Question 01

What was your intention behind creating Irene Forte Skincare, and how has building the brand shaped your life?

Irene Forte

I spent around eight years at Rocco Forte Hotels, where I oversaw the spa and wellness offering. It was during this time that the idea for Irene Forte Skincare began to take shape. I saw an opportunity to elevate natural, experiential skincare through scientific innovation, while building a brand rooted in sustainability. I had also always wanted to be an entrepreneur and carve out my own path.

With our organic farm in Sicily, I had a strong foundation. To bring my vision to life — skincare where nature is guided by science — I needed a leading scientific partner. After extensive research, I found Dottoressa Francesca Ferri, a pioneer in clean cosmetics and nutraceuticals with over 40 years of experience, whose philosophy aligned perfectly with mine.

Following four years of development, I launched a line of natural, plant-based, certified vegan formulations. Inspired by the Mediterranean diet and powered by ingredients from our Sicilian farm, the products are both clinically proven and scientifically backed. Texture and fragrance are also essential in spa environments, so we developed allergen-screened fragrances and ensured that every product is certified for sensitive skin. We want to transport you to the Mediterranean with every application.

Question 02

Sicily is such an important part of your story. How has your heritage and the landscape of Italy influenced the brand?

Irene Forte

As an Italian, it was important for me to create a brand that is authentically Italian — and we are proud to be 100% made in Italy.

Sicily is present in everything we do. It's reflected in the textures, the tones, and the stories behind each product. We source our principal ingredients from our organic farm in Sicily and work closely with local farmers and artisans, both for raw materials and elements of our packaging. We also proudly support the Sicily Environment Fund.

The island has also shaped our visual identity. The colours of our packaging mirror the landscape itself: the sea and sky, sunsets, soil, and nature. Our dark and light grey, stone-finish bottles echo volcanic rock and pebbled beaches, while our fragrances are designed to transport you to the Mediterranean — all carefully allergen-screened for sensitive skin.

This philosophy of longevity underpins everything we do — for the skin, the body, and the planet.

Question 03

What inspires you most about your brand — and what would you like to leave with our audience about living with purpose and caring for yourself well?

Irene Forte

What inspires me most is the opportunity to create something that is both meaningful and effective — where nature, science, and wellbeing come together. I'm constantly inspired by our connection to Sicily and its slower, more mindful way of life. It's a reminder that true wellbeing comes from consistency, balance, and taking a more considered approach to how we live.

Question 04

What is the most recent wellness practice you've gotten into, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?

Irene Forte

With two young children and running a business, it can be challenging to prioritise yourself — and in the past, I was probably able to do more. So for me, it's not about one specific practice, but rather focusing on simple, consistent habits.

I try to get outside and walk whenever I can, eat a balanced Mediterranean diet, go to bed early enough, and fit in exercise where possible. I also make sure to maintain a consistent skincare routine, morning and evening — always a joyful, relaxing moment in my day. I find that taking a realistic, balanced approach like this is what makes the biggest difference over time.

Question 05

What does your skincare regimen look like right now, and has it shifted with the season or your travel schedule?

Irene Forte

I try to keep a consistent routine despite travel — sachets and travel sizes definitely help. My regime doesn't change dramatically with the seasons, but I do make a few adjustments depending on the weather and how my skin is feeling.

Step 01 · Cleanse

In both the morning and evening, I begin by cleansing with my Almond Cleansing Milk — a sulphate-free, cream-based cleanser that's perfect for my skin. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and other calming, soothing ingredients. I love how it cleanses without stripping the skin, and I always use lukewarm water to help protect the skin's natural barrier. As we move into the warmer months, I tend to double cleanse.

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Irene Forte

Almond Cleansing Milk

Step 02 · Tone

Next, I use the Helichrysum Hydrating Toner, spritzing it onto my skin and gently pressing it in. I find this step particularly helpful for keeping hormonal breakouts and rosacea under control.

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Irene Forte

Helichrysum Hydrating Toner

Step 03 · Serum

For serums, I use the Hibiscus Serum in the morning to target fine lines and wrinkles, with ingredients including neuropeptide Myoxinol and Green Pea Polypeptides. In the evening, I apply the rich Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum, which contains our patented Phytomelatonin extract and is proven to target six signs of ageing. In warmer weather, I tend to use this richer serum more selectively in the evening while continuing with the Hibiscus Serum morning and night.

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Irene Forte

Hibiscus Serum

Irene Forte

Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum

Step 04 · Eye

For the eye area, I use the Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Eye Cream both morning and evening, proven to target key signs of ageing with ingredients including Phyto-Exosomes. During the day, particularly in warmer months, I sometimes switch to the Olive Hydrating Eye Cream, which is lighter but still deeply hydrating, with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

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Irene Forte

Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Eye Cream

Step 05 · Moisturize

For moisturiser, I use the Hibiscus Night Cream both morning and evening. It contains the neuropeptide Myoxinol and is proven to deliver visible age-defying results in just 10 days. If my skin feels like it needs something lighter as the temperature rises, I switch to the Prickly Pear Face Cream.

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Irene Forte

Hibiscus Night Cream

Irene Forte

Prickly Pear Face Cream

Question 06

Many clean beauty consumers are cautious about fragrance in skincare. How does Irene Forte approach fragrance in a way that balances sensorial luxury with ingredient integrity?

Irene Forte

It's a very valid concern, and something we take extremely seriously. As a spa-born brand, sensorial experience has always mattered to us — we want each application to feel transportive, like a moment in the Mediterranean. However, we will always prioritise skin health and integrity first.

Rather than using essential oils to fragrance our products, as many natural brands do, we take a more refined approach. Essential oils naturally contain common fragrance allergens and can be irritating for some skin types. All of our fragrances are allergen-screened and used at very low levels, ensuring they enhance the experience without compromising skin compatibility. This approach has allowed us to dermatologically test and certify our products for sensitive skin.

We also recognise that not every product needs a sensorial element, so we offer a number of fragrance-free options where appropriate.