Jane Wurwand
Jane Wurwand is the founder and chief visionary of Dermalogica, the world's leading professional skincare brand. Born in Edinburgh and trained as a cosmetologist, she built the company from a small LA classroom in 1986 into a global brand that's trained over 100,000 skin therapists.
Jane Wurwand's Bio
Jane Wurwand is the Co-Founder and Chief Visionary of Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute, the brands that revolutionized professional skincare. Born in Edinburgh and raised in England, she moved to California at 24 and saw a severe lack of proper skin therapy training.
In 1986, at 28, Wurwand bootstrapped Dermalogica with $14,000 of her own savings, refusing to use common irritants. She founded the company alongside her husband, creating both the product line and the training academy that would eventually educate over 100,000 skin therapists worldwide.
Under her leadership, Dermalogica grew from a small Los Angeles classroom into a global empire, with products now sold in more than 80 countries. The brand became the world's number one professional skincare brand, building a billion-dollar business that remained privately held. Her passion for education never wavered—the International Dermal Institute continues to set the global standard for skincare training.
Wurwand has been recognized on Forbes' 50 Over 50 list and remains an active voice in entrepreneurship and beauty industry ethics. Today, she mentors emerging founders and leads the nonprofit Foundation _FoundLA, continuing her mission to empower others through education and ethical enterprise.
Career Timeline
1983 — Founded The International Dermal Institute
Began offering $10 skin care classes to fellow cosmetologists in Los Angeles, launching the world's leading professional skin therapy training academy.
1986 — Founded Dermalogica
Bootstrapped the skincare company with $14,000 of personal savings, creating products free of common irritants like lanolin, SD alcohol, mineral oil, and artificial fragrances.
2012 — CEO/Business Owner of the Year at Los Angeles Business Journal
Recognized as part of the publication's annual 'Women Who Make a Difference' program.
2014 — CEW Achiever Award at Cosmetic Executive Women
Received the CEW Achiever Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the beauty industry.
2015 — Dermalogica Acquired by Unilever
Dermalogica was acquired by multinational consumer goods company Unilever, while Wurwand remained as Co-Founder and Chief Visionary.
2016 — Legend of Beauty Award at Beauty Industry West
Honored with the Legend of Beauty Award for her lasting impact on the professional skincare industry.
2016 — Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship at U.S. Government
Appointed as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, advising on policies to support entrepreneurs worldwide.
2018 — Founded Wurwand Foundation / FOUND/LA
Launched the Wurwand Foundation with husband Raymond, including FOUND/LA initiative to provide funding, mentorship, and education to underserved entrepreneurs in Los Angeles.
2018 — Lifetime Achiever Award at CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women)
Received the Lifetime Achiever Award from CEW in recognition of her decades-long leadership and innovation in beauty.
