From Farm to Face: Irene Forte on Her Eponymous Skincare Brand
By
Olivia Bennett
on
30th October 2025
Olivia Bennett meets with Irene Forte to discuss show she bottles the Sicilian countryside in her eponymous skincare brand.
“We are an Italian luxury natural skincare brand that’s backed by 40 years of research,” Irene Forte tells me. Her vision for her eponymous skincare brand, which launched in 2018, is crystal-clear. This laser-sharp focus is working, with the brand is on track to grow by 100% this year.
As part of the esteemed Forte dynasty, the beauty founder previously held the position of wellness director of Rocco Forte Hotels. Immersed in the family business, she believes this experience was “instrumental” in launching Irene Forte Skincare. She witnessed how many of the luxury hotel group’s spas were using different skincare giants to power their treatments.
Wanting to create unity across the portfolio, the idea for her own brand was born: “I started thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to use the ingredients on Verdura farm in Sicily. I’d worked there during my year out from university, so I was very attached to the place, and it’s home to our biggest spa.”
Products combine high-grade natural ingredients with cutting-edge science to adopt a holistic approach to beauty. Forte’s products target major skin concerns with results-driven formulations, while being soothing for sensitive skin types. “We always say you need science to get the best out of nature,” Forte explains.
She enlisted the help of Dr Francesca Ferri as scientific director to bring her vision to fruition. Dr Ferri brings 40 years of experience to the table, with a focus on organic cosmetics. Before launch, the products were meticulously tested across the Rocco Forte spas: “We initially thought we were going to do eight products as a signature protocol; eventually eight products turned into 26,” Forte laughs.
Irene Forte Skincare is a love letter to Italian craftsmanship, formulated and packaged on home soil. The organic farm at Verdura Resort is a constant source of inspiration, according to Forte. “We have thousands of olive trees from which we produce our olive oil that goes into the products. We have a lot of aloe vera to make aloe leaf juice. We have almond trees that we make sweet almond oil from, as well,” she tells The Sybarite.
Forte waxes lyrical about the skin-boosting properties of these natural ingredients: “The plant oils are rich in omegas three, six and nine. They are very hydrating, very nourishing and protecting. Aloe leaf juice is also very soothing and hydrating.”
Produce that cannot be harvested from the farm is sourced from trusted local Sicilian producers, from wine makers to pistachio farmers. She sources antioxidant-rich polysaccharides derived from prickly pear, which she describes as “the plant version of hyaluronic acid, anti-inflammatory, so great for anti-redness.”
Forte is exacting about the potency of her products. Since the brand’s inception, the original 26 products have been streamlined and reformulated for optimum results. The Hibiscus Night Cream, with its hydrating, nourishing and smoothing properties, is one of their bestsellers. It is an efficacious elixir that mimics the results of Botox, thanks to Myoxinol, a trademarked neuropeptide derived from hibiscus seeds.
“It’s proven to achieve age- defying results in 10 days,” says Forte. “In trials on Myoxinol, it was shown to actually perform better than a muscle relaxant to relax the muscles in the face.”
Another ultra-intelligent formulation is Forte’s Phytomelatonin Rejuvenating Serum, which took four years to create. Patented by Dr Ferri, it contains an extract for alpine plant melatonin. According to Forte, the extract has been shown to improve skin vitality, reduce signs of ageing and minimise redness. “It’s a great alternative to retinol for someone that has sensitive skin; just pat one drop into skin, then seal with night cream,” Forte advises.
The rest of 2025 promises to be exciting and busy for the beauty maven. She has new product developments in the works, a push to expand the wholesale side of the business, and an overhaul of the spa at The Balmoral, Rocco Forte’s Edinburgh hotel. The spa upgrade plans include combining ritualistic treatments based around Irene Forte
Skincare’s multi-sensorial products with cutting edge technology. “There’s a whole Forte Vita bar concept, so that includes hair, express facials and nails,” Forte explains. “You can kind of get everything done at once, which is my dream, because I never have any time.”
Whether it’s a manicure with flair, a glow-inducing facial, or a much-needed skin reset, Lax. Retreat blends modern treatments with an Instagram-worthy aesthetic that makes self-care feel like an experience, not just an appointment.
