INTERVIEW
SkinCeuticals International General Manager Leslie Harris on breaking new ground in aesthetic skincare
In this interview, SkinCeuticals International General Manager Leslie Harris pays homage to Dr. Sheldon Pinnell’s lasting legacy. She also discusses SkinCeuticals’ ‘Prevent, Correct and Protect’ ethos and the anti-oxidising power of the brand’s latest innovation, Silymarin CF.
Introduction: “Good science takes time, but it results in great products that can transform skin without compromising safety or quality.” So says SkinCeuticals International General Manager Leslie Harris who discusses the powerful science-based ethos that informs every major SkinCeuticals launch. “Many skincare companies make powerful claims — sometimes too good to be true — but they don’t invest in the studies and science to back it up,” Harris adds. “We actually do this, which is why we launch only one to two products a year.” Built on Dr. Sheldon Pinnell’s game-changing antioxidant research, SkinCeuticals has led the way in the field of aesthetic dermatology. This dedication to data, science and efficacy is carried on by Harris who has been charged with driving SkinCeuticals recovery and opening a new chapter for the world’s number one medical aesthetic skincare brand.
“With the world coming out of a two-year lockdown, our priority as a brand is to be there for physicians, patients and consumers as they return to their new lives,” she explains.
“We want to help more dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic physicians build their practices, and to help more patients and consumers look and feel incredible, no matter their concerns and where they are in their skincare journey.”
Leslie Harris: “Dr. Pinnell’s legacy instilled a commitment in us to lead with the science”
The Moodie Davitt Report: SkinCeuticals was founded on the pioneering skincare research of Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. In what ways is SkinCeuticals still breaking new ground in skincare science today?
Leslie Harris: Dr. Sheldon Pinnell’s background as a dermatologist, chemist, and professor at Duke University created a strong legacy of breaking new ground. Dr. Pinnell was among the first to study the science of antioxidants and skin, particularly pure vitamin C. He was among the first to bring an academic approach to skincare, grounded in research and proof, and apply rigorous testing standards focused on clinical end points and mechanism of action. He was also one of the first to bring skincare to physicians’ offices, so that consumers would learn the best way to care of their unique skin concerns. Years later, we maintain this commitment to science, proof, and professionalism in everything we do: from breaking new ground in antioxidant science to developing new technologies and professional corrective treatments. Good science takes time, but it results in great products that can transform skin without compromising safety or quality.
Many skincare companies make powerful claims — sometimes too good to be true — but they don’t invest in the studies and science to back it up. We actually do this, which is why we launch only one or two products a year.
Could you tell us more about SkinCeuticals’ latest innovation – the Silymarin CF?
Silymarin CF is the result of over six years of research into the science of antioxidants and blemish-prone skin. It’s common skin knowledge that free radicals (sometimes called oxidation) can damage and prematurely age skin, but did you know that they can also lead to blemishes? This is because the oxidation of sebum (particularly in the presence of environmental aggressors such as sun and pollution) creates inflammation and a perfect environment for acne to develop. Dr. Pinnell studied silymarin early on, and our studies demonstrated that silymarin is highly effective against oil oxidation. Through our numerous clinical studies worldwide we found that Silymarin CF, which also includes pure vitamin C, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid, reduces oiliness and blemishes in skin. It also delivers the brightening and corrective benefits of our existing SkinCeuticals vitamin C formulations.
Let’s explore the SkinCeuticals’ ‘Prevent, Correct and Protect’ ethos and how it informs your product strategy.
This ethos of Prevent, Correct, and Prevent comes directly from the prescription of US dermatologists and skin professionals. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, there are three must-haves: antioxidants to prevent against free radical damage, corrective treatments to address the damage or skin concerns you have, and sunscreen to protect healthy skin. This regimen is like making sure you eat your fruits and vegetables. And if you really want to look and feel even better? We recommend a 4th step in your regimen – a professional!
SkinCeuticals is the number one medi-cosmetic brand in the world. What is the key to the respect in which it is held by dermatologists, aestheticians, and plastic surgeons?
We are very grateful to be the #1 medical aesthetic skincare brand worldwide. I believe that professionals around the world appreciate our products because of the science and rigorous testing behind them. Many skincare companies make powerful claims — sometimes too good to be true — but they don’t invest in the studies and science to back it up. We actually do this, which is why we launch only one or two products a year. As I mentioned earlier, good science takes time! Dr. Pinnell’s legacy instilled a commitment in us to lead with the science, and I think that physicians appreciate this dedication. It translates to formulas they can trust, and to patients who are satisfied. The best compliments I receive? Those are from physicians who tell me they use our products for their own skin!
Prevent, Correct and Protect: like making sure you eat your fruits and vegetables
Tell us more about your partnership with ReSurge International and how SkinCeuticals hopes to pave the way for women surgeons globally.
Our partnership with ReSurge International came out of a desire to support physicians who were doing impactful work in their communities. ReSurge International is a global non-profit dedicated to training reconstructive plastic surgeons in low-income countries. We were struck by these two statistics: five billion people in the world lack access to safe and timely surgical care and there are only three women surgeons for every one million people in low-income countries. How can this be when women hold up half the sky? Well, there are unique barriers to women entering and staying in the field of reconstructive medicine, and we wanted to help change this status quo. Together with ReSurge International, we created the Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery project, dedicated to in-country surgical training, leadership development, and mentorship support for first-generation female reconstructive surgeons. Having more women in the field of reconstructive surgery globally means life-changing surgery for more survivors of burns, trauma, and congenital conditions. The beauty of the programme and ReSurge’s model is that we train these physicians in their local countries, so they can train and mentor the next generation of women surgeons and so on. This creates a ripple effect that will benefit thousands of patients in the future.
Dr. Pinnell’s legacy instilled a commitment in us to lead with the science, and I think that physicians appreciate this dedication. It translates to formulas they can trust, and to patients who are satisfied. The best compliments I receive? Those are from physicians who tell me they use our products for their own skin!
How do you see the role of travel retail for the brand?
SkinCeuticals’ uniqueness is its authentic professional heritage and approach. We hope that our presence in travel retail helps us to be a matchmaker between professionals and consumers who seek professional-grade results they can trust.
And finally, your key priorities for the year ahead?
With the world coming out of a two-year lockdown, our priority as a brand is to be there for physicians, patients, and consumers as they return to their new lives. We want to help more dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic physicians build their practices, in order to help more patients and consumers look and feel incredible, no matter their concerns and where they are in their skincare journey.
