by Maria Pilar Clark

Helen of Troy might have had the face that launched a thousand ships, but had she been around today, The Skinny would definitely have helped her amass a face-worshipping flotilla.

The Skinny is the first members-only shopping destination focused exclusively on luxury skin care products and spa services at discounts up to 70% off retail. With new skin care products launching left and right, it can be difficult for consumers to choose a particular product when the marketplace is inundated with various fixes. As co-founder Paige Steinman points out, "You can take one look at a Chanel bag and know that it's perfect for you. You can't glance at a bottle of moisturizer and know if it's right for your skin. This poses an interesting challenge for skin care companies on the web. We think we've got it solved."

The Skinny partners with established and boutique brands to offer its members the highest quality and most innovative products on the market along with personalized recommendations based on skin type, while its creative team produces accompanying educational brand and product videos that quickly highlight each solution’s science and efficacy. Shopping events are exclusive and completely private, and though its complimentary, membership is available by invitation only.