By June Ramli
Sydney, April 16: They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away — and for Dr Vincent Candrawinata, this old adage has become the cornerstone of a multimillion-dollar health and skincare empire.
Hailing from Indonesia, Dr Vincent’s journey began in 2008 as an international student in Australia.
His fascination with apples started during his time at the University of Newcastle, where he pursued a PhD exploring antioxidant extraction.
Apples, he discovered, are among the richest sources of natural antioxidants, particularly when grown in Australia’s cooler regions like Orange in New South Wales.
“The extreme climate swings cause the apples to protect themselves by producing even more antioxidants,” he explained.
These powerful compounds, known for combating inflammation and promoting cellular health, became the foundation of his groundbreaking scientific research.
This research led to the creation of Activated Phenolics — an innovation allowing antioxidants to be extracted from apples without the use of chemicals. Unlike traditional supplements, which often have a bioavailability as low as three per cent, Dr Vincent’s formula boosted absorption to over 97 per cent, making it far more effective.
The breakthrough not only earned academic praise but also led to the birth of Renovatio Bioscience, the company he founded with the mission of “healing the world through food.”
But Dr Vincent’s story does not end in the lab.
His personal connection to health — particularly his grandmother’s recovery from illness after using his antioxidant supplement — pushed him to bring his research to the masses.
He never studied business formally, calling his entrepreneurial journey a “real-life MBA.”
Still, his scientific credibility and word-of-mouth from satisfied customers helped him turn a passion project into a trusted household brand.
In 2020, Dr Vincent expanded into skincare, launching a simplified three-step system using the same apple-derived antioxidants. While it may seem like an unexpected pivot, to him it was a natural progression.
“Skin is our largest organ,” he said.
“If antioxidants can benefit internal health, why not external as well?”
His products quickly found success on shelves at Woolworths and abroad, with Renovatio expanding into Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States.
In 2024, the brand scored a $16 million deal to bring the skincare line to American retailers — a dream come true for the scientist-turned-CEO.
Despite his busy schedule, Dr Vincent remains grounded in science and service.
“It is not about creating hype,” he said.
“It is about creating something that works — and doing it with the right intention.”
From apples to academia to aisle shelves, Dr Vincent’s story is proof that with purpose, passion and persistence, even a humble piece of fruit can change the world.
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