level and directions of development of the world's dermatology research.

It's the third time for Winona to participate in this world-renowned dermatology event since 2015,where it showcased the technological strength and R&D capabilities of Chinese skincare brands,and demonstrated the upward momentum of Chinese brands to the world.

Conveying China's Voice to the World

This year's conference focused on the theme of "Dermatology Beyond Borders" and brought together world-renowned dermatologists and skincare brands to explore the skin problems of people around the world and provide advanced and healthy solutions.

At this year's WCD,Professor Philippe Humbert,Director of the Skin Research Center at the University of Franche-Comté in France,announced the latest international clinical observation results of Winona's products. He once again affirmed the effectiveness of two Winona products,including "Winona Soothing Moisturizing Cream". He also stated that the mild plant-based ingredients in Winona products suitable for sensitive skin highlights one of the brand's unique features."

Winona has long been committed to skin basic research and closely collaborates with domestic and foreign dermatology experts to conduct basic research and clinical practices,accumulating a large amount of academic resources and clinical data.

This year,while vigorously advancing in the Chinese skincare market,Winona is also making great strides on the international stage. During the World Congress of Dermatology,Winona's parent company Botanee,together with more than 100 domestic and international dermatology authorities,launched an international summit on skin health,exploring the mechanism of sensitive skin occurrence and precise protection research. They exchanged and shared cutting-edge international concepts and the latest practical achievements in sensitive skin precision prevention and treatment.

During the WCD,as Vice Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Skin Barrier Research Association and Executive Director of the Department of Dermatology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,Professor Li He shared a major breakthrough in the mechanism and precise intervention of melasma by her team. From the perspective of the mechanism,the treatment of melasma needs not only to inhibit the synthesis of pigments but also to reduce the inflammatory response,to decrease blood vessel proliferation and dilation,to repair the skin barrier and to prevent photoaging. Taking the above factors into consideration,the topical preparations for melasma treatment make up a four-in-one mechanism.

This four-in-one therapy for melasma has formed an consensus among experts and was published in the International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology in English for global release,serving as a leading international theory and gaining recognition from international dermatology experts."

At the "Cutting-edge Dialogue on Scientific Whitening and Lightening Spot" roundtable discussion at the Botanee International Skin Health Summit,internationally renowned dermatology experts highly praised the four-in-one whitening and spot reduction mechanism.

"I very much agree with Professor He's point that melasma is not just a pigment issue,but is also affected by the skin barrier,inflammation,microcirculation,and skin aging issues. Therefore,The four-in-one therapy that targeting the four major pathogenisis of melisma is a very good and forward-looking theory." Said Philippe Humbert,Director of the Skin Research Center at the University of Franche-Comté in France.

Winona's thrice appearance on the world stage represents the continuous advancement of Chinese brand research strength.

Starting from the sensitive skin of Chinese consumers,Winona focuses on continuous R&D to improve product efficacy.

As long as you focus on action,any niche market will imply unlimited potential. As the core brand of the Botanee Group,Winona was born in 2010 with a keen insight into the dermatological-level skincare segment,witnessing the development of the Chinese market for efficacy-based skincare products. According to data from the "2023 Online Consumer Trends Insight for Sensitive Skin Lotions/Face Creams," the sensitive skin market has grown from CNY 7.79 billion in 2016 to CNY 29 billion in 2022,with a compound annual growth rate of 164.57%.

"Only healthy skin is beautiful. It's not just about making skin look good,it's about making skin healthy. I will always stick to this path," said Dr. Guo Zhenyu,Chairman and CEO of the Botanee Group and founder of the Winona brand.

Winona has aimed to "solve common skin problems among Chinese people." Based on the huge market of 1.4 billion people,Winona has collaborated with authoritative dermatology experts to conduct extensive basic research and exploration on the causes and textures of sensitive skin in Chinese people,hoping to stimulate innovative development in the Chinese market for efficacy-based skincare products. To date,Winona brand owns totally 133 patents and has participated in the formulation of 15 expert guidelines and consensuses,led the development of 31 group standards for dermatology-level skincare products,and hosted the formulation of 11 product standards.

"Sensitive skin is our main focus,and of course,we also have a series of products targeting melasma and for whitening. We want to establish a benchmark for sensitivity,so that when consumers think of sensitive skin,they will think of Winona,and that's how we build our brand," said Dr. Guo Zhenyu.

To obtain a prominent position in the dermatology-level skincare market,it is essential to have a solid foundation for product quality. The Botanee Group,Winona's parent company,has a robust research and development team of over 390 professionals,employing an evidence-based medicine approach to enhance product development capabilities. In addition,Winona's product line has undergone clinical research and efficacy observation in 63 renowned hospitals and research institutions in China and France. Through its commitment to plant technology and industry-academia-research-medical practices,Winona has earned the trust of consumers with sensitive skin and delivered valuable products to meet their needs.

To become bigger and stronger,and to be a long-term explorerin the dermatology-level skincare field

When talking about the group's strategic vision for 2025,Dr. Guo Zhenyu painted a beautiful picture of the future - to build a Chinese skin health ecosystem belonging to the Botanee Group. This ecosystem includes three tracks: the main track in the middle is for efficacy-based skincare products,while the two sides are respectively focused on artificial intelligence-based dermatology diagnosis/treatment systems and medical beauty empowerment platforms."

Technological innovation is an inexhaustible driving force for the sustained development of a company. Winona has placed a high value on the research and application of digital technology since its inception. The investment in digital technology includes not only research into artificial intelligence,big data and the Internet of Things but also the development and application of cutting-edge technologies such as digital medical technology and gene testing.

In the future,Winona hopes to collaborate with more research institutions and universities worldwide to conduct interdisciplinary research and development and to further enhance its R&D capability as well as product competency. By leading and driving industry development,Winona aims to bring greater value to consumers.