What is your name?
Dr. Soo-Young Kang
What is your title?
Founder and CEO of LightWater Skin
What is your business name?
LightWater Skin
What is your website URL?
www.lightwaterskin.com
What is your Instagram handle?
@lightwaterskin
What is your LinkedIn URL?
linkedin.com/company/lightwaterskin
How long have you been a Boston Business Women member?
A few weeks – just signed up and excited to connect with other amazing women in business.
Where are you based? How did you end up there?
Burlington, MA – chosen for its strong business infrastructure, restaurants, shops, and community amenities.
Tell us more about your company! What do you do and what pushed you to start?
LightWater Skin is a revolutionary skincare brand designed by Harvard dermatologists and skin scientists. Our mission is to provide clean, highly effective skincare with real results—no preservatives, fragrances, or irritants. The idea came when I realized many cosmetic products lose potency over time and are filled with preservatives. I teamed up with Drs. Rox Anderson and Fernanda Sakamoto to create fresh, nutrient-dense formulas that are safe, effective, and sustainable.
What was one of your biggest challenges in business?
Formulating preservative-free skincare was a huge challenge. Overcoming skepticism in the industry and establishing our own manufacturing processes above standard industry levels required persistence and innovation.
Tell us about your most proud moment in your career.
The proudest moment was deciding to pursue my life-long passion in skincare and becoming my own boss, staying patient and working hard even when the pandemic delayed our launch.
Who is the woman behind your business? What does she like? How does she spend her free time? What does she value?
I’m a mother of two, passionate about spending quality time with family. I love cooking for my children, attending opera performances with my husband, and finding inspiration in classical music. I value balance, creativity, and pursuing excellence while maintaining personal connections.
What makes you stand out from others in your field? What do you do differently?
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Sourcing: Rigorous screening to eliminate ingredients with preservatives.
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Proprietary processing: Pharma-level processes exceeding CGMP standards.
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Proprietary formulation: Patent-pending preservative-free formulations safe for sensitive skin.
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Flexible packaging: Single-dose delivery for maximum potency, hygiene, and eco-friendliness.
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Sustainability: 75% less packaging, fully recyclable or compostable, vegan and cruelty-free.
Where can we keep up with you? What social media platforms do you use the most?
Primarily Instagram: @sooyoungkang_ and @lightwaterskin