Personal skin health education provided by Dermalogica educators is just the beginning for teens living in group homes in Los Angeles County.

The journey actually finds its origins in the friendship between Daniele Wieder and Molly Wurwand. Daniele Wieder is the daughter of Los Angeles dermatologist Joshua Wieder, M.D., who is an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Molly Wurwand is the daughter of Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute.

Daniele Wieder was inspired to found the 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, "S.K.I.N" (Skincare for Kids In Need), while volunteering at a group home for teens over a Christmas holiday. She then called her friend, Molly, to see if Dermalogica could provide education and skin care products for teens like those she had recently encountered.

"It's hard enough being a teenager without having to worry about bad skin," says Daniele Wieder. "When I found out that the teens living in group homes had no access to skin care, I knew I had to do something. Skincare for Kids in Needs will help teens who already have a lot stress. So their skin becomes one less thing to worry about."

Through the partnership with S.K.I.N., the Dermalogica team recently visited two of the largest group homes for teens in Los Angeles County: the AVIVA teen home in West Hollywood, and Starview Group Foster Home in Torrance, south of Los Angeles. During these visits, teen residents received customized gifts of Dermalogica skin care products, participated in skin health workshops conducted by Dermalogica educators, and learned about promising potential careers as professional skin therapists.

"In addition to helping the teens with their skin health, we are also able to tell them about professional skin therapy as a future career option," said Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute. "That is an opportunity that will reward them for a lifetime!"

S.K.I.N. has received start-up funds from The Dermalogica Foundation to create a fundraising website. Reaching beyond his participation in S.K.I.N.'s medical dermatology workshops, Dr. Wieder also donates his professional services on a pro bono basis to select teens who reside in the group home settings. This potentially life-changing gift is offered to individuals with acne or other conditions severe enough to warrant medical care. Both Jane Wurwand and Dr. Wieder serve on the Board of Directors for S.K.I.N.

According to The County of Los Angeles, more than 2,000 minors between the ages of 12 and 17 are currently housed in group homes. The initial strategy established by S.K.I.N. is to work with several of the County's largest homes. In each of these settings, 60-100 teens may be in residence at any given time; most have never had access to professional skin care from either a skin therapist or dermatologist. An estimated 350 to 500 group home residents will receive professional skin care and career motivation through Dermalogica's partnership with S.K.I.N. in 2009.

DermalogicaŽ revolutionized the skin care industry when it emerged into the marketplace in 1986 with innovative formulations which excluded common irritants, including SD alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil and artificial colors and fragrances. Jane Wurwand developed the products to better support the advanced curriculum she had developed a few years earlier for The International Dermal Institute, which she also founded. Beginning with Dermal Clay Cleanser, Multi-Active Toner, Skin Smoothing Cream and Skin Prep Scrub, which remain among the company's top-sellers today, Wurwand led the company's growth from an idea to the world's most-requested professional skin care brand.

Dermalogica is made in the USA, with its global operations based in Carson, just south of Los Angeles. DermalogicaŽ products are found in more than 6,500 preferred skin treatment centers, salons and spas in the USA and more than 75,000 professional skin therapists around the world. The brand also has concept spaces a flagship location in Santa Monica, California; New York, New York; London, England; Berlin, Germany; Auckland, New Zealand; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Mumbai, India. Please visit www.dermalogica.com for more information.