International Women's Day: Meet Jan Marini

For International Women’s Day, I was lucky enough to catch up with a hand-picked selection of women in beauty who personally inspire me the most.

In my opinion, as someone who is overly interested in the health of the skin and treating concerns, we owe it to these women who have professionally developed expert skincare brands. Our skin has a lot to be thankful for!

Here, I talk to Jan Marini, CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc.

Question: What encouraged you to be where you are today?

I came from an extremely disadvantaged background. As a result, I have always had a tremendous drive and energy to succeed and improve my circumstances. Secondarily, my passion for skincare research and development and education has been a major factor

Question: What has been your proudest career achievement?

Back in 1989, when I ran my previous company, MD Formulations/MD Forte, I pioneered the physician dispensing market. At that time, doctors did not dispense skincare from their practices. In-office dispensing has impacted the skincare market immeasurably. It has also opened the door for technologies that have true validation and efficacy, not just “hope in a bottle”.

Along with that, developing proprietary skincare technologies that have changed people’s lives has given me enormous satisfaction.

Question: Who is your biggest female inspiration?

Estee Lauder. She had everything going against her and almost insurmountable challenges. She was a single mother struggling to survive, who established a brand and a retail concept that became the standard model for all retail worldwide. No one since has come close to her monumental influence on this industry.

Question: In your opinion, what makes a woman beautiful?

I believe that today, the perception of beauty is broader and more varied than in any time in history. Beauty can be perfect facial symmetry or it can be the charm of a smile with a major gap between front teeth. It can be an attitude of edginess and abandonment of fashion rules or it can be a studied, put together elegance.

It’s an attitude, its grace, its rebellion, it’s following the rules and, it’s breaking the rules. No one can define beauty because it is no longer dictated as to how we should judge beauty. What do you find beautiful, compelling and inspirational?

That’s what makes up the definition of beauty, it is truly “in the eye of the beholder”.

Find out more about the Jan Marini skincare range here