How did you get involved in skincare?
I spent most of my career in cancer research. I have a degree in biology with a master’s in clinical research management. I lost my job seven years ago, so one day I was watching QVC and someone was selling skincare products. I thought to myself, “Why doesn’t someone make something that really does something that it promises?” I’ve always loved skincare but never thought of it as a career. I found an esthetician school in Delaware and I enrolled and became licensed.
How did you go from becoming a licensed esthetician to owning your skincare clinics?
Since I already knew about skin biology, I focused on the analytical part of skin issues. I became licensed in Pennsylvania first and I got a job at a spa. But there were things I didn’t like at the spa—it was owned by hair stylists and all the equipment was rundown. Coming from a medical environment, this was appalling to me. I realized that there was really nothing in Delaware that focused specifically on skincare. So I opened my first Fresh Faced Skin Care location in historic New Castle in January 2012. A year later I opened a second location in North Wilmington. I kept that location open a few years then opened a location in Chadds Ford in 2015.
What are you known for?
My specialty is acne and anti-aging.
What sparked your makeup line?
I started getting more adult clients with acne, which was linked to their makeup. The products they were using were causing irritation, rashes and breakouts. I didn’t have any good product recommendations so I decided to make my own. I started with the face—I developed a foundation, concealer and blush in 2013. It evolved because people wanted more mineral-based makeup.
So then you decided to develop a skincare line?
I became an acne specialist in 2014. I developed my clarity serum in 2015. It is made with Mandelic acid—a natural acid derived from almonds—that exhibits both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. In September of the same year I developed my purifying bar. I had recently moved into a larger shop in New Castle and wanted to start selling more bath and body products at a low price point. I decided to make a soap that is natural and not over drying. My purifying bar is now my No. 1 selling item—it is made with Moroccan red clay, it is a gentle exfoliator, anti-microbial and does not strip the skin of natural oils. Last summer, I submitted the bar to Home Shopping Network’s American Dreams next best product contest. I moved on as a finalist and HSN is currently quality-testing all of the finalists’ products.
So what is next for you?
I am going to expand my product line—I just came out with some moisturizers. How I fare in the HSN competition will determine if I get a warehouse and employees to help me with distribution.
Fresh Faced Skin Care
204 A Delaware St., New Castle;
328 Kennett Pike, Suite 102, Mendenhall Station, Chadds Ford, Pa.
