What started as a personal quest for make-up with skin-care benefits led to Jennylyn Mercado's new business DLN Skin.
Under this beauty brand, she introduced DLN Skin Tint as its flagship product.
It's a lightweight skin tint which, she said, gives not just a natural finish but also takes good care of the skin.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Jennylyn revealed that this venture is three years in the making.
"Ang story lang nito ay meron akong isang hiyang na skin tint na ginagamit, pero ang hirap niyang bilihin. So ever since, bumibili talaga ako sa U.S.
"I have a very sensitive skin, and ang hirap lang ng maya't maya ka bibili. Pagkaubos, bili ka na ulit.
"Sabi ko, 'Bakit hindi na lang ako gumawa ng sarili kong skin tint na merong benefits? Lahat ng ingredients na gusto kong ilagay doon, puwede kong ilagay.'
"So, we went to Thailand para kumausap ng isang manufacturing company, and then doon nabuo yung Dylan Skin."
Developing the product was the most challenging part.
"Tatlong taon siya dahil ang hirap. Dahil pag magkakaroon kami ng samples, papadala nila sa Philippines. Tapos two weeks, sasabihin namin, 'Ay, kailangan namin mas ganito pa.' Ita-trial namin, for clinical testing.
"And then pagbalik doon, after three weeks pa lang ulit makakabalik yung bagong gawa nila."
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PEP interviewed Jennylyn at the launch of DLN Skin at The Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City.
DLN SKIN TINT'S ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Since skin care is something she's passionate about, Jennylyn knew what she wanted her product to be from the start.
"Itong Dylan Skin is a combination of make-up and skin care. Kaming mga artista, 24 hours naka-make-up, pero, di ba, meron siyang negative effect sa skin?
"Kumbaga, puwede ka magkaroon ng skin reactions, puwede kang magkaroon ng infection.
"So naisip ko, 'Bakit hindi natin pagsamahin? Dahil babad na babad ang make-up sa mukha, bakit hindi natin lagyan ng skin care?'
"So naisip namin yung lagyan ng SPF 50, PDRN, niacinamide, at marami pang iba. May witch hazel din siya."
Upon checking the box of DLN Skin Tint, it shows that it has eight active ingredients.
MC-PDRN stimulates collagen production, helps reduce fine lines, and improves skin texture.
Niacinamide is known for reducing dark spots, while witch hazel leaf water helps minimize pores.
This skin tint also has hyaluronic acid for hydration, vagestop for skin firmness, gosulin agave for skin comfort, and mimiskin for skin radiance.
The SPF 50 is for sun protection.
Talking about the benefits of her make-up product, Jennylyn explained: "Yung star product namin siyempre yung PDRN kasi yun ang napakaraming benefits.
"It regenerates your skin, [addresses] inflammation, [and] nakakatulong siya sa redness.
"Okay din siya for sensitive skin."
Jennylyn emphasized that she ensured the skin tint was clinically tested before its launch.
"Unang-una, importante yung safety ng products at ingredients na nilalagay ko doon sa mismong product kasi, siyempre, hindi lang para sa akin, para sa lahat ng tao.
"Face iyan, e. Hindi iyan basta-basta. Hindi ka puwedeng, 'Ay, naisip ko lang ito or gusto ko ilagay ito' or whatever. Hindi.
"Kailangan ma-test nang mabuti kasi that's face.
"Kapag nagkaroon ka ng infection or kapag nagkaroon ka ng irritation, ako yung sira. Ako yung magdadala ng lahat ng ito. So very careful kami pagdating sa ingredients."
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JENNYLYN MERCADO ON MANAGing HER BUSINESS
For her financial investment, Jennylyn admitted that it is a significant undertaking, especially that she's the sole owner of the business.
"Siyempre, hindi siya mura. Kasi, siyempre, yung quality nung skin care namin, hindi puwedeng tipirin. Medyo mahal lang siya, pero sulit naman.
"Mas maganda kasi, kung kaya mo na mag-isa ka, wag ka nang humanap ng partner.
"Kung capable ka na maglabas ng enough na pera, do it yourself. Maghanap ka na lang ng mga taong mapagkakatiwalaan mo and mga professionals para tumulong sa iyo."
As a businesswoman, is she the type who readily dives in and takes risks, or does she rely on careful planning before launching anything?
Jennylyn replied: "Lahat naman ng business risky, di ba? Wala namang business na sure tayo na bebenta agad yan.
"Importante lang binuhos mo lahat ng makakaya mo. Importante na yung quality, yung mga ginagamit mo, like sa Dylan, yung ingredients."
She also has mentors who guides her along the way.
"Importante din na mapagkakatiwalaan lahat ng mga tao sa paligid mo at yung mga taong part ng business mo.
"Kasi hindi naman ito mabubuo kung hindi ganoon katino at hindi enough yung knowledge ng mga tao na part ng business mo."
Even as a successful A-lister, Jennylyn keeps exploring business opportunities because of her family.
"Kasi itong mga ginagawa namin, para rin sa future ng mga bata," said Jennylyn, referring to her daughter Dylan and son Alex Jazz.
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JENNYLYN MERCADO ON BALANCING HER PRIORITIES
She's just grateful that she continues to grow as an entrepreneur and still be able to pursue her acting career.
"Sa ngayon, siyempre, pumasok ako sa isang business ulit and ine-expect ko na magiging magandang resulta.
"Siyempre kailangan positive tayo, di ba? Dahil ako naniniwala ako sa produkto at sana magustuhan din ng mga tao, maniwala rin sila.
"Masaya ang puso ko kung saan ako. Masayang-masaya ako dahil andiyan ang pamilya ko."
What's next for her as an actress?
She told PEP: "Hindi ko pa rin iiwan ang showbiz. Siyempre, andiyan pa rin ang mga offers.
"May taping pa rin ako, magsu-shooting pa rin ako. So, ano na lang, time management."