As Synergie Skin marks its 20th anniversary, founder and formulator Terri Vinson reflects on two decades of science-led skincare and unwavering integrity. What began as a mission to cut through industry noise has grown into a global brand built on education, evidence and empowerment. In this exclusive interview, Terri shares how her trademarked Clean Science® philosophy has stood the test of time.
20 years is an incredible milestone. What inspired you to start Synergie Skin back in 2005, and what was your original vision for the brand?
When I founded Synergie Skin, I envisioned bridging the gap between marketing hype and science-backed results. Active, targeted ingredients were sadly lacking in nearly every formulation. I wanted to empower people to understand what they were putting on their skin and why. My vision was to create evidence-based, ethical skincare that simply did what it promised, while demystifying the science behind it. Clean Science became my guiding philosophy. No marketing woo-woo, no greenwashing, just transparently delivered results and integrity in every formulation.
How has that vision evolved over time?
The heart of my vision is exactly the same. I still wake up every day wanting to educate, empower and create products that truly make a difference. What has evolved is how we share that message and how the industry now embraces the transparency I was fighting for all those years ago. Today, Clean Science is a movement that’s shaped the way people think about skincare. I’ve also realised that skin health doesn’t stop at the surface, which is why we’ve expanded into internal wellness with SynTernals. But the goal is unchanged: to make people feel confident, informed and in control of their health choices.
What do you attribute to Synergie’s ability to not just survive, but thrive, in such a crowded market?
We’ve thrived because we never chased trends for the sake of relevance. Everything we do is grounded in evidence, authenticity and education. I’ve always believed in earning trust rather than buying it. Our vertical integration also gives us complete control, from the R&D bench to the finished bottle, so we can innovate quickly without compromise. At the end of the day, results speak louder than hype, and that’s what keeps our stockists and customers loyal after 20 years. Through trust, our reputation has grown, and that is a legacy I am so proud of.
On a personal level, what habits or values do you credit with keeping the brand on track for two decades?
Curiosity, resilience and authenticity have always guided me. I question everything, including my own assumptions. I surround myself with people who are more skilled than me, who challenge me and share my dedication to building confidence through vitality. Engaging with my loyal clinicians and therapists keeps me connected to the “why” behind every product and every business decision we make as a team. When every decision you make is aligned with your core values, you will always act with authenticity, even in challenging times.
When you reflect back, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced as both a skin scientist and entrepreneur breaking into the professional skincare market?
Reflecting back 20 years ago, it was just me. Being both the formulator and the founder meant wearing many hats, from creating the formulas to packing the orders. The biggest challenge was earning credibility in an industry dominated by glossy marketing, high-end department stores and big budgets. As a female scientist leading with evidence over hype, I had to prove that Synergie Skin could stand shoulder to shoulder with global brands, and that integrity and results would always set Synergie up for success.
And what about the highs – are there any standout highlights in particular?
So many. Launching internationally and seeing Synergie on clinic shelves across the world was surreal. Winning awards for formulations I created from scratch is always gratifying, but the real highlight is hearing firsthand from people whose confidence has been restored through our products. That’s what gets me out of bed every morning. And of course, celebrating 20 years surrounded by my team and stockists, many of whom have been with me from the start, is a true highlight.
“Clean” has become a buzzword in beauty, often vague and overused. How does Synergie’s version of Clean Science genuinely cut through the noise, and how do you prevent the brand being lumped in with every other “clean” skincare label?
The term “clean” has been flogged in our industry. I legally trademarked the term Clean Science® over 15 years ago, predating the emergence of the mainstream Clean Beauty movement.
For me, Clean Science® has never been about ingredient fearmongering. It’s about evidence, transparency, sustainability and ethics. Every ingredient I’ve used has earned its place through data, ethics and consumer safety, not hype. Sometimes that means choosing a lab-made synthetic ingredient over a “natural” one. Laboratory-made ingredients are often purer, safer or more sustainable.
Clean Science is also about supporting a clean, sustainable environment. While we are not perfect and sustainability is a work in progress for us all, our manufacturing facility is solar powered, and all our packaging and labelling decisions are made with sustainability in mind.
Yes, the ingredients I choose to include are intentional, but we don’t market by calling out what we refuse to include. Consumers are savvy. They can read an ingredient list for themselves and see what is not included without banging on about “toxic” ingredients. If there is any ingredient that I deem questionable or controversial, then I will find a better alternative, but we do this without selling by fear.
Many brands lean heavily on trends or influencer marketing. What’s been Synergie’s secret to staying relevant without losing credibility?
I’ve always believed science is the ultimate influencer. Our relevance comes from staying at the forefront scientifically, not just socially. We educate rather than advertise, and that builds lasting loyalty. When we do collaborate, it’s with professionals and creators who align with our values, not just our aesthetics. Relevance without integrity is fleeting. We’ve built trust over 20 years because we’ve never compromised our standards for clicks or trends.
Manufacturing entirely in Australia is a rare choice in an industry saturated by low-cost offshore production. Has it ever hurt your margins, and why have you never wavered from this since day one?
Absolutely, manufacturing in Australia is more costly, but control, quality and market agility are non-negotiable for me. Keeping Synergie Skin’s manufacturing, sales, education and marketing under one roof in Melbourne means I know exactly what goes into every product, how it’s made and how the education is conveyed. It also supports the Aussie economy and ensures our ability to be more agile and react quickly to market changes, which is incredibly important to me. There have been times when producing offshore would’ve been more profitable, but the long-term cost of compromise isn’t worth it.
You’ve worn both a lab coat and a CEO hat. Throughout your journey, have you ever felt pressure to compromise on science in order to compete commercially?
Many times, and every time, the answer is no. There’s always a temptation in this industry to launch faster or cheaper, or to follow an ingredient or trend that’s going viral. Wearing my cosmetic chemist’s hat, if the science doesn’t convince me, it doesn’t make it to shelf. I’d rather lose short-term momentum than sacrifice efficacy and trust.
In such a competitive industry, how do you resist the push to launch quickly while waiting for clinical validation?
Patience is a scientific discipline. That’s where having an in-house manufacturing facility helps; I can test, tweak and revalidate without external pressure. Our industry often celebrates speed, but I celebrate certainty. Waiting for data isn’t an unnecessary delay; it’s a mark of respect for our customers and the science that supports it.
When deciding on a new product, do you start with consumer demand, clinician feedback or the science itself?
All three intersect. Science gives me the “what’s possible”, our clinicians often tell me the “what’s needed”, and consumers drive the “why”. The magic happens when these overlap. I often start with a scientific discovery, but I always ground it in real-world application. If it doesn’t solve a genuine problem or improve a treatment outcome, it doesn’t get made. That’s how we stay both innovative and practical.
Have you ever ruled out a potentially profitable concept because it clashed with your ethical or sustainability standards?
Many times. I’ve walked away from formulations that could have been lucrative because they involved ingredients or practices that didn’t align with our ethics. Our process is driven by science, but it’s guided by conscience. Whether it’s rejecting human or animal-derived ingredients, or choosing more sustainable packaging even when it costs more, I’m not interested in profit without principle.
As Synergie grows internationally, do you tweak formulas for different markets, or stick firmly to one global standard?
Our formulas are consistent globally, but there are definitely regional differences in terms of skin types, climate and general skin requirements. What does vary is regional regulations, so some formulas, particularly clinical treatments, must be carefully considered. What we make here in our Melbourne manufacturing facility is what we are proud to share with the world. It’s about consistency, trust and respecting the science behind every bottle.
From peptides to exosomes, the industry churns out new categories arguably faster than fashion. How do you decide which innovations to pursue and which to ignore?
I always follow the evidence, not the noise. The industry moves fast, and not every “breakthrough” holds up under scrutiny. I spend months, sometimes years, reviewing the data and understanding the mechanism of action before I commit. When something shows genuine potential, I’ll dive in deeply. But I’ve also learned that saying no to a popular trend is just as powerful as saying yes. True innovation is about being an industry leader, not a trend follower.
Do you develop products with the clinician in mind first and then adapt them for the consumer, or the other way around? How much do your professional partners inform new product development?
Clinicians are at the heart of so many of our formulations. They’re the bridge between my lab and the consumer, and their feedback is invaluable. I often create formulations to elevate clinical treatments, then adapt them for home use to maintain results. That synergy between the professional and consumer space is what sets Synergie apart. Our stockists are not just partners; they are collaborators in innovation.
Looking ahead, what scientific breakthroughs do you believe will drive your next wave of product development?
I’m incredibly excited by the evolution of biomimetic science and creating intelligent actives that can communicate with the skin in the same way our own cells do. Exosome technology is one of the most exciting frontiers in this space, offering regenerative benefits with safety and efficacy. I’m also fascinated by the growing connection between internal health, the skin microbiome and overall skin health. My work with SynTernals is a fundamental element of this, exploring how cellular energy, microbiome balance and nutrition influence how the skin functions and repairs itself. I see the future as a true meeting point between biotechnology, inner vitality and confidence, where science and integrity exist in perfect synergy.
You’ve built a career on prioritising science over spin. If you had to call out your most unpopular opinion about the skincare industry, what would it be?
That “natural” doesn’t always mean better, and “synthetic” isn’t a dirty word. Science allows us to harness both naturally derived and man-made ingredients safely and effectively. Some of the purest, most sustainable ingredients are created in labs, not harvested from the earth.
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