As the saying goes, it takes two. Batman and Robin. Bonnie and Clyde. Sherlock and Watson. Iconic duos thrive on balance, and for siblings Nicholas and Karen Chow, co-founders of Hong Kong luxury skincare brand TiN5, their partnership strikes the perfect harmony of creativity and expertise. “We balance each other out perfectly, like yin and yang,” Nicholas explains. “I have a background in luxury brand management, and I’m a bit of a dreamer — I love telling stories and sharing our brand’s values with the world.” Every dreamer needs a builder, and Karen is the architect of her brother’s vision as the R&D lead and formulating scientist at TiN5. “Holding a dual degree in Fashion Design and Cosmetic Science, I’m passionate about enhancing beauty from the inside out. I enjoy researching and analysing people’s skin health needs, and I’m driven to create solutions that address specific problems,” she says. Together, their complementary strengths have transformed a family-driven passion project into a rising brand to watch in luxury skincare.
TiN5 is rooted in love as much as it is backed by science. The journey began in 1995 when Nicholas’ father, a doctor with a chemistry background, created skincare solutions to address his wife’s pregnancy-related skin disorders. This family dedication to skin health laid the foundation for TiN5. Designed to combat the effects of light pollution, humidity, and environmental stressors, TiN5’s advanced Cellura™ biomimetic formulations incorporate patented nanotechnology, growth factors, peptides, and a unique golden molar lipid ratio to deeply hydrate, repair, and restore the skin’s natural barrier.
Even the name TiN5 reflects their family’s story. In Chinese, tin (天) means “days,” symbolising the transformation their products deliver in just five days. But it also holds a more profound meaning: all five Chow siblings share the Chinese character tin (天) in their names. As much as TiN5 is a reminder of their unbreakable bond, it reflects the sibling duo’s connections with those they cross paths with. “Each product we develop is a manifestation of our personal encounters and the individuals who have influenced us along the way, serving as our sources of inspiration,” Karen shares. “We offer customised services and consultations as we want our community to feel like they’re growing with us — because TiN5 is as much theirs as it is ours.”
This commitment to family values recently earned TiN5 an exclusive partnership with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club to celebrate the iconic brand’s 120th anniversary and the launch of the Spectre, its first electric vehicle. “Rolls-Royce represents craftsmanship, luxury, and timelessness—all values we share at TiN5,” says Nicholas. To mark the occasion, the siblings have created a series of hand creams and bespoke treatments, designed to deliver the same level of refinement and precision that defines their skincare philosophy.
“In five years, we see TiN5 becoming more than just a skincare brand — it’s a lifestyle,” Nicholas shares, a fire in his belly. “We want to expand into body care, hair care, scents, and even internal wellness products, blending modern science with the holistic practices of traditional Chinese medicine. It’s all about creating sustainable beauty and health solutions that support our customers from the inside out.” Karen adds, unveiling exciting developments on the horizon: “And this year, our flagship store will be opening to offer treatments and skin health consultations — stay tuned!”
The Cellura™ biomimetic formulations are a key part of TiN5. Could you explain how it works and what makes it stand out from other skincare technologies?
Karen: The Cellura™ biomimetic formulations leverage the principles of biomimicry and nanobiotechnology. These formulations contain nano-sized structures that mimic the natural components of the skin’s extracellular matrix and lipid barrier. By mimicking the skin’s lipid barrier structure, our solution can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, enabling optimal absorption and efficacy of the active ingredients.
Taking The Concentrate as an example, it is designed to promote impaired skin recovery through epigenetic pathways. Instead of solely delivering topical actives on the surface, it works by stimulating the skin’s inherent ability to repair and regenerate itself from within. This approach ultimately improves the thickness of the stratum corneum, strengthens the protective barrier, and accelerates the recovery speed. It aims to provide comprehensive and long-lasting benefits for overall skin health and rejuvenation.
Nicholas: Where you get a youthful and healthy-looking complexion! In simpler terms, The Cellura™ biomimetic formulations are designed to be similar to our natural skin, for optimal absorption and performance. It helps your skin become more resilient, especially in urban environments, by repairing damage and shielding against pollution and other environmental stressors. The goal is to leave skin not just looking better, but functioning better too.
What considerations go into selecting the patented ingredients, peptides, and other components used in your products?
Nicholas: Every ingredient we use is chosen with one goal in mind: to “city-proof” your skin. We focus on what’s truly effective for the purpose we’re solving, not what’s trendy at the time. It’s about creating products that deliver results, not just making something that looks good on a shelf.
Karen: In formulating our products, we emphasise synergy and compatibility. Rather than relying on a single high-percentage ingredient, we combine potent ingredients to achieve a multiplier effect. We also take great care to exclude allergens and irritating ingredients, making our products suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Sustainability is clearly important to TiN5. What inspired the Farm2Face 60-day freshness promise? How do you maintain this level of quality control, and what logistical challenges does it present?
Nicholas: The Farm2Face promise was born from our commitment to delivering skincare that is as fresh and effective as possible. With our vertically integrated business model, we’re fortunate to oversee every step of the process — from formulation to production — thanks to the solid foundations laid by our parents. This gives us complete control over quality and allows us to challenge traditional industry norms.
The 60-day freshness promise ensures that every product reaches your hands within 60 days of being produced, delivering optimal potency straight from Farm-to-Face. Of course, it comes with challenges — shorter shelf lives mean we can’t rely on bulk production like many brands do. But we see this as an opportunity to empower our customers to prioritise fresh, high-quality skincare that truly makes a difference for their skin.
Take us through your personal skincare routine!
Nicholas: I pretty much just do whatever Karen tells me to! My routine starts with the Enzyme Wash to gently cleanse, then I use the Activator as a toner. In the morning, I apply The Concentrate for hydration, and at night, I switch to the Youth Booster. I also use a face oil that Karen made just for me — it’s one of my favourite steps. During the day, I finish with HydraGel, and at night, I use the Essential Cream.
What’s one skincare myth you’d love to debunk forever?
Nicholas: One myth I’d love to debunk is that layering lots of products will give you better skin. It won’t! What really matters is using a few well-formulated products that your skin can actually absorb. Overloading your skin can clog pores and do more harm than good. Less really is more when it comes to skincare.
Karen: “Only teenagers get pimples!” Well, acne can affect anyone, at any age. And if you’re experiencing breakouts as an adult, don’t panic! Instead, take the time to understand what might be causing them — is it stress, poor sleep, diet, or hormonal changes? By identifying the root cause, you can take control of your skin and find the right treatment.
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TiN5’s partnership with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club is a remarkable achievement. What does this collaboration mean for the brand?
Nicholas: This partnership is such an exciting milestone for us. Rolls-Royce represents craftsmanship, luxury, and timelessness — all values that we share at TiN5. Being recognised by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club is a huge honour, and it’s a chance for us to connect with a global audience who appreciate the same dedication to quality that we put into every product.
What can we expect from TiN5’s involvement in the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club’s celebratory events?
Nicholas: Karen and I are currently in London to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Rolls-Royce — an incredible milestone. We’re excited to be part of such a prestigious event and have some exciting plans in the works. Stay tuned for more details soon!
Are there any special collaborations, limited-edition products, or bespoke offerings planned for this partnership?
Nicholas: We’re launching a special series of hand creams designed exclusively for the celebrations. We’re also introducing bespoke treatments for RREC members at our upcoming TiN5 Skin Clinic. It’s all about creating tailored, luxurious experiences that reflect the spirit of this partnership.
If TiN5 were to create a skincare product inspired by a Rolls-Royce car, what would it be called, and what unique features would it have?
Nicholas: Instead of one product, I’d imagine creating a bespoke skincare routine inspired by the luxury and precision of Rolls-Royce. It would be tailored to each person’s unique skin concerns, just like a Rolls-Royce is built to reflect its owner. I’d call the service Spectacular, because glowing, healthy skin is the ultimate confidence booster and a mark of true luxury.
Karen: I would create a product that embodies the essence of a Rolls-Royce — timeless, prestigious, and precision-engineered. Inspired by the Spectre electric car, I would design a firming treatment that recharges and revitalises the skin through advanced “sculpting” technology, leveraging premium ingredients for instant and long-lasting results, and a more defined, youthful appearance, echoing the Spectre’s sleek lines.
Editor
Kaitlyn Lai
