Before joining MDSolarSciences as their CEO, Westporter Renee Plato had an impressive career in media, working for brands like Univision, Nielsen, and the Walt Disney Company. “I worked across digital platforms, developing strategies, building partnerships, and scaling audiences. But what fascinated me was watching how beauty and skincare brands were really leading the charge and creating community-driven, content-first experiences,” Renee tells Westport Lifestyle. “They weren't just selling product— they were selling stories.” When she was approached about coming on to steer the Westport-based company, “I thought my background in media provided a wonderful foundational knowledge to help drive growth,” she says. “Ultimately, I realized I wanted to work with something tangible, that could impact people's lives, in a space that I genuinely loved. And it very much helped be in my own backyard!”
After Renee became CEO, she made an effort to elevate the dermatologist-crafted line, taking it from packaging and positioning that made it seem like a beach-first product to something that customers would want to wear every day as part of their skincare routine. “It was important to me that that consumer understood that SPF isn't just for the beach—it's an everyday healthy habit,” Renee says. And living in beach-front Westport means Renee and her family are putting the products to the test constantly. “For me, it really starts with putting on an everyday SPF moisturizer as the first step of my daily routine. And then, with Westport being such a wonderful outdoor community, I always have sunscreen available— in the car, in my bag, in my daughter’s backpack. We have these great portable solar sticks that make it super easy to glide on the high-absorption parts that are getting a lot of sun no matter where you are.”
For your sun-safest summer ever— whether you’re here in Westport or hitting the road— we asked Renee for some of her favorite MDSolarSciences products. “It brings me a lot of meaning, knowing that we are improving people’s skin health and longevity, and delivering beauty from within,” Renee says. “It’s about total wellness.”
MDSolarSciences products are available at mdsolarsciences.com and select local retailers.
Renee's 5 Must-Haves
1. Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30: The first thing I put on in the morning, time-released hydration and UV protection all in one.
2. Mineral Tinted Crème: A great no-makeup makeup with SPF that provides coverage and blurs imperfections with a beautiful matte finish.
3. Mineral Crème 50: Clean, reef safe/water safe mineral formulas that go on sheer to provide invisible protection. Perfect for the beach or extended sun exposure.
4. SolarStick SPF 40: This mineral stick is excellent for on-the-go protection. Throw it in your purse and car for convenient coverage at any time- hands-free.
5. Gleam & Glow SPF 50 — This gives the most gorgeous radiance to all skin tones, and also hydrates and boosts elasticity.