Today we’d like to introduce you to Farzaneh Rezaei.
Hi Farzaneh, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Some stories start in a lab, some in a home, and some are deeply rooted in culture.
Mine started with all three.
Growing up in Persian culture, I was surrounded by ancient beauty rituals—natural remedies, fermented food and skincare, and a deep respect for the power of nature. These traditions weren’t just about beauty; they were about balance, wellness, and harnessing nature’s intelligence.
Years later, when my own children struggled with their skin, those childhood memories came rushing back. Watching my daughter battle eczema and my teenage son struggle with acne was heartbreaking. No matter how many creams, cleansers, or treatments we tried, the results were always temporary—or worse, irritating.
One day, I called my mom (whose name, beautifully, is Iran) to ask for advice—it tunes out my daughter’s eczema is just as I had as a child in Tehran. She reminded me of something simple: “Try yogurt.”
She had used it to soothe my skin decades ago. That small suggestion, combined with my scientific background, sparked something much deeper: a way to merge Persian wisdom with modern science.
By then, I had spent 15 years in microbial formulation development, helping small and large companies turn microbial ideas into real, high-impact products. My work contributed to solutions applied to millions of acres of crops—corn, soybean, wheat—and even to the health and nutrition of millions of chickens.
I had seen firsthand how powerful microbes are at restoring balance, protecting ecosystems, and transforming industries.
So I asked myself: If microbes can strengthen plants and animals, why couldn’t they restore my children’s skin?
That question lit a fire in me. I knew from my years in microbiology that our skin isn’t just a surface—it’s an ecosystem. When its microbiome is out of balance, problems arise.
So I began crafting a new kind of skincare—one that keeps microbial bioactives alive, fresh, and potent until the moment they touch your skin.
This was the beginning of Fafabiotic—the first-ever truly alive skincare brand.
No chemical preservatives.
No artificial fillers.
Just fresh, thriving, microbe rich-formulations designed to support your skin’s natural balance and deliver real, visible results.
Before any of these, I started with naming What I Was Meant to Create:
In October 2022, I started brainstorming names. I had lists of serious, science-heavy options, but none felt right. My kids chimed in:
“You should include your name somehow.”
Everyone in my family knows me as Fafa, a nickname from my grandmother that carries warmth, love, and belonging—the very feelings I wanted the brand to embody.
That’s when it clicked:
Fafa for my nickname.
Biotic for the living microbial science at the heart of my work.
Even better, the name hinted at Fermentation and Formulation, the foundation of everything I’ve built. It felt like my grandmother had chosen it for me. 🌸
So, with that spark, Fafabiotic was born. We officially registered in January 2023.
When you see our logo—beautifully designed by my sister—you’ll notice the two “F”s are connected, symbolizing the interdependence of fermentation and formulation in biology. The color palette reflects both my feminine side and the soft strength I bring to science and motherhood.
But What Fafabiotic Means to Me (and to You)?
If you’re a customer of Fafabiotic, I hope you’ve felt what this brand stands for. And maybe, just maybe 😉, you’ve noticed I follow up and care a little more than usual—because that’s what an Iranian mom would do.
My deepest hope is that Fafabiotic becomes:
✨ a safe, effective solution for moms looking for something simple and trustworthy for their teens’ acne,
✨ a gentle yet powerful option for adults experiencing unexpected breakouts and looking for a way to calm their skin without harsh treatments,
✨ a science-backed, one-step anti-aging solution for anyone seeking healthy, radiant skin,
✨ and a trusted choice for those with skin concerns who want real results without resorting to drugs or complicated routines.
When you open a Fafabiotic package, I hope you don’t just feel “skincare.”
I hope you feel seen, understood, and loved.
Because in a world that’s overwhelming, those little moments of care are what give us the psychological safety we all deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. In the early days, I heard countless “no”s when I tried to secure funding. Every conversation seemed to come with strings attached—investors wanting to reshape my story to fit what they wanted it to be so they could fund it. One day, I made the hard but liberating decision to fund it myself, even knowing the risks. From that point on, every step—formulation, manufacturing, packaging—was financed out of my own savings. Like many first-time founders, I made the classic $5,000 mistake on something that didn’t move the needle, and every dollar since has had to work harder.
There were months when loan deadlines and bills loomed while revenue lagged, forcing me to dig deep and keep moving forward. On top of that, putting myself out there on social media came with its own challenges—my accent was mocked, and haters occasionally left inappropriate comments. But when you know you have a higher purpose, you learn to rise above the noise and keep going. Finding customers for a product as unique as alive probiotic skincare has been an uphill climb—it takes time to educate people and earn their trust. Yet every rejection, every obstacle, and every single customer who chooses Fafabiotic reminds me why I started and why I will never stop.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a microbial formulation scientist by training and passion. My journey began at Penn State University, where I earned both my master’s and PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, focusing on microbial processes and applied biotechnology. I then continued with a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Davis, where I expanded my expertise in microbial interactions and large-scale biological applications.
For over 15 years, I worked in the industry developing and scaling microbial products for agriculture—solutions that are now applied to millions of acres of crops and used to improve the health of millions of animals. I became known for bridging the gap between science and industry, turning cutting-edge microbial research into products that deliver real impact.
Today, I have taken that expertise into a new arena as the founder of Fafabiotic, founded in 2023, the first skincare brand built around truly alive probiotic formulations. I not only lead the company but continue to personally formulate every product, ensuring they remain true to both science and purpose.
What sets me apart is this unique combination of deep scientific knowledge, hands-on formulation experience, and an unwavering belief that microbes can transform more than industries—they can transform lives. What I am most proud of is creating something that didn’t exist before: skincare that keeps live probiotics alive until they touch the skin, merging ancient Persian wisdom with modern microbiome science to help people achieve balance, confidence, and healthy skin naturally.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is not just about revenue or growth metrics—it’s about impact. I define success as helping people transform their skin health in a way that is simple, safe, and sustainable. My vision is to reduce skin health issues by 50% over the next 10 years—not with yet another drug or harsh treatment, but by simplifying skincare routines and harnessing the power of live-cell microbes to restore balance naturally.
Success also means building a company that empowers others—customers who gain confidence through healthier skin, women and teens who find inspiration in our story, and the partners and employees who grow alongside this mission. A portion of our revenue is dedicated to supporting other small business owners, because I believe success is meant to be shared. We also intentionally partner with companies that hold strong values and prioritize purpose over profit.
If Fafabiotic can change how people think about their skin, uplift other businesses, and collaborate with value-driven partners, then I will know I’ve truly succeeded.
Pricing:
- Fresh Smoothing Probiotic Lotion: $130
- Fresh Hydrating Probiotic Lotion: $110
- Clear & Repair Kit- Acne Trio bundle: $333
- The Skin Rhythm Set: $314.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fafabiotic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fafabiotic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farzaneh.rezaei.103765/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farzaneh-rezaei-79174113/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FarzanehRezaei-oc5yw
