Exclusive Interview with Founder of Skincare Brand French Farmacie
After launching in late 2021, French Farmacie has quickly made a name for itself in the luxury skincare market. I was quick to fall in love with the serums and am proud to serve as the first retailer for this exceptional line. After all, I share similar core values with the brand, in regard to simplifying the complex world of skincare. Founder, Tricia Marlowe, developed a two-product line focusing on results-driven skincare that make it easy to go au naturel. French Farmacie is a nod to the pharmacies in France and their commitment to high-quality products, attention to detail and a personal, community-driven approach.
Sérum Radiant is packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins to deliver a radiant and glowing complexion to the skin. The second product, Élixir Exfoliant, has received fabulous reviews for its ability to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and leave the skin with smoother, brighter skin for days.
I sat down with Tricia to chat about bringing French Farmacie to life and what the brand represents in her eyes. Follow along below!
LF: What initially motivated you to create a line of skincare products of your own?
TM: After years of struggling with infertility and an up-and-down relationship with my skin, I set out to rebuild my approach to wellness. Like many who have battled infertility, I questioned what I was putting in and on my body, leading me on a path to a plant-focused, less-is-more self-care routine. Along my journey, a trip to Indonesia left a lasting impression, where front-line communities are grappling with the ocean pollution crisis — a result of the global dependence on single-use plastic. This resonated with my holistic mission and became the catalyst for a deeper appreciation that skin health and the health of the world around us are profoundly interconnected. The experience left me wanting to do more. A career in biotech launching innovative products paved the way for a partnership with a Harvard-trained chemist to develop science-driven formulations. Inspired by a healthier vision for people and the Planet, French Farmacie was born — consciously crafted skincare combining results-driven ingredients with a genuine dedication to having a softer impact on the environment.
LF: Can you share some insight into your story behind the ethos of FF?
TM: As I began envisioning this brand, I knew it was essential to demonstrate our values from Day One, including our commitment to positive social and environmental impact. After all, my trip to Indonesia catapulted French Farmacie into motion. We believe bettering ourselves and bettering the Planet are not mutually exclusive. Our products are good for you, even better for your skin, and safe for the environment. We carefully consider our products' entire environmental life cycle — from sourcing ingredients and packaging to production techniques and distribution methods. French Farmacie is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through annual memberships and everyday actions. With a donation commitment of 1% of gross yearly revenue, we support non-profit partners fighting for social and environmental justice and marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. French Farmacie stands for an active investment in the well-being of people and the Planet.
LF: In your mind, what makes Sérum Radiant and Élixir Exfoliant special and unique?
TM: Our philosophy and formulations. Our approach is centered around reducing complicated steps and unnecessary ingredients to find balance, ease, and a natural glow. Our products are backed by science and were formulated with so much care and attention to efficacy, consistency and scent profile. Our Élixir Exfoliant is very unique as it’s an exfoliating oil mask with a serum-like texture. There’s nothing quite like it on the market. Sérum Radiant absorbs quickly into the skin and is so nourishing, moisturizing and balancing.
LF: What does the first hour of your day look like?
TM: I try not to look at my phone first thing in the morning, so I get up and go for a walk outdoors, followed by a workout using the Melissa Wood Health app. Moving my body helps ground me and sets the tone for the day. And then an oat milk latte made by my husband…my second favorite daily ritual…after French Farmacie of course.
LF: Can you tell us how you get "unready" with FF products at night?
TM: I love taking the opportunity to slow down and come back to myself with the French Farmacie ritual. On the nights I use Élixir Exfoliant, I read or listen to a podcast for 15 to 30 minutes before removing the exfoliating mask with the French Farmacie cotton muslin cloth. When I’m feeling the need for a little extra self-care, I’ll take a bath while Élixir Exfoliant is working its magic and follow with a few drops of Sérum Radiant. I use Sérum Radiant every morning and night on slightly damp skin and love how nourished and glowy my skin looks.
LF: Any hidden talents or guilty pleasures?
TM: I generally eat a healthy plant-focused diet, but I can’t resist salt and vinegar chips if they’re put in front of me!
LF: To conclude: A storied beauty is an unforgettable icon whom you admire in the beauty and fashion arena. When you look back, who are some of the storied beauties who inspired you in your career, and who is someone you consider a modern storied beauty today?
TM: French Farmacie pays homage to the French, who favor a less-is-more approach in life. It’s the secret to the French sense of je ne sais quoi, a pared-down minimalism and classic simplicity philosophy, that has always served as beauty and fashion inspiration for me personally. Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Caroline de Maigret, Tina Kunakey, Emmanuelle Alt, Mélanie Laurent to name a few.
