KAO Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) have announced the successful completion of the “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign, which concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement formalises their joint commitment to advancing public health through skincare education and research.
Through this collaboration, KAO Malaysia, via its leading skincare brand Bioré, is contributing RM50,000 in funding across two major initiatives led by Universiti Malaya. The first initiative, titled “Beautiful Change Begins with Us”, will be managed by the Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) and will focus on hygiene awareness, environmental sustainability, and mental wellness for teenagers, adults, and children. The second initiative is a research project titled “Innovative Clean Skincare Formulations for Skin Protection and Healthy Living”, which will be conducted by the Faculty of Science at Universiti Malaya. These projects are supported through KAO Malaysia’s 1% pledge, which allocates a portion of Bioré product sales to local skin health research.
Mr. Yamazaki Hirobumi, President of KAO Malaysia, expressed that the partnership reflects KAO’s mission to create meaningful, science-driven impact beyond product innovation. He emphasised that skin protection should not be seen solely as a personal care choice but as a responsibility linked to public health. He added that the collaboration with Universiti Malaya is an important step toward benefiting communities across Malaysia.
The MoU marks KAO Malaysia’s first academic collaboration with an educational institution in the country. By bringing together industry expertise and academic research, the partnership aims to shape skincare as a pillar of community health. What started as a public awareness campaign has now evolved into a long-term initiative with funding support from KAO Malaysia, enabling Universiti Malaya to expand community programmes and enhance research with improved equipment and resources. This partnership also supports new research and public education efforts focusing on sustainable skincare practices.
Associate Professor ChM. Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Director of UM Community Engagement Centre (UMCares), said the collaboration is an opportunity to bridge the gap between science and society. She highlighted that the MoU opens the door to translating academic research into practical solutions, ranging from clean formulation development to initiatives that foster stronger community engagement.
The signing ceremony took place 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. The event was witnessed by Watsons Malaysia and further highlighted with a symbolic donation handover, marking the shared dedication of all parties toward meaningful collaboration.
The “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign, launched in May 2025 with Watsons, highlighted skin protection as a foundation of confidence. Driven by Bioré’s “Cleanse. Protect.” philosophy, the campaign combined expert education, consumer engagement, and a 1% sales donation to fund local research. Watsons supported the campaign nationwide through exclusive rewards and member perks, bringing the initiative closer to communities.
With the MoU now in place, KAO Malaysia and Universiti Malaya are set to continue their long-term collaboration to advance skin health, support research, and enhance public education. Together, they are laying the foundation for lifelong skin wellness in Malaysia.
For more information on KAO’s initiatives in Malaysia, visit www.kao.com/my
