Brand Story
Round Lab: Korean ingredients, minimalist formulas, and a toner with a story
South Korea · Since 2017 · 4 min read
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream · Image: Round Lab (roundlab.com)
A few ingredients, but good ones. And Korean origins in every formula. This is how the brand behind the famous 1025 Dokdo Toner was born.
In summary · Quick facts
01 · Origins
How it began
Round Lab began development in 2016 and launched in 2017 with a single product: the 1025 Dokdo Toner. Behind the brand are Lee Young-hak and Jung Seo-rin, who from the beginning asked themselves what values they wanted to convey as the brand grew.
The 1025 Dokdo line, inspired by the islands off Korea's easternmost tip · Image: Round Lab (roundlab.com)
Their answer was to use something as everyday as a skincare product to promote an important symbol for Korea.
02 · The first product
The first product: 1025 Dokdo Toner
The toner's name has a special meaning: Dokdo is a group of small islands off Korea's easternmost tip, and "1025" refers to October 25, Dokdo Day in Korea.
1025 Dokdo Toner · Image: Round Lab (roundlab.com)
It was a clear toner, free of color and fragrance, in a transparent bottle—something unusual at the time. It was also designed with the planet in mind: a 100% PET bottle that is easy to recycle, a label that is easy to separate, and printing with soy ink.
03 · Philosophy
Round Lab Philosophy
Round Lab is committed to using fewer, but better ingredients. Its identity is to create skincare with natural, clean ingredients that are good for the skin and the planet.
Each line is based on an ingredient from a specific region in Korea:
This is how beloved products like the Birch Juice Sun Cream were born.
04 · Round Lab at Lococo
Why do we stock it at Lococo?
Round Lab is perfect if you like simple routines and gentle formulas. Its birch sun cream is one of the most sought-after products in our store.
1025 Dokdo Toner 500mlView product →
Birch Juice Sun Cream 50mlView product →
1025 Dokdo Cream 80mlView product →
1025 Dokdo Cleanser 150mlView product →
Lococo Tip: Use the 1025 Dokdo Toner on a cotton pad in the morning to gently remove impurities, and apply it with your hands at night to hydrate.
Sources
- CJ Newsroom (18/04/2024) – Interview with Lee Young-hak, CEO of Round Lab
- Round Lab – Our Story (official website)
Images: © Round Lab, from roundlab.com, used for informational purposes. Product photos at Lococo: © Lococo K-beauty Store.
