Brand Spotlight: Goldfaden MD

Dr G. - Brand founder, Dr. Gary Goldfaden has a love and passion for skincare, wellness and a healthy lifestyle. He has been a Dermatologist for over 40 years.

Lauren Wolk - Serving as the Vice President of Sales, Lauren has helped build GOLDFADEN MD into an internationally-recognized and well-respected naturally based skincare brand. Traveling the globe, Lauren visits both GOLDFADEN MD’s existing retail and new prospect accounts to continue the fast-track growth and awareness of the brand worldwide.

Lisa Goldfaden - Vice President of Marketing. As one of the faces behind the brand, Lisa spearheads brand training globally and focuses on strengthening brand relations, visiting and overseeing accounts and media, respectively

Your brand seems to be at the epicenter of nature and science, tell us a bit about how the two elements interplay and the motivation behind starting the brand.

Lisa // 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. We are the first dermatologist developed naturally inspired skincare brand and based on 40 plus years of in-office procedures at my father’s dermatology practice. We saw a huge gap in the marketplace and knew that we had to share these products on a retail public platform. Customers do not have to choose anymore between high performance and natural, we have bridged the gap for them.

Lauren // Our skin is the largest organ of our body and studies have found that the skin can absorb up to approximately 60% of what we put on it. We need to educate ourselves and be familiar with what we are actually putting on our skin. Chemicals, artificial colors, and fillers in skin care products and makeup can cause redness, irritation, and breakouts may lead to damaging effects longer-term. Naturally formulated products work with your skin instead of against it. Dr. Goldfaden sources highly active botanicals as these pure, plant botanicals provide the highest level of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that the skin needs and provides a vital spectrum of benefits without being compromised by fillers and in-active ingredients allowing the skin to receive the most abundant treatment while mitigating irritation due there being no traces of harsh ingredients. All Goldfaden MD products are made without harsh synthetic ingredients. Our commitment is to create safe, yet effective products that utilize the most effective and innovative naturally-derived, result driven ingredients. It’s the best of both worlds, right?

Dr. G // 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.

For the minimalist among us who do not have a set skincare routine what would you suggest?

Lisa // A cleanser (Pure Start), an exfoliator (Doctor’s Scrub), a serum (Brightening Elixir), an eye cream (Bright Eyes) and a moisturizer (Vital Boost). That sounds like a lot for a minimalist…. So, you could get away with an exfoliator, eye cream and moisturizer.

Lauren // Exfoliate (Doctor’s Scrub), Cleanse (Pure Start), Treat (Serum), Hydrate (Moisturizer), a weekly mask, and Sun Screen; that’s the ideal regimen of products (for obtaining the best version of your skin!).

Dr. G // Exfoliate (Doctor’s Scrub), Cleanse (Pure Start), Treat (Serum), Hydrate (Moisturizer); that’s the ideal regimen of products.

In our conversation you had mentioned this is a family business, what how do you balance family and business? What are the high points and challenges of working with family?

Lisa // The high points outweigh the challenges for sure. I am thankful everyday that I get to work with my family. I grew up knowing I wanted to help people and watched my dad treat his patients with care and thoughtfulness. The high points are trust, shared goals and getting to spend the majority of my life with my family, I think that is pretty special. I think our biggest challenge can be not taking our ‘work’ hats off and just be a family. My mom will always lead the way and say ‘no business or phones at dinner’!

Lauren // Being able to share in the same passion, drive, and dedication with my family is truly remarkable. As a team, we’ve formed an unbreakable bond, and it makes us quite powerful in ways I had never experienced in the larger corporate setting. We have learned that over the years that it’s equally as important to turn off work and spend time as a family with that being the primary focus, so we try our hardest to stick to the “on/off” switch!

Dr. G // There are so many benefits to working in a close family business, chief among them being trust and agility. Having control of the business and easy access to one another allows for fast critical decision making with an implicit shared mission that has the best interest of the business at heart. It has been wonderful and rewarding to watch my children grow and build our company. I learn from them every day and I am honored they share my passion and vision.

What is your favorite product?

Lisa // Our Brightening Elixir because it is loaded with Ferulic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and two types of Vitamin B. I have fair, sensitive skin and this serum attacks my sun and environmental damage while hydrating and appearance evenness to my skin.

Lauren // GOLDFADEN MD Doctor’s Scrub and GOLDFADEN MD Needle-Less. I just can’t live without them.

Dr. G // GOLDFADEN MD Plant Profusion Energetic Eye Cream. The Plant Profusion line is a four-piece anti aging regimen that launched last year and is a huge point of pride for our team. It utilizes plant stem cell technology and a proprietary blend of exotic active ingredients PURFLORA™ which we worked tirelessly to perfect and bring to market. I traveled the world for years meticulously selecting the active ingredients that define this range.

After a long day, how do you unwind and de-stress?

Lisa // An outdoor run, a hot bath and then I turn on some jazz and have a glass of wine.

Lauren // The gym. Working out for me is like therapy and helps me stay balanced and limit my stress and anxiety levels.

Dr. G // Swimming and a long walk by the ocean.

What is your favorite meal?

Lisa // My favorite meal is my mom’s organic roast chicken and a butter lettuce salad with fresh herbs.

Lauren // Sushi!

Dr. G // Salmon, Brown Rice, Broccoli


Do you have some tips for maintaining healthy, radiant skin?

Lisa // Exercise, where sunscreen, exfoliate and sleep!!

Lauren // Sleep; it’s the absolute key to overall healthy wellness!

Dr. G // It’s about eating ‘clean’ and eating non-processed foods, exercising daily and getting ample sleep at night (8 hours). I am rigid about certain items being ‘organic’ such as any dairy, eggs, meat and non-coated fruits & veggies and incorporate lots of Leafy greens, protein, fat (mostly in the form of avocado – I eat at least one a day!) into my diet. Coupled with daily movement and a proper night’s sleep, it proves to pave the way towards a healthy overall existence (mitigated stress, anxiety, depression to name a few benefits).

Let's talk about aging, we all want to drink from the elusive fountain of youth- what are some ways of "aging gracefully" with regard to skincare. Is it true that sun protection is the best form of anti-aging?

If you haven’t found your purpose / inspiration for your life work then close your eyes and feel it. You know deep inside, you may just not believe it yet.

Think about what you could do if your dreams could make anything you wanted happen then go for it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!Lisa // Sun protection is extremely important, but so is frequent exfoliation and using effective topical products such as vitamin C and retinol. Exercise is also wonderful for circulation and endorphins both of which effect the skin. As important as what we put on our bodies, is what we put in our bodies. Eating a diet high in antioxidants and healthy fats with very little processed food and carbohydrates helps keep inflammation and glycation at bay in the body. Sleep is also crucial to youthful looking skin.

Lauren // The sun ages skin prematurely due to the UV rays, and it can also cause skin cancer later on down to the road. Although everyone should be adding sunscreen to their routine, those who use any type of anti-aging serums or exfoliants need it even more (skin is gleaming and beautiful, but can also be more sensitive to the skin), so as a rule of thumb, it should simply be part of everyone’s daily regimen. Period.

Dr. G // Sun exposure is the leading cause of pre-mature aging and it’s arguably the most important aspect of properly caring for our skin – sun screen – because without it, it’s almost counter-productive to be using anti-aging products. ** Anything higher than SPF 50+ can tempt you to stay in the sun too long. Even if you don’t burn, your skin can experience damage related to over exposure from UVA/UVB rays. Stick to SPF’s between 15 and 30 SPF levels and reapply every hour when in the sun and up to three times per day when not in direct sun light (remember: you still get sun exposure through those clouds).

On both a business and personal level- what do you find inspiring?

Lisa // Drive, honesty and kindness.

Lauren // GRIT – People who showcase Dedication, Passion and Determination in every aspect of life; it’s inspiring!

Dr. G // Watching people have satisfaction by using the products that I have been formulating for decades. There is nothing more satisfying to see people enhance their self-esteem and increase their confidence