Alicia Zalka, MD
Founder and CEO of Surface Deep
With a wealth of experience and insight from over 25 years as a multi-practice dermatologist and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, Alicia Zalka, MD is one of today’s leading skin care experts. Her expertise in medical and cosmetic dermatology has won her a legion of beloved patients, respect from colleagues nationwide and accolades including Top Doctor in Connecticut and Top 25 Most Influential People of Litchfield County. But her true passion and sense of accomplishment comes from her volunteer work providing dermatology care to service people for almost 30 years at the VA Hospital in West Haven CT and her appointment by former Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, to serve as an executive board member and now as Chair of one of the medical boards at the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Even with retiring from her frenetic full time private practice in December of 2022, she still maintains a bustling career in dermatology. Her Clinical Attending position within the Yale University Department of Dermatology, teaching dermatology residents and her supervisory position at The Art of Skin in Poughkeepsie NY teaching physician assistants, feeds her unrelenting devotion to the science of skin and sharing her dedicated, compassionate approach to caring for people.
A renowned expert on skin health, Dr. Zalka regularly contributes her expertise and insights to media including Vogue, Allure, Family Circle, Glamour, The New York Times, WWD, The New York Daily News, Associated Press, and NBC CT and ABC News. She earned her undergraduate degree Magna Cum Laude from Boston University, and graduated with honors from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. She also attended Yale School of Medicine and University of Rochester, where she trained in Internal Medicine and Dermatology, respectively. Dr. Zalka is a 28 year long fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, as well as the Dermatologic Surgery Society and the Connecticut State Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Society, where she also served as a past president.
In 2012 Dr. Zalka launched an online resource offering expert skin care solutions, advice and unbiased information about all things dermatology and named her website Surface Deep, Skin Truth.
In January 2020, Dr. Zalka launched her brand’s inaugural product, Surface Deep Anti-Odorant Pads.
The idea for Surface Deep Anti-Odorant came about while getting ready for a family trip to Aspen, Colorado, when she forgot to pack her everyday stick deodorant. Improvising in the moment with some glycolic acid exfoliant, Dr. Zalka quickly discovered that in addition to deep cleansing her underarms, undesirable body odor did not develop. Excited about how glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), could elevate daily hygiene, she researched and perfected the first “glycolic acid-powered” deodorant, Surface Deep Anti-Odorant. She coined this new term “Anti-Odorant” because her patented formula doesn’t mask odor with perfumes, like most deodorants; nor does it block sweat glands from their natural body temperature-regulating function, like aluminum containing antiperspirants do. Surface Deep Anti-Odorant is a whole new category and features a proprietary formulation to prevent body odor, including glycolic acid, probiotic ferments, fruit extracts, and aloe in just the precise percentages. Consumer testing showed 91% of participants enjoyed all day odor prevention with daily use and no instances of skin irritation. Incredible results.
Dr. Zalka has just expanded the Surface Deep brand with a new pH Balancing Skin Wash to capture not just the odor prevention magic of her formulations but also to care for the skin’s barrier protection known as the acid mantle. Other body products will be launching soon. Through her expertise as a dermatologist and her experience as a brand creator, Dr. Zalka knows that taking care of the skin surface, means protecting and nurturing the natural barrier function of your largest organ. And, that many other products can actually do more damage than good.
Her message is this:
“To be your healthiest, most glowing self, nurture the skin's Surface and your skin benefits will be Deep”