Today’s crowded beauty market is filled with women searching for natural skincare that feels safe and effective without the harsh side effects of medical-grade products. For Donna Zaccour, that need wasn’t just a business opportunity; it was personal.
“I have always struggled with extremely sensitive and red skin,” Zaccour explains. “I would try products with retinol or other medical-grade ingredients and every time I woke up with completely irritated skin.”
That frustration led Zaccour on a long journey of research, testing, and formulation. In 2024, she launched Skön Beautifully Strong, a skincare line built around bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative. “It treats acne, hyperpigmentation, aging, fine lines, and wrinkles,” she said. “I could have been using bakuchiol all this time instead of retinol.”
Turning Research Into Innovation
Developing Skön Beautifully Strong skincare took patience and persistence. Zaccour spent more than two years experimenting with manufacturers and exploring ingredient combinations, all while testing every product on herself. One exciting discovery was Matrixyl, a peptide blend that strengthens skin and reduces wrinkle depth.
“The combinations together, you also have to learn those,” Zaccour explains. “Matrixyl sends repair signals to your damaged skin and strengthens it. I’ve been using my products every day for two years.”
In addition to the discovery of Matrixyl, Zaccour has benefited from several other pivotal realizations during the creation of Skön, including the utility of Bakuchiol — also known as “nature’s retinol” — and the fact that collagen creams do not absorb deep enough to make a significant difference in effective skincare. As such, Skön is classified as a “collagen marine” cream, with powerful natural ingredients from the sea that boost natural collagen production. Likewise, her “Miracle Face Oil” has made an impressive showing as a light, fast-absorbing product.
Zaccour’s formulas quickly earned praise from family, friends, and colleagues, whose encouragement fueled her engagement. “Their love of the products kept me moving forward with production,” she says.
A Foundation in Business and Resilience
Long before skincare, Zaccour built an accomplished career in marketing and publishing. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration, she served as vice president of marketing at Seaboard Federal Credit Union, and later became editor-in-chief of Reach Magazine, a lifestyle publication centered on wellness and self-care. She went on to spend more than a decade as president of C3 Media, where she honed her expertise in branding and strategy.
Those experiences laid the foundation for Zaccour’s entrepreneurial journey. “Married and on our own at just 20, working days and attending college at night, I learned how to stand on my own and succeed,” she recalls.
Giving Back Through Service
Beyond business, Zaccour has poured energy into philanthropy. She has served on the board of the American Cancer Society since 2002 and helped lead the Cowford Ball committee, where she organized major fundraising events. She also supports the American Heart Association and other nonprofit initiatives that align with her values of health and wellness.
These commitments, Zaccour says, are just as important as the products she creates. They reflect her larger mission of building confidence in women and giving them tools for both inner and outer strength.
A Mission of Inspiring Confidence Through Care
Today, Zaccour is channeling her energy into expanding Skön Beautifully Strong skincare and shaping the Beautifully Strong Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to helping women embrace confidence through self-care. “My vision is to launch a successful skin care brand that provides natural, effective solutions for women who are not interested in using strong medical-grade products,” she explains. That vision reflects her belief that beauty should feel safe, restorative, and empowering.
At the same time, Zaccour remains grounded in the relationships that matter most. A proud wife to Thomas and an adoring mother to Trey and Cole, she treasures time with her family and friends.
Just as her journey began with a search for gentler solutions, Zaccour’s mission now is to guide others toward the same sense of strength, comfort, and confidence that she has built for herself.
