Jun Sasai

Background

About Jun Sasai

For over a decade, I have spearheaded R&D initiatives in the cosmetics industry, driven by a relentless passion for innovation. My career began with 13 years in the glass industry, but it was my transition to cosmetics that truly ignited my creative spirit. Drawing inspiration from cutting-edge technologies across electronics, optics, biomedical sciences, and materials engineering, I have redefined beauty through strategic collaborations. One of my most notable achievements is the establishment of the NIMS-L'Oreal Materials Innovation Center for Science and Beauty in 2018, a pioneering collaboration between L'Oreal and National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). This initiative marked the first-ever Center of Excellence partnership between a foreign cosmetics giant and NIMS, blending French elegance with Japanese precision to revolutionize the cosmetics industry. Throughout my journey, I have led over ten innovative projects, fostering partnerships with Japanese academia, SMEs, and start-ups. These collaborations have resulted in groundbreaking products, such as a novel sunscreen concept and a shape-memory styling product that defies humidity-induced frizz. My work has elevated L'Oreal's presence in Japanese academia, transforming the company into a catalyst for curiosity and interdisciplinary dialogue. My core strengths lie in strategic collaboration, cross-disciplinary innovation, and the ability to bridge diverse fields to create transformative products. As an R&D leader, I continue to chase the next breakthrough, driven by the thrill of shaping the future of beauty through the alchemy of collaboration.