About our Founder,
Petru van Zyl
“Knowledge is knowing that acids peel the skin. Wisdom is applying acids that do not peel, but rebuild the skin.”
Petru van Zyl, Founder
Petru van Zyl’s journey into skincare began with her own battle with teenage acne. This personal challenge ignited her passion for understanding skin health and inspired her to become a qualified skin therapist.
While working in clinics and utilizing traditional chemical peels, Petru identified a critical gap in the industry: conventional treatments were often overly aggressive, causing irritation, or lacked the flexibility to meet the unique needs of diverse skin types, particularly darker Fitzpatrick types and those exposed to challenging environments.
Determined to push the boundaries of what was possible, Petru envisioned a revolutionary approach to skin treatments—one that would harness the transformative power of acids while preserving skin integrity.
Collaborating with acclaimed pharmacists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, scientists, and aesthetic professionals, her vision became reality with the creation of pHformula: the world’s first professional controlled dermatological skin resurfacing system.
Unlike traditional chemical peels that focus solely on exfoliation, pHformula’s innovative formulations actively accelerate epidermal cell turnover and regeneration. This groundbreaking system delivers impressive results with minimal irritation and downtime, redefining the future of skin health.
Originally from South Africa, Petru has amassed extensive international experience, working across Europe, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the UAE, Australasia, South America, South Korea, and the USA.
Now based in Barcelona, Spain, Petru leads pHformula as its Founder and Creative Director. Under her leadership, pHformula has grown into a global brand, trusted by skin specialists in over 45 countries. She continues to drive innovation, developing advanced treatments and homecare solutions that empower professionals and transform lives.
Petru’s unwavering commitment to education and innovation has cemented her reputation as a passionate visionary and trailblazer in the field of dermatological skincare.
