Meet the Beauty Experts

By Genevieve Monsma

FIRST LADY OF CLEAR SKIN: Sonya Dakar

WHAT MOTIVATES HER: Though her facials are a must for celebs before a big photo op, Dakar did not start out with the intention of making already good-looking people drop-dead gorgeous. "My goal was always to help 'real' people who suffer from acne, rosacea, and sun damage."

HOW SHE VIEWS DERMS:"I am to dermatology what acupuncture is to surgery — a less-invasive alternative."

THE SCIENCE BEHIND HER LINE: "My husband is our formulator and head of research and development. Once he saw how powerful it was to alter the way people see themselves just by changing their skin, he gave up his career as an engineer and devoted himself to making our products."

ONE PRODUCT SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE: "The Drying Potion was among our first products (in the '70s). It still dries up pimples better than anything else, so why mess with it?"

TO LOOK LIKE A DAKAR CLIENT:
*Beware of sodium laurel sulfate. "It's a common ingredient in cleansers, but it's as harsh as laundry soap."
* Stock up on moisturizers. Everyone needs a good hydrating lotion, with an essential oil like lavender, to promote healing. Another must? Eye cream, since the undereye has no oil glands.

HAS WORKED WITH: Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Paula Abdul, Debra Messing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit sonyadakar.com

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