One hundred years after her birth, Marilyn Monroe remains as magnetic and mythologized as ever—a woman whose beauty felt both aspirational and achingly human. While her legacy spans silver screens and cultural history, one quieter chapter belongs to Erno Laszlo, the legendary skin-care house that counted her as a devoted client, and even created a scar cream formulated exclusively for her.
According to the brand, New York–based Dr. Erno Laszlo, a Hungarian-American dermatologist famous for both his expertise and custom skin prescriptions, created Phormula 3-8 specifically for Monroe to heal a scar on her stomach and kept her well-stocked with Active Phelityl Cream, an all-purpose moisturizer, for her signature on-screen glow.
Other Hollywood hard-hitters also relied on Dr. Laszlo, including Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis and Greta Garbo among them, but Monroe’s endorsement may be the most memorable: “Erno Laszlo not only heals my skin, but he soothes my soul,” the star said.
Beyond the results, Dr. Laszlo was also known for taking meticulous notes and saving his telephone-consult transcriptions. As the brand shared with us, its 1959 recommendation for Mrs. Marilyn Monroe Miller—her name during her marriage to Arthur Miller—included detailed instructions on how to wash the face, apply under-eye products and finish with skin care. It also listed specific dietary instructions, including a “do not eat” list of nuts, chocolate, olives, oysters and clams.
“Marilyn’s routine included products that featured Erno Laszlo’s proprietary Phelityl Complex, an advanced way to hydrate skin and balance skincare pH by replenishing the fatty acids,” shares Patricia Schuffenhauer, Chief Product Officer at Erno Laszlo. “As her skin was on the drier side and needed that extra skin barrier support, Marilyn’s personalized routine likely resonates with consumers who struggle with similar skin types.”
Though skin barrier support is nothing new, Schuffenhauer stresses it is as crucial as ever. “Recent industry trends and new product launches have led to a major resurgence among consumers, showcasing the importance of protecting the skin from external aggressors like UV radiation and extreme weather, while also providing the added benefit of a glowy and hydrated finish. As the legacy skin-care brand that has been trusted by Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe, Erno Laszlo continues to showcase to consumers the importance of science-backed products coupled with ritual-performing skin care.”
While not everything Monroe relied on is still available today, the majority of it is still in the Laszlo lineup, with some slight modifications.
Shop Marilyn Monroe’s Erno Laszlo Skin-Care Picks
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