Our Story

Where quality meets innovation,
your skin deserves the best of both worlds.

At the heart of MAKKO is Vernese Rivera — a passionate skincare enthusiast, a formulator by craft, and an advocate for making high-quality beauty accessible. Her journey into skincare is profoundly personal — shaped by lived experience, fueled by curiosity, and driven by a desire to share something better with others.

Rooted in Experience: A Lifelong Skincare Enthusiast

Vernese’s deep connection to skincare began with her own skin journey. Dealing with oily, acne-prone skin, she spent years navigating the complexities of various products — always in search of formulations that truly worked. She wasn’t afraid to explore different brands, analyze ingredients, and stay on top of evolving trends. Instead of viewing her skin concerns as setbacks, she embraced them as motivation — treating skincare as both self-care and discovery. This pursuit of balance, effectiveness, and confidence would eventually shape MAKKO’s core philosophy: skincare should be intelligent, enjoyable, and never overwhelming.

From Passion Project to Purposeful Brand

When Vernese moved to Japan in 2020, her skincare journey entered a new chapter. Inspired by Japan’s thoughtful approach to beauty and wellness, she began experimenting with simple handcrafted products — clay masks, soap scrubs, and natural blends made with care. These creations started as heartfelt gifts for friends, but the enthusiastic response ignited something more: a calling. What began as a creative hobby quickly evolved into a deeper passion for formulation — and with it, a vision for something bigger.

An Advocacy for Quality, Innovation, and Cross-Cultural Beauty

MAKKO was born out of Vernese’s commitment to offer products that are both exceptional and empowering. Drawing from the rich skincare legacies of Japan and Korea — two cultures renowned for their innovation, quality, and discipline — MAKKO merges the best of both worlds. The result? Skincare that’s forward-thinking yet grounded, designed to meet the needs of those quality-conscious with ease, elegance, and confidence.