Dermalogica Products' story begins in 1986, when the founders of The International Dermal Institute (the postgraduate training facility for skin care professionals) decided to do something about the serious lack of results-driven products on the market.Researched and developed by The International Dermal Institute, Dermalogica shocked the market by refusing to use artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, S.D. alcohol, lanolin or mineral oil - all of which were industry favourites due to their low cost, despite links to numerous skin problems that were well understood. They also went a step further, insisting that all Dermalogica skin care professionals had to meet the highest level of training and expertise, ensuring that consumers could get reliable consultations about their skin concerns without falling prey to the hype and faddism that dominates the skin care industry.Dermalogica' S commitment to professional skin care continues today with its no-nonsense packaging, emphasis on skin care education and dedication to formulating products that deliver results, not ridiculous claims.
About Jane Wurwand
At age 13, Jane Wurwand had no time or patience for an identity crisis. "I knew from my first day as a Saturday girl," she recalls, "that this was my destiny." Being a "Saturday girl" meant sweeping up hair-cuttings in the local beauty shop in Bournemouth, the small English town where she grew up.
The Saturday buzz at the local hair salon was the defining experience. The shop's high-energy cocktail of flamboyant hairdressers, hilarious client dramas, trend-setting styles and grown-up camaraderie sealed Jane's lifelong love of the business when she traded in her broom to work the main floor as a shampoo-girl at 15 years of age. Duties which some teens might find tedious or menial instead ignited a fire in Jane. "It was love from day one," she says.
Jane then embarked upon what has become a lifetime of ongoing education, beginning with the intensive two years of study which are the norm in the United Kingdom for skin care therapists. From these humble beginnings, today Jane is redefining skin care. "We are not part of the beauty business," she says. "Skin care is not about beauty, nor is it about pampering, luxury or glamour. Taking care of your skin is like taking care of your teeth. It is a health necessity! And yes, you will look better as a result of doing it. But that's secondary. You take care of your health as part of overall wellness and well-being, and as part of your responsibility and good stewardship of yourself."
The creation of the Dermalogica product line followed in 1986, in response to the International Dermal Institute's curriculum; Jane was dissatisfied with the brands on the market at that time. Jane's vision was clear: a product line which was free of the common irritants which ultimately led to skin sensitization, and which was selected and recommended by a professional skin care therapist with the same care that a physician would prescribe medication. This meant eliminating mineral oil, S.D. alcohol, artificial colours, artificial fragrances, and lanolin - all accepted staple ingredients in many leading brands at the time. Ultimately, one forward-thinking chemist was able to produce the formulations to Jane's exacting standards. A few products were developed initially - Dermal Clay Cleanser, Active Moist, Skin Smoothing Cream, Special Cleansing Gel, Multi Active Toner - and the Dermalogica brand was born. The brand's best-sellers are among this now-classic group of cleansers, toners and moisturizers.
Today, Dermalogica Products address skin's every need, and enjoys a cult-like following among celebs and Hollywood makeup artists as well as thousands of skin care professionals in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Jane is the first to clarify, however, that great products are not enough. She refers to the experience of great skin care as "alchemy", and the professionals who pursue it as her "tribe." "The experience of being touched in a safe, non-threatening way is very powerful," she says, "and very healing. I truly believe that what we do as professionals touches the well-being of our clients in a very deep way, far beyond making their skin feel and look better."
Epitomizing the multi-tasker, Jane's other passions include cherishing her two young daughters, the family pets (a chocolate Labrador named Fudge, and a handsome tortoise named Fred), her garden, pursuing fitness, especially running, and the idea of the perfect margarita in Oaxaca.
Dermalogica Products' Foundation
Dermalogica believes in giving back to the community. In 1999, the Dermalogica Foundation was established to provide charitable contributions to local, "grass roots" organizations that primarily benefit women and children in need. Charities chosen by the Dermalogica Foundation are non-denominational and not supported by any major source of funding.
The Dermalogica Foundation represents everyone in the Dermalogica Products family. Each year a portion of the company's profits are put into the Foundation so that the Dermalogica family can make a difference in the community.