Nancy Jeffries, Contributing Editor08.29.12
Joel Schlessinger is a man with a plan. The CEO of LovelySkin and a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon is verseeing the launch of his second annual pop-up store at the Renaissance Hotel in New York City. Last month, Dr. Schlessinger discussed the genesis of the LovelySkin brand, from its roots in Omaha, NE, site of its flagship store, to its current incarnation as one of the top 1000 websites in the world (LovelySkin now ranks No. 534).
The company, which was launched 14 years ago, began with the goal of providing top skin care brands to consumers who didn’t have everyday access to the range of products they wanted.
“Today, we are the number four cosmeceutical seller on the internet, feature 250 brands on LovelySkin.com, as well as our own Fix My Skin balms, featuring hydrocortisone, for dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, insect bites, and more, and feature such top of the line brands as SkinMedica, Neostrata, with its new at-home peel, Color Science, mineral-based powder, Tria, with devices for laser hair removal at home, and a blue light treatment device for acne, Glytone, with its antioxidant Anti-Aging eye Cream, René Furterer Hair Care, Oxygenetix, featuring oxygenating breathable foundation, Avène, and more,” said Schlessinger.
“As a derm,” said Schlessinger, “I’m kind of a fix it sort of person. Whether an individual has eczema, sensitive skin or whatever type of skin an individual has, we want to provide the service, and do, to hundreds of thousands of customers around the world.”
Schlessinger noted the growth of the company's Facebook fan base, which has reached 73,000, cited the extensive clinical trials being conducted for acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions, and also zeroed in on the trends, like BB creams that are resonating with consumers.
“We also post interactive forums where educational information on such issues as melanoma are shared, which reaches and helps educate many people in different countries,” he noted.
Schlessinger described the success of his own brand, Fix My Skin, which he developed with son, Daniel Schlessinger, currently in the medical program at Northwestern, and who will “hopefully join his father in his practice upon graduation.” Fix My Skin, currently in the patenting process, has already garnered $100,000 in sales. It is designed to treat dry skin, chapped lips, eczema and more, with its line of Lip Balm, Healing Body Balm, and Face and Fingers Balm, each containing 1% hydrocortisone. It is paraben-free and available in vanilla flavor or fragrance-free. There is also a non-hydrocortisone formula available, for relief of dry skin and skin irritations.
Schlessinger noted the balance needed to create a functional, yet aesthetically-pleasing formula when discussing Fix It Balm.
“The idea of having a product that is anhydrous and has the ability to protect and repair, and the ability to penetrate the skin, goes beyond moisturizing and gives it a point of distinction,” said Dr. Schlessinger.
Daniel Schlessinger added, “It’s also all essential oils, so it has a natural approach, and it has no petrolatum in the formula, so it has the correct slip and isn’t tacky. It was also important to achieve a balance so it doesn’t melt in your pocket, but does disperse evenly on the lips and skin.”
Skin Care Lines at LovelySkin
The company, which was launched 14 years ago, began with the goal of providing top skin care brands to consumers who didn’t have everyday access to the range of products they wanted.
“Today, we are the number four cosmeceutical seller on the internet, feature 250 brands on LovelySkin.com, as well as our own Fix My Skin balms, featuring hydrocortisone, for dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, insect bites, and more, and feature such top of the line brands as SkinMedica, Neostrata, with its new at-home peel, Color Science, mineral-based powder, Tria, with devices for laser hair removal at home, and a blue light treatment device for acne, Glytone, with its antioxidant Anti-Aging eye Cream, René Furterer Hair Care, Oxygenetix, featuring oxygenating breathable foundation, Avène, and more,” said Schlessinger.
Joel Schlessinger, MD, CEO, LovelySkin, with son, Daniel Schlessinger, co-developers of Fix My Skin Healing Balms, at pop-up store event. |
Schlessinger noted the growth of the company's Facebook fan base, which has reached 73,000, cited the extensive clinical trials being conducted for acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions, and also zeroed in on the trends, like BB creams that are resonating with consumers.
“We also post interactive forums where educational information on such issues as melanoma are shared, which reaches and helps educate many people in different countries,” he noted.
Schlessinger described the success of his own brand, Fix My Skin, which he developed with son, Daniel Schlessinger, currently in the medical program at Northwestern, and who will “hopefully join his father in his practice upon graduation.” Fix My Skin, currently in the patenting process, has already garnered $100,000 in sales. It is designed to treat dry skin, chapped lips, eczema and more, with its line of Lip Balm, Healing Body Balm, and Face and Fingers Balm, each containing 1% hydrocortisone. It is paraben-free and available in vanilla flavor or fragrance-free. There is also a non-hydrocortisone formula available, for relief of dry skin and skin irritations.
Klorane Biodegradable Wipes |
“The idea of having a product that is anhydrous and has the ability to protect and repair, and the ability to penetrate the skin, goes beyond moisturizing and gives it a point of distinction,” said Dr. Schlessinger.
Daniel Schlessinger added, “It’s also all essential oils, so it has a natural approach, and it has no petrolatum in the formula, so it has the correct slip and isn’t tacky. It was also important to achieve a balance so it doesn’t melt in your pocket, but does disperse evenly on the lips and skin.”
SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum |
Among the products featured at the pop-up store were Avène Eau Thermale Spring Water, for soothing and softening sensitive skin, as well as Avène Eau Thermale Skin Recovery Cream, a soothing, protective, non-comedogenic cream specifically designed for naturally sensitive skin, or skin that has become irritable following various aggressions, including climatic conditions or harsh cleansers. The product, made in France, contains no fragrance, no preservatives, and no alcohol; and also features the ingredient Parcerine®, a patent-pending active, which is said to help calm skin’s reactivity while actively repairing the hydrophilic barrier of the skin. The molecule is said to help deactivate the inflammatory response.
Also featured were Klorane’s Soothing Make-Up Remover Biodegradable Wipes, which are fragrance- and paraben-free, and designed for sensitive face and eye areas. They contain decongesting cornflower water and are said to remove all traces of make-up from the face, lips, and eyes. In addition, they are hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and ophthalmology tested.
SkinMedica offered its TNS Essential Serum, claimed to combine the brand’s patented growth factor serum, with TNS Recovery Complex, antioxidants, peptides, and other anti-aging ingredients. The blend, designed for all skin types, is to be applied to face, neck, and décolleté, morning and night, and is designed to regenerate the skin.
NeoStrata offered a new at-home Perfecting Peel, which is a high strength Alpha Hydroxy Acid Exfoliating Treatment; as well as its NeoStrata Skin Active four-product regimen, featuring Skin Active Exfoliating Wash, with soap-free surfactants and botanical complex, Skin Active Matrix Support SPF 20, with retinol, peptides and pomegranate, Skin Active Cellular Restoration, with apple stem cell extract and super fruit antioxidants and Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy, featuring hyaluronic acid, neoglucosamine and vitamin E.
Also featured were Klorane’s Soothing Make-Up Remover Biodegradable Wipes, which are fragrance- and paraben-free, and designed for sensitive face and eye areas. They contain decongesting cornflower water and are said to remove all traces of make-up from the face, lips, and eyes. In addition, they are hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and ophthalmology tested.
SkinMedica offered its TNS Essential Serum, claimed to combine the brand’s patented growth factor serum, with TNS Recovery Complex, antioxidants, peptides, and other anti-aging ingredients. The blend, designed for all skin types, is to be applied to face, neck, and décolleté, morning and night, and is designed to regenerate the skin.
NeoStrata offered a new at-home Perfecting Peel, which is a high strength Alpha Hydroxy Acid Exfoliating Treatment; as well as its NeoStrata Skin Active four-product regimen, featuring Skin Active Exfoliating Wash, with soap-free surfactants and botanical complex, Skin Active Matrix Support SPF 20, with retinol, peptides and pomegranate, Skin Active Cellular Restoration, with apple stem cell extract and super fruit antioxidants and Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy, featuring hyaluronic acid, neoglucosamine and vitamin E.
NeoStrata Skin Active Regimen |