“KAO Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) yesterday announced the successful completion of the “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising their commitment to advancing public health through skincare education and research.
As part of this collaboration, KAO Malaysia, through its leading skincare brand Bioré, is contributing RM50,000 in funding across two flagship initiatives led by Universiti Malaya. The first is a community engagement programme titled “Beautiful Change Begins with Us”, will be managed by the Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) focusing on hygiene awareness, environmental sustainability, and positive mental wellness for teenagers, adults, and children. The second is a research collaboration for a project titled “Innovative Clean Skincare Formulations for Skin Protection and Healthy Living,” will be conducted by the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. These efforts are part of KAO Malaysia’s 1% pledge of Bioré product sales to support local skin health research.
“This partnership reflects KAO’s commitment to going beyond product innovation to create meaningful, science-driven impact in the communities we serve,” said Mr. Yamazaki Hirobumi, President of KAO Malaysia. “We believe that skin protection is not just a personal care choice, but a public health responsibility. Together with Universiti Malaya, we are proud to advance this vision for the benefit of all Malaysians.”
A Milestone Partnership Between Academia and Industry
The MoU represents KAO Malaysia’s first academic partnership with an educational institution in Malaysia. Under this collaboration, KAO and UM will continue bridging science and public awareness to shape skincare as a foundational pillar of community health.
Guided by the shared vision of “Skin Protection, Life Perfection”, the campaign brought together KAO’s commitment to skin protection with UM’s research leadership in a shared effort to drive long-term community impact. What began as a community-driven awareness campaign is now being extended through KAO’s funding support, enabling UM to strengthen its community engagement initiatives and advance research with enhanced equipment and resources for lasting benefits in skin health and wellness education. In line with the MoU, Universiti Malaya will lead new research initiatives and public education efforts focused on sustainable skincare.
“We are truly honoured to collaborate with KAO Malaysia in strengthening the bridge between science and society,” said Associate Professor ChM. Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Director of UM Community Engagement Centre (UMCares). “This MoU marks a meaningful step forward, opening doors to transform academic research into real-world solutions – from advancing clean formulation development to fostering greater community engagement.”
The MoU was officially signed between the President of KAO Malaysia, Mr Yamazaki Hirobumi and the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman with the exchange taking place today witnessed by Watsons Malaysia. The event was further highlighted by a symbolic donation handover, marking the shared commitment of all parties towards meaningful collaboration.
Laying the Foundation for Lifelong Skin Health
Launched in May 2025 in partnership with Watsons, the “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign championed skin protection as the key to confidence. Powered by Bioré’s “Cleanse. Protect.” philosophy, the initiative combined expert education, engaging consumer experiences, and a 1% sales donation to support local research.
With Universiti Malaya and skincare professionals on board, Watsons brought the campaign to life nationwide with exclusive rewards and member perks. Now, with the MoU signed, this partnership moves forward with a long-term commitment to advancing skin health.
For more information about KAO’s initiatives in Malaysia, visit: www.kao.com/my