iLabs Founder & CEO David Chung

David Chung is a serial entrepreneur with over twenty-five years of experience in beauty and skincare R&D innovation, contract manufacturing, and premium brand building. Guided by the philosophy of “under promise and over deliver,” Chung has earned a reputation for developing companies with strong foundations.

Chung began his career in fashion and beauty distribution. At the age of 25, Chung opened his first business, Nova Imports, distributing luxury fashion such as Emilio Pucci. Venturing into cosmetics, Chung launched Mona’s in New Jersey and Cosmetic World (seven locations) in California. Both cosmetic retailers were a precursor to current prestigious beauty and personal care retailers like Sephora and Ulta, which offered luxury skincare and cosmetic products, such as Christian Dior, La Prairie, and Estée Lauder. Inspired to create his own efficacious products, Chung launched 3LAB in 2003, a high-tech, award-winning skincare collection that quickly became a top-selling brand at Barneys New York.

Seeing the need for innovation in manufacturing, Chung established his first R&D facility, Englewood Lab, in New Jersey. Starting with one chemist and one kettle, Englewood Lab expanded to provide high-quality, cutting-edge skincare formulas and service over one hundred renowned brands with innovative, efficacious products. Chung took the company public on KOSDAQ; and sold his controlling interest to Cosmecca Korea. Prompted again by his relentless need to innovate, Chung created FARMACY BEAUTY in 2015, a clean, farm-to-table concept skincare brand that launched in Sephora. It rapidly became a top seller, with Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm becoming the no. 1 cleanser for the foremost retailer. Chung sold FARMACY BEAUTY to Procter & Gamble in 2021.