About our Founder

Petru van Zyl is the visionary Founder and Creative Director of pHformula – a global dermatological skincare brand redefining the way we treat skin.

Her journey began with her own challenges suffering from acne, inspiring her to become a qualified skin therapist and, ultimately, a pioneer in the field of skin resurfacing.

While working in clinics, Petru recognised a clear gap in conventional chemical peels: they were often too aggressive or lacked the adaptability needed to treat diverse skin types.

This insight led to the development of controlled chemical skin resurfacing – a truly innovative, non-invasive method that treats skin without compromising its integrity.

Collaborating with a global network of pharmacists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and scientists, Petru developed the pHformula system – the world’s first professional skin resurfacing range based on controlled proton delivery.

With over 25 years of experience and a career spanning South Africa, Australasia, Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, South America, the UAE, South Korea and the USA, Petru remains at the forefront of innovation in skin health.

Now based between Barcelona and South Africa, she continues to lead a global education movement, empowering skin professionals to deliver exceptional, results-driven care.