Tonight’s Meet a Mom, Andrea Lefkovits, is the Mom of two teenage boys and Founder of Virginskin. Virginskin, a labor of love and a family legacy, is a face cream with an impressive anti- aging effect that firms, plumps and smooths the skin.
Andrea shares how she pivoted careers from many years as a 3’s and Pre K teacher who loved supporting children to embracing her natural love of skincare and running a business, thereby shifting from the teacher to the student.
Andrea also shares her own skin care routine, what makes Virginskin different from any product out there, and why it has become the beloved “one and done” moisturizer for so many!
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
My husband and I have two boys, Benjamin and David, ages 18 and 15 respectively. Our family moved to Greenwich from London nine years ago. I love the beauty and nature of Greenwich while still being a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of NYC where I was born and raised. Greenwich has the best of both worlds.
Tell us all about Virginskin!
I am very proud to share about Virginskin. This has been a labor of love.
The brand was born from the genius mind of my father-in-law, New York dermatologist, Dr. Albert Lefkovits, who had a 50-year love affair with skin. In addition to his successful Park Avenue practice, where he was known for his caring manner, medical expertise, and innovative treatments, he was a Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital with a mind for chemistry and a deep knowledge of botanical actives and their benefits in treating skin conditions. Because his patients often experienced redness and irritation from in-office treatments, he created a cream to comfort and soothe their skin. In addition to its exceptional calming benefits, his cream had an impressive anti- aging effect that firmed, plumped and smoothed the skin. A cult following developed, which laid the foundation for Virginskin.
When not at his practice and immersed in clinical work, he also loved spending time in Provence and drew inspiration from its surroundings, including the region’s pure, therapeutic botanicals which were carefully curated and taken back to his lab to create the original Virginskin formula.
I am so proud to build on Albert’s legacy and passion. As a longtime user of his original Virginskin cream, I have enjoyed its many benefits for years and am so excited to introduce its latest incarnation. True to its heritage, Virginskin still sources its exclusive, proprietary botanical blend from the purity of Provence, but with the powerful addition of an evolved and more advanced cocktail of today’s clinically-proven skin-perfecting actives, all packaged in refillable and sustainable packaging.
Virginskin is, and always will be, about quality, proven ingredients with a thoughtful, streamlined approach to skincare – with the kind of results that give you confidence in your skin and that fabulous glow!
Can you tell us a little bit about your career and what led you to launch your own skincare line?
I am very grateful for my career path which has had some interesting twists and turns. I actually have my Masters in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs. I worked for many years as a 3’s and Pre K teacher and love working with and supporting children. I have also worked helping to support children and families who need support speech/OT. I have since shifted careers, which has been exciting and challenging all at the same time. I have a natural love of skincare and running a business. When I made this career shift, I changed from the teacher to the student. I dove head first into the skincare sector. I needed to become an expert on trending ingredients and skin science, as I have always appreciated the importance of having long-term skin health. We now have this amazing product to present to consumers. Speaking to other Greenwich mom friends, I realized that they have the same skin issues as I do. The skin care industry inspires and excites me. Specifically, supporting women to have confidence in themselves and in their skin and enabling them to feel and look their best selves is incredibly uplifting. Taking care of our skin and having healthy skin for life is of the utmost importance. Virginskin checks all of the boxes and allows us/ enables us to take care of ourselves and our skin from the inside out.
Can you share what separates your products from anything else out there?
We designed Virginskin Daily Glow Active Hydrator to tackle multiple skin issues at once and to be your “one and done” moisturizer. We know that women have a choice of hundreds of products out there, and that that can be overwhelming. I wanted to simplify that choice and make one key product that would solve many problems, eliminating the need for a 5, 8, or even 10-step routine. Through our research, we’ve seen the biggest concerns for women aged 30-65+ are dullness, uneven skin tone, and dryness/dehydrated skin. Our strategy is to be a curated line offering a limited assortment of highly effective, science-backed skincare solutions. This hydrator is our first out of the gate and will make your skin brighter, softer, firmer, and glowier. An all-in-one everyday moisturizer that you can trust to give you healthier skin every day, and over time.
The new Virginskin formula is a highly efficacious combination of clinically-proven skincare ingredients and our proprietary blend of active botanicals from Provence. Niacinamide is the lead multi-tasker, at double the active level, proven to help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone for brighter, glowing skin over time. Polyglutamic Acid (PGA) and Squalane are super hydrators that act as a moisture magnet, locking in moisture to protect the skin’s barrier for hydrated skin that lasts all day. We chose PGA because it is 4x more hydrating than hyaluronic acid! Rounding out our clinical ingredients are Peptides, amino acids that help increase skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Our proprietary Provençal botanical blend features Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, and Lavender Extract. The Crocus Bulb Extract, at an active level in Virginskin, has been proven to help boost collagen and elastin production, smooth skin texture, and visibly reduce wrinkles. This bulb specializes in storing active nutrients and as an early spring-flowering plant, symbolizes rejuvenation and youthfulness.
Because it was important for us to hear real consumer feedback while formulating, we tested our product with an independent third-party research firm with 60 women in our target age group, 29-59, with various skin tones and concerns. 96% said their skin still looked and felt hydrated at the end of the day. After only 4 weeks, 93% said their skin looked brighter and now had a natural glow. And after 8 weeks of using Virginskin, 82% said their skin was firmer, bouncier, had a more even skin tone and noticeable decrease in fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes (no need for an extra eye cream!).
What is your face care routine?
I have a very simple but effective face care routine. I wash my face with Cetaphil cleanser twice daily, morning and evening, and use Virginskin and a serum to focus on my skin health with a simple yet efficacious regimen. I also apply sunscreen before leaving the house, rain or shine.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another parent?
Being a mom of two teenagers, the best piece of advice I have received is that sometimes your children have to be uncomfortable before they can be comfortable. While we are always there to guide them along the way, sometimes giving our children the space to struggle a little, gain the ability to problem solve is truly a gift that they can carry with them throughout their lives. Sometimes, as parents, it is our instinct to step in and micromanage situations for our children. However, giving children the room to navigate situations themselves can build their confidence and muscle memory to grow to be resilient and thriving adults.
What do you like to do to relax/have fun for yourself and as a family?
I enjoy both long, brisk walks solo as well as with friends. Reading is also a favorite pastime. I love the curated selections from Diane’s on Grigg Street as well as Athena Books. I could get lost in these amazing Greenwich institutions for hours on end.
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee: CFCF on Grigg Street- they know my complicated order from memory!
Workout: Speed walking is my favorite form of exercise both around my neighborhood and at Tod’s Point
Go on a date night: Orienta. My husband and I went there on our first date in NYC many years ago so it is near and dear to our hearts and also happens to be delicious!
Go out for a girls night: MOLI (although these evenings are few and far between)
Go out to dinner as a family: Famous Greek Kitchen in Byram. My favorite Greek salad and super friendly service!
Get your hair done: Warren Tricomi. Naru is the best!
Get your nails done: Hill Top Nails in Glenville. Fabulous!
Have fun as a family: Our family loves to enjoy the outdoors. We love to spend time bike riding, taking long walks (all seasons) and paddleboarding at Tod’s Point. The Greenwich Audubon Center is also a favorite for walking and exploring! We are all avid tennis players and you will often see us at the Bruce Park or Pemberwick courts (in almost any weather).
