How Proven Skincare Became a Beauty Game-Changer (And Thrived Without Shark Tank)
Imagine a world where your skincare is as unique as your fingerprint—no more guessing which creams or serums work. This is the power of AI-driven beauty, and Proven Skincare is leading the charge. Let’s dive into this innovative brand’s story, its Shark Tank journey, and how it’s transforming skincare with science and smarts.
The Problem: Two Women, One Frustration
Ming Zhao, a Harvard MBA and private equity pro, struggled with her skin for years. She tried every product imaginable, but nothing worked. Meanwhile, across the country, Stanford tech genius Amy Yuan (with a PhD in computational physics) faced similar struggles. Her solution? Building a groundbreaking AI platform—the Skin Genome Project—to crack the code of perfect skincare.
When Ming and Amy met, they combined their skills to launch Proven Skincare in 2018. Ming became CEO, Amy the CTO, and their mission was clear: use AI to create personalized skincare that actually works.
The Secret Sauce: The Skin Genome Project
Think of this as the “Google of Skincare.” Proven’s AI system analyzes:
4,000+ scientific studies
20,000 ingredients (like hyaluronic acid or retinol)
100,000+ products and 8 million customer reviews (with fraud detection to weed out fakes)
Even your local UV index, water hardness, and humidity based on your ZIP code!
In 2018, this tech won MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Award. Users take a quick 3-minute quiz sharing 47 factors about their skin, lifestyle, and environment. The AI then crafts 3 custom products:
Cleanser: Detoxifies + balances skin (no need for toner or exfoliator!).
Daily Moisturizer: SPF protection + shields against pollution and blue light from screens.
Night Cream: Repairs and plumps skin overnight.
All products are made in FDA-approved U.S. labs, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals.
Shark Tank Drama: A “No” That Led to Yes
In 2020, Ming pitched Proven on Shark Tank (Season 11, Episode 21), asking for **500,000for5500,000for510 million). She highlighted a 3.5milliondeal∗∗tolicensetheirAIforbabycareand∗∗3.5milliondeal∗∗tolicensetheirAIforbabycareand∗∗110,000 in sales over two months. But the Sharks balked:
- High ad costs: $90,000 spent on Facebook ads.
- “Too early” for investment, said some.
- Valuation doubts: “Overpriced,” argued others.
Ming left without a deal—but this wasn’t the end.
Proven’s Comeback: From Rejection to $24 Million Success
Proven Skincare didn’t just survive; it thrived. Here’s how:
- Revenue rocket: 10million(2020)→20 million (2021) → $24 million (2023).
- Global expansion: Launched in Canada, the UK, and plans for China, Brazil, and Russia.
- Retail breakthrough: Hit Sephora shelves in 2023—a major milestone.
- Awards galore: Named a Allure 2019 “Best Innovation,” Cosmopolitan’s 2023 Holy Grail winner, and Glossy’s 2022 “Best Tech.”
They even let fans invest via a mini-IPO (Reg A+) in 2021 and starred in the docuseries Going Public.
Why Proven Skincare Works
- Tech meets tradition: AI + dermatologist expertise = personalized formulas.
- Transparency: No fake reviews, no harmful ingredients.
- Customer love: Over 37,000 5-star reviews praise its effectiveness.
Final Takeaway
Proven Skincare proves that innovation beats instant approval. While Shark Tank passed, customers didn’t—turning this AI-powered brand into a beauty empire. Want to try it? Take their quiz at ProvenSkincare.com and join the skincare revolution.
