Inspired by Sicily and with ingredients handpicked from Verdura Resort’s organic farm, Irene Forte Skincare has been painstakingly developed over three years. Named after its founder, Rocco Forte Hotels Wellness Director Irene Forte, Irene Forte Skincare is a multi-benefit, natural and sustainable skincare brand that is the Mediterranean diet for your skin. Here, Irene Forte introduces the brand, and her secret to glowing skin.
Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind Irene Forte Skincare?
“I realised that Sicily’s rich ingredients and the abundance of Verdura’s organic farm made for the perfect base for a skincare line. Inspired by Sicily’s authenticity and beautiful nature, I knew that I wanted to create a nutritious and natural skincare line that was sustainable in its entire life cycle. I was also influenced by Sicilian handicrafts, wanting to ensure that my products were handmade and that my treatments focused on the power of touch.”
What do you think makes Sicilian ingredients special?
“The Mediterranean diet has been long considered the healthiest diet to follow—and I strongly believe that it is also the healthiest diet for your skin. We have some amazing ingredients in Sicily that really work wonders on the skin. Some of my favourites include Prickly Pear (considered a plant-origin Hyaluronic Acid and the latest super food, which is rich in Vitamins K, E and C); Hibiscus (known as the ‘botox plant’ and loaded with Alpha Hydroxy Acids); Pomegranate (rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are strong antioxidants for the skin); Olive Oil (rich in polyphenols and Vitamin E); and much more… We have 75 active ingredients across our entire line that boast serious skin-boosting benefits.”
What products would you recommend for those looking to begin a new beauty regime in 2019?
“Like any new year’s resolution, I would recommend starting off with a few simple steps. Start with a cleanser (such as our Almond Cleansing Milk or Lavender & Rosemary Foam Cleanser), follow with our Hibiscus Serum and finish with the Hydrating Aloe Vera Face Cream, Balancing Lavender & Rosemary Face Cream or the Age-Defying Prickly Pear Face Cream, depending on your skin type.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can then add in a few extra steps for maximum results. I’d recommended adding our Lemon or Helichrysum Hyaluronic Toner to your steps, applied after cleansing, as well our Almond Eye Cream, applied after serum. I would also recommend adding a few drops of either our Rose Face Oil or Orange Blossom Face Oil to your moisturiser. The Hyaluronic Acid Vials are also a great alternative addition to your face cream. For weekly maintenance, I would do our Almond Face Scrub or Apricot Face Peel and one of our three face masks, each of which deals with specific skin concerns such as balancing, brightening the skin.”
And which products are best for beating jetlag and dehydrated skin from travelling on airplanes?
“As someone who travels a lot, I’ve learnt that hydration is the key to avoiding the tell-tale signs of long-haul travel and jet lag. I like to layer ingredients to ensure minimal moisture loss and maximum nourishment, so I’ll start with a serum on my bare skin during the flight, add our divine smelling Rose Face Oil and follow with the super-hydrating Hibiscus Night Cream. When I feel like looking extra silly on a flight, I will use the Pistachio Face Mask on long-haul flights. I’m also never without our Pistachio Lip Balm—it’s deliciously addictive.”
Which signature treatments are you most proud of at any of our Rocco Forte Hotels?
“I really love the Age-Defying Etna Facial as it hot and cold volcanic stones directly sourced from Mount Etna and includes a double mask application as well as our signature triple facial massage technique, which guarantee visibly firmer skin and radiant results.
For the body, our Mediterranean Nourishing Body Treatment is my secret to super-soft, smooth skin. This treatment involves a full body double exfoliation with our Apricot Body Scrub, followed by the Trapani Sea Salt Body Scrub, a nourishing massage using Sicilian oils, and is finished with a moisture-locking layer of White Wine Body Cream.”
If you had to choose just one product to take away with you when you travel, what would it be?
“This feels a bit like picking a favourite child but if pressed I’d probably go for our Hibiscus Night Cream, which is my ultimate skin saviour as it’s loaded with ultra-hydrating, skin softening ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and ceramides.”
To experience Irene Forte Skincare at one of our wonderful Forte Spas, email enquiries@roccofortehotels.com or call +44 (0)20 7321 2626.
Ormonde Jayne Founder and expert perfumier Linda Pilkington takes us around her favourite places in Mayfair, London's most fashionable neighbourhood
Famously known for its exceptional fashion scene, the legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci, fine cuisine and vibrant culture, Milan is an extraordinary city. The home to numerous renowned art-works such as Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Botticelli’s Madonna of the Book, but also to fashion legends such as Versace, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana.
Now, it is home to our latest opening, Rocco Forte House, an exclusive collection of 11 impeccably appointed apartments in a charming 19th-century palazzo. In the heart of Milan’s most fashionable neighbourhood, Quadrilato della Moda, this meticulously restored building is a haven of style.
After two decades of success with his innovative take on Japanese cuisine, international restaurateur Rainer Becker is bringing Zuma to Germany for the first time with a hotly anticipated summer pop-up at The Charles Hotel. Becker, who honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants in Germany before falling in love with Japanese food in Tokyo, returns to his native country 22 years after launching the first Zuma in London.
