Dr. Melaxin

Dr. Melaxin is a South Korean skincare brand from Brand501, a Seoul company founded in 2017 by Yoo Kyung-hwa, a Korea University business graduate who previously worked in furniture product planning and at an advertising agency. Brand501 tried several product categories before finding its footing with a men's shaving cream, Barber501, which steadied the business.

Building on that experience, Brand501 launched Dr. Melaxin as a functional skincare brand in 2023. Its approach was unusual: rather than benchmark against other Korean brands, the team studied top-selling global products and aimed to deliver strong performance at a fairer price. Its products are made with Korean manufacturing partner Cosmecca Korea.

The Peel Shot exfoliating serum was developed with the US market in mind, with the goal of effective exfoliation without harshness, and it became the brand's breakthrough on TikTok Shop. Dr. Melaxin has since expanded into stores such as Watsons in Taiwan. Alongside Peel Shot, the Cemenrete calcium line covers multi balms, eye creams, creams and eye patches, and the Eyephalt Eyebag Cream targets the under-eye area.

For shoppers, Dr. Melaxin is a focused brand for specific goals: the look of dark spots, texture, puffiness or lost bounce. Pick one hero, such as the Multi Balm or a Peel Shot, introduce exfoliants gradually and follow with SPF in the morning.