Irene Forte Skincare
Irene Forte Skincare is the Italian luxury skincare brand merging the natural richness of Sicily with science-led formulas — sustainably made and spa-born. Using organic ingredients from the Forte estate and advanced dermatological research, they create high-performance, sensorial skincare designed to nourish skin and support long-term wellbeing.
Irene Forte
Founder & CEO
How did it all begin?
I had been working at Rocco Forte Hotels for almost a decade, overseeing their spa and wellness offering (amongst a few other things). During that time and through my experience working with the spas, I saw the opportunity for natural and experiential formulations to be improved by scientific insight. I also wanted to create a business with sustainability at its core.
I had the perfect base from which to start a natural line with our organic farm in Sicily, but I knew that I needed a brilliant scientific mind to help me formulate. After a lot of research in Italy, I came across my formulator in early 2014: Dottoressa Francesca Ferri, who had started formulating clean cosmetics and food supplements over 35 years ago. Her philosophy lined up with mine, and I thought that she was the perfect fit to help me bring a ‘natural skincare line made better by the guidance of science’ to life.
After a number of years of development, as well as then trying and testing them with elite spa professionals in the Rocco Forte Spas, we launched Irene Forte Skincare.
What sets your business apart?
We created products at the forefront of the ‘Natural Science’ movement; natural, plant-based (and certified vegan) formulations that are guided by science and clinically proven. They have outstanding fragrance and feel but with low allergenic potential. Most natural brands fragrance their products with essential oils. Our rejection of essential oils and our distinctive use of lab-formulated allergen-screened fragrances enable us to deliver the sensory trigger of fragrance without the normal associated levels of skin irritation. Indeed, because of these special fragrances, we are the only fragranced brand that is clinically approved for sensitive skin. As a B Corp certified brand, we also built a business with sustainability at its core, and were one of the first skincare brands to do sustainable luxury.
What is the concept behind your business or the problem you’re solving?
I saw the opportunity for natural and experiential formulations to be improved by scientific insight. I wanted to create a natural brand that was both efficacious and kind on the skin. I also wanted to create a luxury skincare brand with sustainability at its core.
What is your brand vision?
I’m trying to build a dominant market brand that is recognised as the ‘Natural Science’ brand, and differentiated as a sustainable, allergen-screened and youth-enhancing product range. I also want to be recognised as the best Italian skincare brand.
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