The Skinterrogation column is where I post Q&A seshes with major movers and shakers in the skin care industry.
Today, I’m skinterrogating the fabulous seaweed enthusiast Lydia Sarfati, creator of skin care line Repêchage. It’s one of the longest-standing brands in my skin care arsenal; the brand was repped long ago by the PR agency I worked at right out of college. For years, I’d employ the line to take care of acne and leave my skin looking lovely. I caught up with Lydia to find out more about how she started the brand, her best skin care tips and her unorthodox but fabulous anti-aging trick. Read on for the full Q&A.
Beauty Blogging Junkie: I adore Repêchage! Tell me a little about your background: When did you realize you wanted to start your own line of products?
Lydia Sarfati: I opened my own Skin Care Center in 1977 off of Madison Avenue. I was working as an esthetician and catering to NYC socialites, beauty editors and celebrities. In my first year I did 15,000 facials and my clients were seeing fantastic results. When I got pregnant with my second daughter Shiri, I knew this was not sustainable. I needed the clinic to be able to run without me being there so I developed the now iconic Repêchage 4-Layer Facial as well as 12 at-home care products for my clients. The 4 Layer Facial came in unique, unidose packaging so the estheticians in my spa were able to provide the same results as I was each and every time. With the 4 Layer Facial, there is no guess work, everything is already measured and the facial is laid out in front of you, my clients were able to see the results they were getting from me even when I wasn’t in the spa.
From the original Repêchage collection, I was able to build an international professional skin care company. To ensure the most cutting edge products for my clients, I knew from the beginning that I would need to continue to develop the products myself. Today we develop and manufacture all of our products in the USA, right in Secaucus, NJ and have a solution for every skin type. Repêchage is available in over 30 countries and on six continents. From creation, to the manufacturing, to the marketing and distribution, I have a hand in everything which allows me to make sure all of our products are the best they can be.
BBJ: What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you in the course of your career?
LS: That’s a hard question! This industry has opened so many doors for me and taken me to so many fantastic countries all over the world, I have truly been blessed. I have to say the most exciting part of my career however, would have to be that my husband, David Sarfati joined me at Repêchage as the Chief Opera