Soyun Cho, MD, PhD
- Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Korea
“Skin is like a window to your general health status – healthy-looking skin reflects a healthy body. Inflammation is the main force driving aging of the human body, and it would be great if we could show a synergistic effect of nutritional supplements and topical skin care to promote preservation of youth inside and out.”
Dr. Cho is a clinical dermatologist focused primarily on skin aging, acne, rosacea and the use of retinoids. She studies matrix biology, what happens inside the skin when dermatitis (eczema), inflammation or skin aging is present. Her research looks at the thinning and disorganization that occurs in the dermis and epidermis when inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cells enter the skin, including the kind of low-level inflammation caused by the aging process.
Dr. Cho’s research explores how external environmental factors such as pollution, excessive sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, poor diet and excess body weight increase skin aging and the particular role that sunlight plays in facial skin aging. Her work has shown how particulate matter like PM 10 from a large metropolitan area penetrates skin when the skin barrier is broken or stripped by inflammation or conditions such as eczema, causing chronic or even severe acute inflammatory reaction.
Amway’s deep commitment to skin health and its history of developmental work with retinoids resonate with Dr. Cho. She worked closely with another Amway Scientific Advisory Board member on skin health while in a previous position.
Dr. Cho obtained her medical degree, PhD in medicine and graduate degree from Ewha Womans University in South Korea. She completed dermatology fellowships at Ewha Womans University and Asan Medical Center, both in South Korea, and then worked as a research physician and a lecturer at the University of Michigan in the United States.
She is a board certified dermatologist by the Korean Dermatological Association and holds European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) Board Certification in Dermatopathology. She is a prolific author and contributor and has guest lectured around the world.
