Marc A. Ronert, M.D, Ph.D., is a European Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon as well as a Fellow of the European Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He is also the Director of Image, an evidence-based clinical skincare brand that creates professional skincare products and effective skincare solutions. Impressive, no?
I recently got the chance to grill Marc on everything from his career to grooming essentials. Here's how it went down...
What inspired you to work in the skincare industry? And how did your career journey begin?
I had been a Plastic Surgeon for a few years in Germany while I met Janna, my future wife, at a plastic surgical conference Houston Texas, in 2004. At the conference I was presenting our findings about tissue expanders we gathered back in Germany, when I literally ran into her. Back then she just started to introduce a line of products she called IMAGE. Very soon we both felt a deep emotional sense of connection, but also had a similar business sense.
What is your career highlight?
The success of IMAGE Skincare is something both Janna and myself are extremely proud of. However, if I had to pick one personal career highlight it would be the creation of the Care for Skin Foundation, a charity and non-profit organization we created to treat people who suffer from skin loss (due to accidents, tumors, burns, scars or genetic abnormalities). Our goal is to restore facial and body appearance to those who cannot afford these types of surgeries. So far we've been to many developing countries like Peru, Vietnam and Ecuador and have helped hundreds of patients that were living with debilitating deformities.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the industry?
My first piece of advice would be to always listen to your customers. They are an amazing source of information and are genuine. They are who you work for and who you want to help with your products. Of course, you also need to love what you do and believe in yourself! Skincare is a very competitive market, so you need to consistently innovate if you want to succeed.
Who is the ultimate beauty icon?
My wife would say Coco Chanel: determined, elegant and always willing to innovate and believe in her dreams. I would have to agree.
What are your grooming essentials?
My go to is our broad-spectrum SPF. Protecting my skin from UVA and UVB is a must. I love to use Evian's Facial Spray during long flights and our IMAGE I MASK after I land! I'm also a big fan of the Foreo sonic brush which I use with a glycolic cleanser.
Without a hesitation, I would say not wearing sunscreen. Big crime! Big deal!
I had been a Plastic Surgeon for a few years in Germany while I met Janna, my future wife, at a plastic surgical conference Houston Texas, in 2004. At the conference I was presenting our findings about tissue expanders we gathered back in Germany, when I literally ran into her. Back then she just started to introduce a line of products she called IMAGE. Very soon we both felt a deep emotional sense of connection, but also had a similar business sense.
Shortly after we met we discussed a lot of ideas around aesthetics and concepts of aging, including expanding Image to an international operated skincare line of products. Back home, I was responsible for the aesthetic piece of the department and also choose to operate the skincare side of our practice, as I was familiar with professional, clinical products. We initially started to sell the products in my home clinic back in Germany, expanding and adding new products at a rapid pace because clients went crazy for the results they experienced. We then got the products approved in the European Union and from there IMAGE really took off!
What is your career highlight?
The success of IMAGE Skincare is something both Janna and myself are extremely proud of. However, if I had to pick one personal career highlight it would be the creation of the Care for Skin Foundation, a charity and non-profit organization we created to treat people who suffer from skin loss (due to accidents, tumors, burns, scars or genetic abnormalities). Our goal is to restore facial and body appearance to those who cannot afford these types of surgeries. So far we've been to many developing countries like Peru, Vietnam and Ecuador and have helped hundreds of patients that were living with debilitating deformities.
One other career highlight was both Janna and myself being nominated for Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst and Young.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the industry?
My first piece of advice would be to always listen to your customers. They are an amazing source of information and are genuine. They are who you work for and who you want to help with your products. Of course, you also need to love what you do and believe in yourself! Skincare is a very competitive market, so you need to consistently innovate if you want to succeed.
Who is the ultimate beauty icon?
My wife would say Coco Chanel: determined, elegant and always willing to innovate and believe in her dreams. I would have to agree.
What are your grooming essentials?
My go to is our broad-spectrum SPF. Protecting my skin from UVA and UVB is a must. I love to use Evian's Facial Spray during long flights and our IMAGE I MASK after I land! I'm also a big fan of the Foreo sonic brush which I use with a glycolic cleanser.
What is the biggest skin crime a person can commit?
Without a hesitation, I would say not wearing sunscreen. Big crime! Big deal!
What is your top skin tip?
Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water, and use a good cleanser followed by an effective moisturizer with built in sun protection.
Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water, and use a good cleanser followed by an effective moisturizer with built in sun protection.