Interview article in the Thairath newspaper
Piti is extremely delighted and honored to have been interviewed in the “Business on my way” column in Thairath newspaper, the May 18, 2019 issue, about the origin journey of Piti products for dry, itchy skin, under the topic “Piti” delivering happiness… restoring healthy skin for the elderly. You can read more details here. Sometimes business opportunities may arise from things close to us—things we might not even realize could truly become a business. But with determination, nothing is too difficult to achieve.
This week, Business On My Way takes you to experience the story of cosmeceuticals born from the science of medicine and treatment, intertwined with the science of love for one’s parents, leading to the creation of beauty innovations that bring joy to both users and givers.
Nothing is greater than repaying one’s parents—especially if you can help cure them of any illness. This is part of what was said during an interview and conversation with “Pharmacist Rungmit Choonhengphan,” the owner of the “Piti” brand, a cosmeceutical line for elderly skin care.
What’s interesting about today’s story is that Khun Rungmit decided to resign from her job at a pharmaceutical company and return to care for her father, who had begun to fall ill, and her aging mother, as well as to look after the family business. But who would have known that returning to take on responsibilities at home this time would lead her to discover an approach to treatment and to caring for and nurturing beauty in the elderly.
Khun Rungmit recounts the origin of Piti products: it began when she had to care for her 91-year-old father, who had been bedridden for more than ten years. His advanced age and illness caused his skin to become dry and rough, later turning into a chronic problem. Her father’s skin became dry due to lack of moisture; at the same time, the skin also became thinner, causing itching. He began scratching all night until the skin broke and bled. Even though some wounds had already scabbed over, there was still irritation around the wounds. Over time, the wounds began to become infected, and his health eventually started to deteriorate.
“Even though we later learned that the main cause was dry skin, we still couldn’t find a cream that met my father’s skin needs. Creams with a rich texture left a sticky residue, while lighter creams couldn’t treat the dryness. It took a long time searching for the right cream on the market, both in Thailand and abroad.”
“Until we sat down and thought that we had the pharmaceutical knowledge we studied, so we decided to develop a cream formula for dry skin ourselves—designed to be thick yet fast-absorbing, non-sticky. We tested it until my father’s dry skin gradually improved, and today the results are very satisfactory.”
“Piti’s cream formula combines natural extracts—roselle calyx, yuzu, shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, evening primrose oil, and brown algae with hyaluronic acid to boost moisture—together with ceramides from yuzu to form a protective barrier against external environmental conditions. This helps the skin maintain its natural moisture balance, restores the structure of rough, dry skin back to a healthy state, and includes vitamins A and E to help repair damaged skin so it looks smooth and soft again.”
“After studying dry skin in greater depth, Khun Rungmit discovered that it’s not only older people who experience dry skin. This condition can occur at any age—due to genetics, daily routines that harm the skin, or certain diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, or patients undergoing chemotherapy.”
“This information led to the decision to develop a gentle moisturizing cream formula suitable for all skin types, free from added fragrance, alcohol, parabens, or silicone, to prevent side effects for users. Currently there are 2 product lines: Piti Natural Body Lotion, available in 4 scents—Geranium Rose, Orangery, Flores, and Breezy—and Piti Therapy Hand Cream, available in 3 scents: Orangery, Flores, and Breezy.”
Khun Rungmit also said that, based on data from the National Statistical Office, it is expected that in 2021 Thailand will become a fully aged society. Entering an aged society is not as frightening as being unprepared to cope with it. A survey found that more than 40% of Thais in the pre-elderly age group have not yet prepared to become quality seniors in the future—especially regarding health, which should be the top priority.
This does not even include the large number of foreigners who choose Thailand as their destination and final home after retirement. The question is: how ready are we to care for the ever-increasing elderly population? Therefore, in addition to supporting infrastructure and various medical capabilities, cosmeceuticals are another innovation that can meet consumers’ needs both proactively and reactively.
Finally, Khun Rungmit said that Piti is a knowledge resource ready to share techniques and various recommendations with those who are interested, with the goal from the very beginning of making “Piti” a small happiness that helps strengthen the picture of Thailand today under the aged-society model.
Read more on the Thairath website (click here).
