I’m Mei-Yung Lee, founder and CEO of AgeLess Zen, with my story which begins long before I ever mixed my first formula. It starts with my father, whose hands (to me as a child) seemed to hold magic—not the kind you see in movies, but the quiet, powerful magic derived from herbs and plants, through the hands of a skilled Physician, my father!
I was fortunate to witness his healing wisdom and practice throughout my childhood in Hong Kong. In 1981, I brought these memories and teachings with me to America, where my life would take unexpected turns that ultimately led me back to seeking the trusted power of herbs and plants to heal.
When my husband passed unexpectedly in 1991, I found myself raising two children and build a career from scratch.
Prior to my husband passing, I had helped him with designing real estate projects, like No. 1 & 2 Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. So, after his unexpected passing, I was forced to take over as President of Stitzel Company. But with the demanding schedule, no time to care for my young children and in-laws, I chose to give up the challenge and build my own company. I also volunteered and served as trustee for non-profit institutions like Bay Area Discovery Museum, Summerbridge National, and University High School, and spent over a decade as a volunteer tax counselor in the AARP Tax Aid Program. But through it all, I carried my father’s teachings with me—“the belief that nature holds many of the answers to questions we seek, if we’re curious enough to look”.
My skincare journey wasn’t born from “skincare” business AMBITION. it grew out of my own with
“skin” related FRUSTRATION..
After tennis games in the sun, I noticed dryness, fine lines, and sunspots started to appear on my skin. Yikes!! I was using a high-end foreign skincare product line, but it wasn’t helping my skin much. I started searching for a non-chemical solution, something that would work overnight, when our bodies naturally heal. (My dad taught me our body repairs and heals at night.) The quest for a natural skincare solution had begun. I started researching, experimenting, and then testing products on myself. I learned a lot. Much of which I will share with you here, in my writings about my journey, and on my future podcasts. I’m an obsessive researcher by nature. (Ok, some would just say “obsessive”! in whatever I do) Every one of my skincare products starts with a question about how to solve the current issue/ need. More often than not, I find myself reaching into the past for some of that ancient wisdom from my father’s Chinese herbal books, then I compare that information with modern clinical research to create an amazing product-solution using the best wisdom/knowledge from both worlds.
This isn’t just R&D to me—it’s my passion. I make the skincare products because I need them, my family and dear friends need them, and I demand the best for myself and them….. wouldn’t you?
Every formula version is tested on me first, adjusting percentages, pH balance, and bioavailability until it works amazingly. Then I run human clinical testing, followed by consumer research follow-up! The color of my products isn’t bleached white because usually “bleached-white” is not found in nature’s herb and plant extracts. My lab is a boutique manufacturer of these amazing products, sourcing and/or extracting from the best ingredients from around the world (We also hold numerous world-wide patents and trademarks). Should a storm or environmental issue disrupt access to my “hero” ingredients, I must make it my mission to find backup suppliers with the same heart and soul, who try their best to supply me with all the key ingredients I need, on time, with uncompromising quality or can’t make the batch.
I believe beautiful, youthful-looking skin isn’t achieved based on the highest price—it’s achieved through nature’s effective yet tender and powerful balancing, repairing, and healing effects on our skin.
AgeLess Zen is a place where people will find effective skincare options that make sense with ingredients they can trust.They will feel confident in their natural youthful beauty – while giving back to the communities that support us.
