What Dermala does

Dermala Inc. is a privately held, San Diego-based consumer dermatology company that develops and sells personalized, microbiome-based skincare products targeting chronic skin conditions, principally acne and eczema. The portfolio spans topical treatments—including an FDA-registered over-the-counter acne treatment pad, cleansers, a toner, and a moisturizer—and oral supplements such as the SUPPLEMEANT to Be pre+probiotic+vitamin mix and a DIM-based hormonal acne supplement. The company's core technology is its patented SE Microbiome Complex, a formulation of prebiotics and postbiotics intended to suppress C. acnes while promoting beneficial skin bacteria, supplemented by SE Sugar Complex, a PreforPro bacteriophage mix, and an AI-driven personalization layer that ingests skin-quiz responses and ongoing test results to tailor product kits.

The company operates exclusively as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand on its Shopify-powered website (dermala.com), shipping to all 50 U.S. states via USPS. Revenue is generated through one-time purchases and recurring monthly subscriptions priced between $5 and $106, with a 20% discount on subscribe-and-save orders. The funnel relies on an educational blog, SEO content, an Instagram presence, an influencer/ambassador program managed on Dovetale, and a 10-question skin quiz that converts visitors into personalized #FOBO subscription kits. Primary customer segments are individuals with acne-prone skin (teens through adults), with secondary targeting of hormonal acne sufferers and microbiome-conscious consumers seeking inside-out, science-backed regimens.

Dermala was incubated at UC San Diego and JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation). The company has issued four U.S. patents covering microbiome applications for acne (two), skin aging, and eczema; holds trademarks on its proprietary ingredient complexes and product lines; and reports 817+ customer reviews with an 84% five-star rating alongside a 67-participant, 12-week clinical study reporting favorable outcomes relative to leading OTC benchmarks. Approximately $7.65 million in disclosed funding was raised between 2018 and 2020 from True Wealth Ventures, Cove Fund, Seventure Partners, and Johnson & Johnson Robotics and Digital Solutions.

Name

Dermala

Legal name

Dermala Inc.

Website

https://dermala.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dermala is a privately held, San Diego-based direct-to-consumer skincare company that sells personalized, microbiome-based topical and oral supplement products for acne and eczema via its Shopify website to U.S. consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Acne Treatment Skincare

NAICS

Health and Personal Care Retailers (4561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Antibacterial & Medicated Cleansers (e.g., Acne, Antifungal, Antiseptic) (CRABAEAH), Dermatology & Topical Skin Treatments (HLAIADAE)

Keywords

• Acne treatment products
• Microbiome skincare
• Probiotic supplements
• Personalized skincare
• Direct-to-consumer beauty

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Subscription: Monthly auto-ship subscription model where customers receive personalized product kits delivered automatically. Subscribers save 20% compared to one-time purchase pricing. Subscription can be modified or cancelled anytime.
2. Product Sales - One-Time Purchase: Individual one-time product purchases available for all product lines. Customers can try single products without committing to subscription.
3. Bundled Kit Sales: Pre-configured product bundles (e.g., Shine From Inside Kit, The Hydration Station Kit) offered at discounted prices compared to individual product purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dermala develops and sells a personalized, microbiome-based acne treatment system combining topical skincare products (cleansers, treatment pads, moisturizer, toner) with oral probiotic and hormonal-acne supplements, formulated around its patented SE Microbiome Complex technology. Customers take a 10-question skin quiz to receive a personalized monthly #FOBO Kit recommendation combining inside (supplements) and outside (topicals) treatments, available via subscription or one-time purchase directly from dermala.com.

Product overview

Dermala offers a personalized, microbiome-powered acne treatment system with both internal (supplements) and external (topical) products. The core portfolio includes SUPPLEMEANT to Be® supplements (Pre + Probiotic + Vitamin and DIM Skin Mix), SCANTILY Pad® acne treatment pads, OAT So Sweet™ moisturizer, Best CLEANSE Forever® cleansers for different skin types, and Do Your TONE Thing™ toner. Accessories include Skin Tests for tracking, BamBOO-tiful Reusable Face Pads, and a Dermala Bag. The flagship offering is the #FOBO Kit—a personalized monthly subscription combining products for inside-and-outside treatment, driven by a 10-question skin quiz, big data, and machine learning/artificial intelligence for continuous treatment optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SE Microbiome Complex®: Proprietary formulation of naturally occurring prebiotics and postbiotics that support a healthy microbiome by killing C. acnes (acne-causing bacteria) while promoting the growth of healthy acne-fighting bacteria.
• SCANTILY Pad®
• SUPPLEMEANT to Be®
• Best CLEANSE Forever®
• OAT So Sweet™
• Do Your TONE Thing™
• BamBOO-tiful™

Products and services

• SUPPLEMEANT to Be Pre + Probiotic + Vitamin Skin Mix Daily oral supplement combining prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (6.25 billion CFU of probiotic bacteria) to support gut microbiome balance and clear skin from within. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• SUPPLEMEANT to Be DIM Skin Mix Hormonal acne supplement containing DIM (diindolylmethane) from cruciferous vegetables that supports estrogen metabolism to address hormonally driven blemishes. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• SCANTILY Pad AM/PM acne treatment pads with patented SE Microbiome Complex and salicylic acid; FDA-registered over-the-counter drug for acne that reduces lesion number, size, and severity without over-drying or redness. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• OAT So Sweet Daily Moisturizer Probiotic facial moisturizer combining SE Microbiome Complex and SE Sugar Complex to hydrate, soothe, strengthen the skin barrier, and brighten dark spots from past blemishes. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• Best CLEANSE Forever (Normal/Combination Skin) Daily AM/PM facial cleanser with patented SE Microbiome Complex formulated for normal/combination acne-prone skin, using slightly acidic pH to fight acne while maintaining skin barrier health. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• Best CLEANSE Forever (Sensitive/Normal Skin) Gentle hydrating cleanser for dry, normal, or sensitive skin combining SE Microbiome Complex and SE Sugar Complex with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to balance the microbiome while hydrating and soothing. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• Do Your TONE Thing Toner pH-balanced microbiome toner with SE Microbiome Complex that gently exfoliates, controls excess oil, and decongests pores for blemish-prone skin; formulated with antioxidants and natural plant extracts. Sold via monthly subscription or one-time purchase.
• Dermala Skin Tests At-home test kit of one Skin Oiliness Test and one pH Test that lets customers track skin health improvements during acne treatment, with QR code-linked digital report card access.
• BamBOO-tiful Reusable Face Pads Set of 10 washable bamboo cotton terry pads with a machine-washable storage bag for applying or removing toner, cleanser, or makeup in an eco-friendly skincare routine.
• Dermala Baggu Bag Reusable skincare tote bag, a brand collaboration with Baggu, for carrying Dermala products.
• #FOBO Kit (Fear of Breaking Out) Personalized Subscription Personalized monthly acne treatment kit combining internal (supplements) and external (topicals) products selected by a 10-question skin quiz and continuously optimized using big data and AI based on individual skin tracking results.
• Daily-Use Body Spray Daily-use body spray formulated for blemish-prone skin, extending Dermala's microbiome-based treatment approach from face to body.
• Eczema Product Line Second microbiome-powered product line from Dermala addressing eczema-prone skin through combined topical and oral microbiome formulations.
• Post-Acne Microbiome Balancing Maintenance Line Post-acne maintenance line using microbiome-balancing formulations to sustain clear skin following completion of active acne treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90.3% of participants agreed their skin looks clearer after 12-week clinical trial
• +6 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Colgate-Palmolive CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2022Colgate Connect Challenge partnership where Dermala was awarded Grand Prize. This represents recognition and potential collaboration with Colgate's innovation initiatives in oral and personal care.
• JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Dermala was hatched up at UCSD and JLABS, the Johnson & Johnson Innovation incubator. JLABS provided startup resources, mentorship, and infrastructure support during early development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Drunk Elephant: Drunk Elephant is a science-led, ingredient-focused skincare brand (acquired by Shiseido for $845M) that disrupted the prestige skincare market with biocompatible formulations. Comparable in science-led, ingredient-transparency positioning though with a broader, non-acne-focused portfolio.
• The Ordinary: The Ordinary (DECIEM, owned by Estée Lauder) is a science- and ingredient-led skincare brand that disrupted pricing in the category. Comparable D2C-first distribution, science-forward branding, and acne-relevant product line (acids, retinoids, niacinamide).
• Differin (Galderma): Differin is a dermatologist-recommended OTC acne treatment brand (adapalene) owned by Galderma. Represents the established OTC acne category with FDA-approved retinoid treatment, sold through mass retail and drugstores.
• Proactiv: Proactiv is the legacy market-leading acne treatment brand, now owned by Galderma. It represents the incumbent mass-market alternative to personalized brands like Dermala, sold through DTC, TV infomercials, and retail with benzoyl peroxide-based regimens.

Direct peers

• Tula Skincare: Tula is a D2C probiotic skincare brand that similarly leverages microbiome science and pre/probiotic ingredients in cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments. Targets overlapping acne-prone and microbiome-conscious consumer segments via e-commerce and retail channels.
• Mother Dirt: Mother Dirt is a microbiome-focused skincare brand built around live bacteria and skin biome restoration. Closest peer in microbiome science positioning and product philosophy, though smaller and more narrowly focused on AO+ mist and biome-friendly cleansers.
• Curology: Curology is the leading direct-to-consumer personalized acne treatment brand, using telehealth-based provider consultations and custom prescription formulations. Most directly comparable to Dermala's personalized D2C acne offering with a quiz-driven onboarding funnel and subscription model.
• Hers (Hims & Hers Health): Hers offers personalized skincare including prescription and OTC acne treatments through a D2C telehealth platform with subscription delivery. Comparable business model and target demographic (women seeking convenient, science-backed acne solutions) and significantly larger scale and capital base.

Emerging players

• Yuni Beauty: Yuni is a smaller D2C microbiome-focused active beauty brand with an inside-out product approach (topicals plus ingestibles) for active lifestyles. Comparable in microbiome and ingestible+topical positioning, though more niche and active-lifestyle oriented.
• Codex Beauty (now Arcaea): Codex Beauty is a science-driven skincare brand focused on microbiome-friendly formulations and sustainable biotech ingredients. Comparable in microbiome-centric positioning and clinical/scientific branding, though with broader skin concerns beyond acne.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/dermala
• Xx.com/dermalainc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dermala