SINGAPORE — Jean-Michel Karam makes it perfectly clear that first impressions can often be misconstrued.

The 44-year-old CEO of the world’s first personalised skincare brand, Ioma Factory, possesses a commanding presence, with his 1.94m stature and piercing eyes. It’s like meeting Game Of Thrones’ Khal Drogo.

That doesn’t mean the former pro basketballer hasn’t got a softer side. Karam, who is French-Lebanese, toys with a Rainbow Loom bracelet on his right wrist, and a small smile plays on his lips. “I have a five-year-old daughter — she forced me to wear this thing, which is killing my arm hair,” he laughed. “But I have no option, because I don’t get to see her a lot.”

The microelectromechanical systems engineer attributes his success to his father. “We lived through the Lebanon war and my father had to start from scratch with zero dollars, having been kicked out of our house four times,” said Karam. “Live every day like it’s your last day. Everybody who has lived through a war really practises this, because you don’t know if tomorrow will come. My father’s fighting and survival capabilities are one of the things that I learnt and practise in my life.”

Q: How does Asian skin differ from that of Caucasians and Europeans?

A: Asians in general tend to start treating their skin early, which is very good. The earlier you start, the longer you stop your skin from deteriorating. The Ioma mission is to stop the physical expression of ageing. To do so, you need two things: The first is anticipation; treat the wrinkles before they appear in order to delay them for as long as possible. The second is to treat them (with skincare) when they actually appear.

Q: They say beauty comes from within. Do you believe in that?

A: Of course. Prepare yourself, because next year in March, we will be bringing in something revolutionary. It’s an encapsulated treatment that acts from the inside. We’re also preparing a fantastic whitening solution that will also be in by March — this solution is tested and formulated specifically for Asian women. So you will have the power of two — both inside and outside.

Q: What is your biggest beauty secret?

A: I think my skin is good for my age! I take care of myself. No tobacco, I never smoke. I think if you want to have outstanding results, you really need to take care of yourself. Don’t go out into the sun and burn. You have to eat well and sleep as much as you can.

Q: How does one maintain good skin?

A: You need to ask God to give you the right genes! (Laughs) Actually, three factors come into play: Genes, your social life and skincare. Treating yourself correctly is essential, since you cannot do anything about your genes, right? But you must not smoke. Smoking is a disaster. Skin is the interface of our bodies with the environment — it’s like a door.

Q: What’s one extremely overrated product?

A: I think sunscreen doesn’t hurt, but putting SPF all the time isn’t good. I mean, what is SPF? They’re screens, and I don’t think it’s good for the skin to be covered by filters and screens all the time. It doesn’t breathe any more! All European dermatologists say it’s bullsh*t and that SPF isn’t even good for your skin. Laetitia Wong