FRANKLY Lab: Our Story & R&D
FRANKLY is a Korean skincare brand founded in March 2022 by researchers who wanted skincare to be honest. Every formula is developed in-house by the FRANKLY Lab, our R&D team in Korea, with clear ingredient percentages, fair prices and results backed by testing, not marketing.
Our Story
FRANKLY began when two researchers met: a founder with a background in AI research and development, and a co-founder who spent years as a cosmetic R&D researcher at one of Korea's largest beauty companies, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering.
Together, they first set out to develop personalized hair care. Along the way, they kept running into the same problems in the beauty industry: prices far higher than the ingredients justified, and products built around marketing rather than real efficacy. So they started FRANKLY, a brand that speaks frankly about what is in the bottle, what it does and what it costs.
What "Frankly" Means
- Transparency beyond honesty: we disclose key ingredient percentages, like 15% niacinamide, 8.05% glycolic acid and 0.1% or 0.3% retinol, so you know exactly what you are getting.
- Efficacy over marketing: formulas are built around proven ingredients at meaningful levels, then tested.
- Easy for everyone: high-quality skincare at genuinely reasonable prices.
Inside the FRANKLY Lab
The FRANKLY Lab is our in-house R&D team. We design every formula from the ingredient up, choosing actives such as 99% Salmon PDRN, a 9-peptide complex, pure retinol and niacinamide, and pairing them with supporting ingredients that keep skin comfortable.
- Third-party testing: our products go through dermatologist and hypoallergenic testing, and clinical consumer satisfaction surveys with independent Korean skin clinical trial centers.
- Real numbers: for example, in a 4-week survey, 97.5% were satisfied with skin radiance after using PDRN Bounce Ball Serum & Cream (Human Co., Ltd. Skin Clinical Trial Center, n=40), and 94.29% were satisfied with wrinkle improvement after using Retinol 0.1 Cream (Oracle Clinical Trials Center, n=35).
- Clear guidance: we publish how to use each product safely, from starting retinol step by step to how often to use an AHA toner.
Made in Korea to Global Standards
All FRANKLY products are manufactured in Korea at CGMP and ISO certified facilities, following strict quality and safety standards.
Our Standards
- Cruelty-free: we never test on animals.
- Vegan formulas: most of our products are vegan formulas. Products with salmon-derived PDRN are clearly labeled as not vegan.
- Clean formulations: free from parabens and artificial dyes, with fragrance-free options across the range and many EWG Green formulas.
- Environmental care: we look at environmental impact across production, including biodegradable sheet mask fabric.
FRANKLY Around the World
- Available in 30+ countries
- #1 Serum on TikTok Shop Malaysia
- #1 Set and #9 Serum on TikTok Shop UK
- Amazon Best Seller in Pore Minimizer (2026) with Closer Pore Reducing Serum
- Sold at retailers including Olive Young and Coupang in Korea, and across Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and more
Learn With the FRANKLY Lab
Read our guides in the FRANKLY Lab Journal, including What Is PDRN? and Retinol 0.1% vs 0.3%.
FAQ
Who founded FRANKLY?
FRANKLY was founded in March 2022 by an AI R&D researcher and a cosmetic R&D researcher from one of Korea's largest beauty companies, who holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering.
Where are FRANKLY products made?
In Korea, at CGMP and ISO certified manufacturing facilities.
Is FRANKLY cruelty-free and vegan?
FRANKLY is cruelty-free. Most products are vegan formulas, except products containing salmon-derived PDRN.
Where can I buy FRANKLY?
On befrankly.com, Amazon, TikTok Shop and at retailers in 30+ countries.
Company Information
THEKOOKY INC
16192 Coastal Highway, Lewes, Delaware 19958, USA
Customer service: global@kookylabs.com
Wholesale: together@kookylabs.com