Board Certified Dermatologist Alicia Zalka Launches Innovative Personal Care Brand

Surface Deep offers unique formulas that banish odors using plant-derived ingredients and fruit-based acids.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 2:31am

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Dr. Alicia Zalka, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, founded the personal care brand Surface Deep. The brand features products made from plant-derived ingredients and fruit-based acids that help nourish the skin microbiome, banish odors, and keep skin smooth, bright, and balanced.

Why it matters

Surface Deep represents an innovative approach to personal care products, moving beyond simply masking odors to addressing the root causes through formulations that work with the skin's natural defenses. As a dermatologist-founded brand, Surface Deep brings scientific expertise to developing effective, clean, and natural solutions for common skin and body care concerns.

The details

The inspiration for Surface Deep came during a trip to Aspen when Dr. Zalka forgot to pack her regular deodorant. She improvised by using glycolic acid, which not only eliminated the odor but prevented it from returning. This experience led her to create the first-of-its-kind AHA-powered deodorant, which launched in 2020. Since then, the Surface Deep line has expanded to include cleansing wipes and pads, odor-prevention spray, and pH-balancing skin wash.

  • Dr. Zalka founded Surface Deep in 2020.
  • The brand's first product, an AHA-powered deodorant, launched in 2020.

The players

Dr. Alicia Zalka

A board-certified dermatologist, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, and the founder of Surface Deep, an innovative personal care brand.

Surface Deep

A personal care brand founded by Dr. Alicia Zalka that features unique formulas made from plant-derived ingredients and fruit-based acids to banish odors and nourish the skin microbiome.

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What they’re saying

“The inspiration for Surface Deep came during a trip to Aspen when I forgot to pack my regular deodorant and had to improvise by using glycolic acid, which not only got rid of the odor but kept it from returning.”

— Dr. Alicia Zalka, Founder, Surface Deep

What’s next

Surface Deep plans to continue expanding its product line to address a wider range of skin and body care needs using its science-backed, natural formulations.

The takeaway

As a dermatologist-founded brand, Surface Deep brings medical expertise and a focus on the skin's natural defenses to develop innovative personal care products that go beyond just masking odors. The brand's success highlights the growing consumer demand for clean, effective, and scientifically-informed solutions for common skin and body care concerns.