Lydia Sarfati
Lydia Sarfati | |
|---|---|
| Born | Poland |
| Occupation(s) | Esthetician, entrepreneur, consultant, author |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Known for | Pioneering seaweed-based skincare treatments in the United States; founder of Repêchage |
Lydia Sarfati is an American esthetician, entrepreneur, consultant, and author originally from Poland, recognized for pioneering seaweed-based skincare treatments in the United States. In 1980, together with her husband David Sarfati, she established Sarkli-Repêchage, a company specializing in cosmetics derived from seaweed. She has also written multiple books focusing on cosmetology and health.
Early life
Sarfati was born in Poland to Holocaust survivors Szloma and Sofia Mops and was raised in Legnica, where she completed training in medically oriented skincare. After relocating to Italy, her family eventually settled in New York City in 1970. She launched her professional journey as a makeup artist on Madison Avenue.
In 1972, she married David Sarfati after meeting him in New York. To provide for their two children, Lydia worked as an esthetician in Queens and ran an evening beauty salon from home.
Career
In September 1977, Lydia Sarfati partnered with Shoshana Kliot to open the Klisar Skin Care Center. The salon achieved recognition following coverage in publications such as Vogue, Mademoiselle, Harper's Bazaar, and the New York Times Magazine. In 1980, she developed the Four Layer Facial technique, a skincare approach now taught at more than 200 schools globally.
Repêchage
After selling her stake in the salon in 1983, Sarfati founded Repêchage alongside her husband. The company concentrated on promoting the Four-Layer Facial and producing skincare products like cleansers, lotions, and moisturizers. Repêchage was among the first in the U.S. to introduce comprehensive seaweed-based body treatments and helped popularize thalassotherapy components such as seawater and salts.
Currently, Repêchage markets its seaweed-infused treatments and beauty products across more than 45 countries. Its main facility in Secaucus, New Jersey spans 50,000 square feet and includes an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing and research & development center as well as a post-graduate esthetics academy.
Other activities
Lydia Sarfati is a respected speaker and consultant within the spa sector. She authored Success at Your Fingertips, a book that covers essential elements of managing a skincare business.