Remsen is named after a street in Brooklyn Heights, where my partner and I once lived in a classically tiny New York apartment with a bathroom counter barely big enough for the essentials. It was there that the search began: trying to find products that could work for both of us. His skin was acne-prone, mine was sensitive and rosacea-prone, and most formulas only seemed to make things worse.

We were also starting to notice the first subtle changes in our skin that we wanted to get ahead of. Harsh actives and formulas designed to “beat skin into submission” only made things worse, weakening our skin barriers instead of supporting them. I wanted something different: skincare that could smooth the curve of change — not fight against it, but make it gentler, more graceful and easier to live with.

At the same time, so much of skincare felt gimmicky, overcomplicated, or rooted in overconsumption. Despite being from Seoul, the 10-step Korean skincare routine in the American imagination never really resonated with me. Products often felt unnecessarily gendered, while the ones that weren’t felt sterile and soulless. I didn’t want to compromise. I wanted formulas that were simple but effective, gentle but powerful, with packaging that was both functional and beautiful.

Remsen is a deeply personal project. Every detail reflects its roots in both New York and Korea — from the embossed arch window on the packaging inspired by Brooklyn brownstones, to the logo that echoes Korean Hangeul like a hand-carved stamp.

My hope is that Remsen becomes a part of your daily routine — something simple, grounding, and nourishing that you look forward to. That it gives you back a little space, on your counter and in your day, for care that feels intentional and yours.

Thank you for being here and for being part of this journey with me!

— Siena