This week we caught up with Dr Gary Goldfaden, founder of Goldfaden MD, and co-founders Lisa Goldfaden & Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden, to talk about the highly efficacious, non-prescription skincare brand that utilises state-of-the-art technologies with active plant cells and anti-oxidant rich botanicals.
What inspired you to start Goldfaden MD?
Dr Goldfaden: I have always been a creative yet clinical thinker when it comes to medical solutions, so problem-solving for my patients naturally steered me toward product development. I remember developing formulas for my wife and young children as they began to encounter various skin issues—it was a genuine and instinctive passion.
When I began practicing in the late 60’s, the anti-aging movement hadn’t really begun on a medical level, and most patients sought in-office procedures as the first line of defense. As I gained experience in private practice, I realized just how significant preventative at home skin care could be for my patients and how it could hopefully reduce their need for more extreme corrective measures in-office. There was a void in the skincare marketplace of products that delivered visible anti-aging benefits but that could be tolerated by sensitive, post-surgical, and allergic skin types. It was clear to me that the world needed a serious yet chemically clean line they could trust, and GOLDFADEN MD would be the answer.
What are the benefits of natural ingredients—inside and out?
Dr Goldfaden: Being aware of what you put in and on your body is crucial. Naturally sourced foods (meaning not processed, and free from pesticides or hormones) have the ability to offer a higher percentage of nutrients, vitamins and key antioxidants because there are no unnecessary preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics that can prevent the beneficial ingredients from leaving that specific product and also allows for maximum freshness of foods. Eating a diet of fresh, naturally grown or raised whole foods, is scientifically linked to decreasing risk of disease and increasing life span.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and studies have found that the skin can absorb up to about 60% of what we put on to it so it’s important to be familiar with what we are putting on our skin and stay away from harsh, toxic chemicals, colours, and fragrances. Chemicals, artificial colours, and fillers in skin care products and makeup can cause redness, irritation, and breakouts. Many people are even allergic to chemicals commonly found in conventionally produced products. Natural makeup, skin care products, and body products work with your skin instead of against it.
The integrity and purity in plant and botanically-derived ingredients—the high level of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, natural sugars, and more—provide a vital spectrum of benefits for the skin without being compromised by fillers and inactive ingredients which allow for the treatment actives to provide the most abundant of its treatment benefits within topical formulas.
Can you tell us how Goldfaden MD’s products target specific skin concerns? How are they unique compared to other products on the market?
Dr Goldfaden: I have focused on what I feel are the most important and often common skincare problems and built the range to allow consumers to address them at home and improve skin health long term. Superior formulations featuring naturally derived ingredients with effective delivery systems set the GOLDFADEN MD brand apart. We couple scientific, results driven products with globally sourced natural ingredients, bridging the “natural” and “physician” product categories at the prestige level in a way no other brand has.
What was your background before Goldfaden MD?
Lisa Goldfaden: My background is in Art and childhood education. I have a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art/Art History as well as a master’s degree in early childhood education. I previously worked at The Paley Center for Media where I was responsible for building out media-based curriculum for children ages kindergarten through high school. My art and education background prepared me not only to build a brand from the ground up but also how to communicate and educate the consumer.
What were some important lessons your father instilled in you that lead you into the wellness industry?
Lisa Goldfaden: For as long as I can remember I have been health focused. As children we were not allowed to have junk food, soda, sugar, or fast food. My father always taught us by example through eating habits and exercise routines. He was an avid racquet ball player and champion, so I spent many weekends watching him compete and learning the importance of exercise and how it relates to health. Naturally my brother and I both became involved in sports at a very young age and my father coached both our soccer and basketball teams. Juicing was also a big part of his post exercise routine and so I learned a great deal about vegetables, fruits, and supplements at a young age. I also watched my father get acupuncture and chiropractic adjustment, which I still partake in today. He always placed an importance on your health inside being as important as your health outside. You cannot really have one without the other.
What’s your go-to must-have Goldfaden MD product?
Lisa Goldfaden: Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes has always been my go-to eye cream as it is a true triple threat to all things aging. Bright Eyes helps with darkness, puffiness, and fine lines. A celebrity favorite and best seller.
I am also obsessed with our newest launch, Goldfaden MD Radiance Repair Serum. This serum gives skin a radiant, hydrated, soothed look and feel, while reducing the signs of aging and damaged caused by environmental stressors. Loaded with Sunflower Seed Oil (rich in linoleic acid), Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells, Baobab Oil (high in Vitamin C), skin-smoothing Niacinamide, Raspberry Seed Oil, Linseed Seed Oil and Bakuchiol Extract, a retinol-like ingredient. We spent years perfecting the formulation of this serum and it is like nothing I’ve ever used—and trust me, I’ve tried everything.
How did your passion for natural ingredients and beauty lead you to finding Goldfaden MD?
Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden: Health and wellness have always been a huge part of my life. And I’ve always felt that beauty - specifically products - is really an extension of our overall lifestyle in terms of what we are gravitate to, so I am focused on being what I call “naturally conscious” in every aspect of my life. This includes beauty products, household cleaning products, diet, what I feed my children, sleep and exercise.
When I first met my husband, Rob, he handed me this exfoliator in a lab sample jar and said, “would you try this, I am thinking about starting a skincare brand with my family, and this would be our lead product.” I of course instantly fell in love (first with the scrub, and later with him) and I saw the potential for an entire dermatologist-developed natural skincare brand, since this simply did not exist in the marketplace.
When did you join the company and how have you seen it grow with your involvement?
Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden: After a handful of years in advertising, working with global brands like Coca Cola, Volkswagon, and Method “non-toxic” personal care products, I wanted to follow something that I was deeply passionate about. I joined Goldfaden MD, over twelve years ago and it has been the most exciting and rewarding journey. Spearheading the sales of Goldfaden MD, we have been able to penetrate growth of the brand in over 400 retail doors, in over 8 countries, and a number of international distribution partners. It is a huge accomplishment and a true testament to the long-standing power that this brand has with our consumers worldwide. I am filled with excitement about what is coming next for the brand and to see it continue to flourish in both untapped markets abroad and building upon the success in our existing markets.
What’s your go-to must-have Goldfaden MD product?
Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden: Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub and Goldfaden MD Needle-Less. I just can’t live without them!