Our latest Beauty Boss is Irene Forte, Founder of Irene Forte Skincare—a skincare line that features natural, clinically-proven formulations inspired by the Mediterranean diet, using ingredients grown at their organic farm in Sicily. With family roots in Italy, Forte has spent a lot of time there since childhood, and over the years realized that Sicily’s rich organic ingredients and the fresh produce of Verdura Resort’s organic farm were ideal for formulating skincare.

Irene Forte Skincare products focus on locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients that are either grown on Verdura’s organic farm or come from reputable farmers in other parts of Sicily or the region of Trentino. Each ingredient provides skin with vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants that nourish, rejuvenate, and protect skin—pairing fragrance and feel while also offering skin benefits that are measurable in clinical trials.

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As a Certified B Corp, the brand’s business model is intentionally designed to benefit the environment, community, customers, and employees. The products’ inner and outer boxes are made from paper with 100% recycled fibers, they use vegetable-based inks, and their bottles and jars are recyclable glass. The company has partnered with First Mile to develop a complimentary and stress-free system for recycling product refills as well as lids and pumps for select non-refillable products; learn more here.

Irene Forte Spa also offers advanced facials and body treatments at Villa Igiea, a palatial property in Sicily, that fuses the regenerative powers of nature and science. Their proprietary skincare products and treatments feature nourishing Sicilian botanicals harvested from Verdura Resort’s organic farm while the scent of orange blossoms fill the air.

Spa Profile: Irene Forte Spa, Palermo

We chatted with Forte who shared her favorite beauty and wellness tips, secrets for success, best advice, and much more.

When was Irene Forte Skincare founded and what’s the meaning behind the name?

Irene Forte Skincare was founded in December 2018, initially exclusively for Rocco Forte Hotels spas. The name is my name, so it is an eponymous brand name.

Irene Forte Skincare products feature natural, clinically-proven formulations inspired by the Mediterranean diet, using ingredients grown at their organic farm in Sicily.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

While I was overseeing wellness for Rocco Forte Hotels, I saw the opportunity for natural and experiential formulations to be improved by scientific insight, and I started to think about uniting the group’s spas with a product range. 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 knew 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 at Rocco Forte Spas, we launched:

Natural, clinically-proven formulations inspired by the Mediterranean diet, using ingredients grown at our organic farm in Sicily.
Products that combine outstanding fragrance and feel with low allergenic potential (we use a lab-formulated allergen-screened fragrance, and the products are certified for sensitive skin).
A brand with sustainability at its heart (we are B Corp certified and accredited by Positive Luxury).

The proprietary range achieves outstanding results with natural, vegan ingredients in formulations shaped by 35 years of skincare research and development.

Does Irene Forte Skincare have a hero product?

Our top-selling product is the Hibiscus Night Cream. We achieved outstanding consumer trial results on this product in just 10 days; skin was more hydrated, looked years younger, healthier, and more restored. It contains Myoxinol™, a fantastic bio-peptide which smooths wrinkles, and indeed this product is clinically proven to visibly smooth wrinkles. The Tetra-Ceramide Complex replenishes the skin's barrier to reduce dryness, while the Green Pea Polypeptides encourage collagen and elastin synthesis. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin to full plumpness.

What are your favorite products from your brand?

I love all the products for different reasons. However, if pressed, I would probably say my favorite is the Hibiscus Night Cream. I also now cannot live without the Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum, which we recently launched. I apply this before the Hibiscus Night Cream in the evening. It contains a patented extract of Phytomelatonin at 70%—an ingredient discovered by our Scientific Director that has been shown to triple skin cell vitality, regenerate, and act as a super antioxidant. We have fantastic clinical trials on the final product, showing a reduction in key signs of aging, as well as a soothing and calming effect on the skin.

Our other two Myoxinol™ products, Hibiscus Serum and Prickly Pear Face Cream, are also fantastic and a great day-time duo. The Hibiscus Serum contains a unique combination of Green Pea Polypeptides and a novel Tetrapeptide, which work with Myoxinol™, to help boost collagen and elastin for visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles. A multi-molecular hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps, while omega-rich olive oil and a Tetra-Ceramide Complex nourish and protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Sealing the Hibiscus Serum during the day with the Prickly Pear Face Cream achieves great results. As well as anti-wrinkle Myoxinol™, the Prickly Pear Face Cream contains Prickly Pear Polysaccharides that have been discovered to have potent antioxidant activity and to calm the skin. They also act like hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin. Olive oil and rice fractions, rich in skin-enhancing nutrients, and a multi-vitamin supplement (A, Pro-B5, C, and E) provide additional antioxidant activity as they nourish and protect.

Along with Scientific Director Dr. Francesca Ferri, a pioneer in the medical use of plant extracts to treat skin conditions, Forte has introduced novel ingredients in products with profound results.

Where are your products sold?

On our website and and in the U.S. we're predominantly with Bluemercury, CosBar, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Future plans for the brand?

My focus this year is to build on our growing momentum and to continue expanding across the U.S. and Europe. My goal is for Irene Forte Skincare to be recognized as THE natural, Italian brand that is performance proven while keeping sustainability at its heart.

We’re working on a number of exciting new product launches. Following the successful launch of our Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum with Dr. Ferri's 70% APM™ (Alpine Plant Melatonin), we're launching two oils (face and body) with this proprietary Phytomelatonin ingredient. We're also launching two more consumer-trial-backed body oils to strengthen our body and spa offering.

We're continuing to grow our portfolio of spas and have some exciting U.S. spa expansions. We're also continuing to open Irene Forte Spas across Italy and have some exciting new launches in 2025. And more generally, we’re growing very quickly, so I’m just excited about scaling our team and all the various projects we’re working on.

Who inspires you?

So many people that it's hard to list them all. However, Dr. Ferri, our Scientific Director, has been inspiring me since I first met her in 2014. She has been formulating for over 35 years and continues to work with the same amount of enthusiasm, energy and passion today. She discovered the medical benefits of extracts from Mahonia Aquifolium in the treatment of dermatitis and psoriasis.

She developed a methodology for extracting resveratrol from red grapes, which has pronounced antioxidant activity and is used in the treatment of psoriasis and dermatitis. She developed an innovative dermatological line using avenanthramides, vitamin E and vitamin F to treat atopic dermatitis. She discovered a way to extract melatonin from plants and thanks to this we have been able to launch the Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum.

As the Wellness Consultant of Rocco Forte Hotels and an Advisory Board Member of the Global Wellness Summit, Forte has always understood the importance of a holistic approach to beauty.

Beauty secrets?

I always say that great skin is about having a 360-degree “wellness” approach:

Sleep: I try to sleep 8.5 hours per night (although that has been slightly affected since I had my daughter), and I never jeopardize sleep for work. For great tips on sleep, I read “Why We Sleep?” by Matthew Walker.
Diet: I believe having a healthy and balanced diet is vital for both mind and body. I’ve grown up on a Mediterranean diet, so lots of fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. Hence why I also like to talk about feeding the skin and having the Mediterranean diet for skin. I also drink almost at least three liters of water today.
Exercise: Endorphins, blood flow, healthy joints. I try to do something at least three times per week.
Meditation: There are so many scientific studies showing the benefits of meditation, such as reducing cortisol and adrenaline, and replacing it with dopamine and serotonin. I did a Vedic meditation course (comes from the Veda, the source of yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic medicine in India). I’m not great at doing this daily, but it’s a useful tool when I’m under high stress.
Skincare Regime/Rituals: I, of course, have a great skincare routine with Irene Forte Skincare, and do regular facials and at-home rituals. I believe in using skincare that is backed by science, with clinical and consumer trials to prove it. I also believe in products that provide the skin with a wealth of the highest-quality ingredients including biomimetics (like hyaluronic acid, ceramides), vitamins (especially vitamin E), fatty acids (omegas), and antioxidants (like glutathione). These ingredients need to be included in a formula in a scientifically balanced way, and not just thrown in for the sake of it, or for marketing purposes. I also believe in using skincare that is kind on the skin (hence why all our products are certified for sensitive skin) and maintains healthy skin balance. I don’t believe in using products that are a faddy quick fix or overly harsh, damaging the skin microbiome or compromising our skin barrier.

Some of my latest beauty hacks include:

Using our Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum as an eye serum under our Olive Eye Cream. The unique triple weight blend is clinically proven to immediately plump the skin and hydrate the skin over 12 hours. It absorbs immediately, so it’s amazing pre make-up, and also helps prevent the area under your eyes looking cracked with makeup. I also carry this 15ml product in my handbag and reapply on my whole face throughout the day if my skin needs a little boost. It’s water-based and works wonderfully over makeup.
Doing a pre-cleanse some mornings when my skin needs an added boost. This involves a face massage “cleanse” using my Rose Face Oil. It's a lightweight and fast-absorbing oil, which contains 30% stabilized vitamin E to soften and moisturize the skin, and a powerful blend omega-rich oil (3, 6, and 9) that condition and protect. Before washing my face in the morning, I apply the oil directly on my skin using effleurage sweeping movements. I then do a little “face workout” with deep circles, knuckling, and some lymphatic movements. This helps to stimulate circulation, lift, and sculpt the face; it also boosts the lymphatic system, eliminating toxins, and de-puffing the face. I then follow with my usual A.M. routine, so cleansing (Almond Cleansing Milk and Helichrysum Toner), followed by serum, eye cream, and moisturizer.

Irene Forte Skincare products combine outstanding fragrance and feel with low allergenic potential and proven effectiveness.

Secret to success?

Passion for what I do. Perseverance and resilience. Surrounding myself with the right support network. Having a team that I can rely on, trust, and that complements my own skill set. Learning to take criticism and adapt things following feedback.

Best advice?

My father has always told me that the business world is tough and without working hard and giving it your all, you will never succeed.

Favorite way to relax?

By watching football (soccer). I'm an avid Chelsea fan and go to the games regularly. This really helps me switch off!

For more information about Irene Forte Skincare, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @ireneforteskincare

[Images courtesy of Irene Forte Skincare]

Beauty Boss: Irene Forte, Founder of Irene Forte Skincare