Irene Forte, from the Rocco Forte Hotel family, is the creator of her eponymous skincare line, Irene Forte Skincare. The line is inspired by Sicily’s rich agriculture, where one of her family’s hotels, Verdura Resort, is located. Her products are made with ingredients directly sourced from their organic farm.
Driven by her passion for wellness, Irene recognized a rising demand for clean, natural skincare. She saw the potential to combine natural ingredients with scientific innovation to achieve exceptional results. We asked Irene a few questions to learn more.
What led you to establish Irene Forte Skincare, and how did your background in the luxury hospitality industry influence the brand?
My journey into skincare really began through wellness. Working with Rocco Forte Hotels, I was deeply involved in developing our spas and wellness offering (amongst other things). I spent a lot of time in our hotel in Sicily — Verdura Resort — where I saw first-hand the incredible raw materials the island has to offer: organic olives, lemons, almonds, pistachios, etc. I wanted to create a skincare line that brought together the science of performance skincare with the authenticity and richness of Mediterranean wellness traditions. My background in luxury hospitality taught me the importance of delivering a complete experience rooted in quality, care, and a deep connection to place — and that ethos runs through everything we do at Irene Forte Skincare.
How has your heritage influenced your brand’s identity and ingredient sourcing?
My Italian heritage is central to everything we do, especially Sicily. It’s where our Organic Farm is based and where we source many of our ingredients. There’s a deep cultural respect for the land in Sicily, and a long-standing tradition of using natural remedies and local ingredients for health and beauty — something I’ve always wanted to celebrate through the brand.
I created Irene Forte Skincare to be modern and effective, while staying true to these time-honoured Mediterranean values. Everything is 100% made in Italy, and I love being able to support local farmers and artisans through our production. We’ve also started working with the Sicily Environment Fund, which supports local biodiversity and sustainability initiatives — a cause that’s really close to my heart.
Why was it important to you to source locally and sustainably?
Sustainability isn’t just a trend — it’s a responsibility — and that’s why we are BCorp certified. For me, sourcing locally goes beyond reducing our carbon footprint; it’s about supporting Italian and Sicilian communities and creating a true circular economy. Our key ingredients are grown on our organic farm in Sicily or sourced from nearby ethical producers — like organic white wine from the Di Giovanna vineyard, pistachio oil from a local farmer, and water from the Madonie Regional Natural Park.
All our packaging is produced in Italy, and we collaborate with local artisans — our spatulas are handcrafted from sustainable olive wood, and our watercolor liners are hand-painted by a local artist. Our boxes and liners are made from 100% recycled fibers, and our glass bottles contain 31% post-industrial recycled glass. All our 30ml and 50ml products are refillable, and we offer a recycling scheme for the refills. On the formulation side, we use green science to ensure our products are both effective and environmentally responsible. From farm to formula to final packaging, sustainability is part of our brand’s DNA.
What’s your favorite thing about spending time in the Hamptons?
There’s something incredibly peaceful about the Hamptons — the light, the sea air, the slower pace. I spent quite a bit of time in Sag Harbor a few years ago, but I haven’t been back since, so I’m really looking forward to spending time in the Hamptons this summer.
Are there any new products or innovations coming up that you’d like to share with us?
Yes, we’re always innovating, but I’m very intentional about what we launch — it has to serve a real need, fit within our range, and bring something new to the table. I don’t believe in launching products just for the sake of it. Without giving too much away, we’re currently focusing on the eye and lip areas. We’re also exploring green biotechnology and advanced delivery systems that boost efficacy without compromising on the sensorial experience — something that’s really important to us.