SkinQ

What SkinQ does

SkinQ, operated by Health Q Lifesciences Private Limited, is an Indian direct-to-consumer dermo-cosmetics brand founded in 2021 and operationally headquartered in Gurugram (with registered office in Bengaluru). The company formulates, markets, and sells dermatologist-developed skincare products targeted primarily at melanin-rich and Indian skin types, addressing acne and oil control, pigmentation and uneven tone, and barrier damage/dehydration. The SKU base centers on five core products — Daily Gentle Cleanser, Sun Protect Ultra Light Gel SPF 50+, Brightening Serum, Acne & Oil Control Serum, and Moisture Balm — complemented by three masks (Glow Bright Mask, Acne Control Mask, Hydrate & Nourish Mask), five curated combos/regimens, two at-home facial kits, and three product ranges (Hydration, Acne, Brightening). All formulations are screened by Co-Founder and Chief Formulator Dr. Chytra V Anand, an MD Dermatologist with 20+ years of experience, and validated through in-vivo (human volunteer) clinical testing under a methodology the brand calls "Math of Beauty." Quantified clinical outcomes disclosed per SKU include metrics such as +162% instant hydration (Moisture Balm), 97% visible tan reduction (Glow Bright Mask), -18% sebum reduction in 30 minutes (Acne & Oil Control Serum), +35.3% skin radiance (Brightening Serum), 55.1% acne redness reduction (Acne Control Mask), and 97.5% UVB / 74% blue light protection (Sun Protect).

The commercial model is product-led and direct-to-consumer via the company's own Shopify-based skinq.com storefront, with pan-India shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee on acne regimens to reduce purchase friction. Unit prices span Rs 249 (travel-size sunscreen) to Rs 2,800 (comprehensive kit bundles), with free merchandise incentives on orders above Rs 899. Acquisition and conversion are driven by MyQ, an AI-powered skin assessment tool that combines computer-vision face scanning with environmental data (UV index, humidity, pollution, geography), lifestyle inputs, and hormonal factors to recommend personalized skincare routines; supporting channels include a dermatologist-authored skincare blog, email newsletters, WhatsApp customer support, and product-page social proof in the form of star ratings and review counts (e.g., 201 reviews on Moisture Balm, 172 on Glow Bright Mask).

Capital and corporate history is limited. In December 2023, the company closed a Rs 3 crore (~US$362K) seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures, with participation from CreedCap Asia Advisors, Peaceful Progress, Super Angels, and Venture Catalysts, earmarked for product launches, R&D, team expansion, and international (USA retail) growth. In February 2026, HealthQ Life Science (SkinQ's parent) was acquired by Puresta, an AI-powered dermatology platform startup founded by Ashish Mishra alongside The Man Company cofounders Hitesh Dhingra and Bhisham Bhateja, as part of Puresta's Rs 34 crore pre-seed round led by Spring Marketing Capital; the SkinQ brand continues to operate under Health Q Lifesciences Private Limited, with its formulations slated for integration into Puresta's full-stack AI dermatology platform.

Name

SkinQ

Legal name

Health Q Lifesciences Private Limited

Website

https://skinq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SkinQ is an Indian D2C dermo-cosmetics brand selling dermatologist-formulated skincare (cleansers, serums, sunscreens, moisturizers, masks, combos, and facial kits) targeted at melanin-rich and Indian skin types through its own e-commerce site, supported by an AI-powered personalized skin assessment tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermo-Cosmetics Skincare

NAICS

Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB), Facial Skincare (Cleansers, Toners, Moisturizers) (CRABAAAA), Sensitive Skin & Barrier Repair (CRABAAAG)

Keywords

• Dermatologist-formulated skincare
• Dermo-cosmetics brand
• Melanin-rich skincare
• AI skin assessment
• Direct-to-consumer skincare

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Skincare Product Sales: SkinQ generates revenue through direct sales of dermatologist-formulated skincare products including cleansers, sunscreens, serums, moisturizers, masks, and curated regimen kits sold via its e-commerce platform skinq.com to consumers primarily in India.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SkinQ formulates and sells its own line of dermatologist-formulated, in-vivo clinically tested skincare products—including cleansers, sunscreens, serums, moisturizers, masks, curated combos, and at-home facial kits—through its direct-to-consumer website skinq.com, targeting primarily Indian consumers with melanin-rich skin. Skin assessment and product matching is delivered to customers via its proprietary MyQ AI tool, which analyzes facial images and environmental factors to recommend personalized regimens.

Product overview

SkinQ is a dermatologist-formulated dermo-cosmetics brand focused on melanin-rich skin, offering clinically tested, in-vivo proven skincare products. The portfolio centers on five core products (Daily Gentle Cleanser, Sun Protect Ultra Light Gel SPF 50+, Brightening Serum, Acne & Oil Control Serum, and Moisture Balm) complemented by specialized masks (Glow Bright Mask, Acne Control Mask, Hydrate & Nourish Mask), curated combos (Acne Combo, Hydrate Combo, Glow & Hydrate Trio, Clean & Clear Trio, Acne Control Trio), and facial kits (Detan+ Glow Active Facial Kit, Hydrate Active Facial Kit). Products are organized into three targeted ranges: Hydration Range for barrier repair, Acne Range for oil control, and Brightening Range for pigmentation. The offering is differentiated by MyQ AI Skin Assessment, an AI-powered personalization tool that analyzes skin images, environmental factors, and lifestyle data to recommend tailored skincare routines. Products address concerns including acne-prone/oily skin, dull/tanned/pigmented skin, and dry/dehydrated skin. The company was acquired by Puresta in February 2026 as part of their AI-powered dermatology platform expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Daily Gentle Cleanser Gentle foaming cleanser with niacinamide, evening primrose oil, and glycerin that deep cleanses without irritation, maintains pH 5.2-5.5, and removes micro-pollution (PM 2.5); suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.
• Sun Protect Ultra Light Gel SPF 50+ Broad-spectrum sunscreen delivering 97.5% UVB, 74% blue light, and 35.2% IR protection; suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.
• Brightening Serum Face serum that targets pigmentation and dark spots using kojic acid, lactic/malic acid, and licorice extract, clinically shown to deliver +35.3% skin radiance and -5.3% melanin content reduction.
• Acne & Oil Control Serum Serum with azelaic acid and retinol liposomes designed to mitigate acne, reduce redness, and regulate sebum, showing -18% instant sebum reduction in 30 minutes and -13% visible redness reduction within 3 days.
• Moisture Balm Barrier-repairing ceramide moisturizer with ceramide trio (C3, C9, C6-II), sodium hyaluronate, Vitamin E, and shea butter, providing +162% instant hydration and +112% hydration retained after 72 hours.
• Glow Bright Mask Clay-based brightening face mask with Brazilian Purple Clay, glycolic acid, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and licorice extract, clinically proven to deliver 97% visible tan reduction, 28% pore-size reduction, and 21% smoother skin.
• Acne Control Mask Acne treatment mask with zinc PCA, colloidal sulphur, lava clay, salicylic acid, and niacinamide, delivering 55.1% reduction in acne redness and 43.6% reduction in acne size.
• Hydrate & Nourish Mask Hydrating mask with ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, amino acids, and lactic acid, delivering 187% instant hydration increase and 17% instant improvement in skin barrier.
• Acne Combo Bundled acne treatment combining the Acne & Oil Control Serum with the Acne Control Mask, targeting acne by unclogging pores, regulating oil, and calming redness while supporting the skin barrier.
• Hydrate Combo Hydration bundle pairing Hydrate Serum with Moisture Balm, combining ceramide-based barrier repair with sodium hyaluronate for 162% instant hydration and 112% hydration retained after 72 hours.
• Acne Control Trio Three-product acne regime including cleanser, serum, and mask that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if no visible improvement is seen.
• Clean & Clear Trio Three-product cleansing and acne control regime combining Daily Gentle Cleanser, Acne & Oil Control Serum, and Moisture Balm for comprehensive acne management.
• Glow & Hydrate Trio Brightening regime pairing brightening and hydration products, using kojic acid to reduce melanin while lactic/malic acid gently exfoliates for natural brightness.
• Detan+ Glow Active Facial Kit Seven-step at-home facial kit designed to reduce tan, dullness, and uneven tone, with 93.75% of users reporting visible detan results.
• Hydrate Active Facial Kit Seven-step hydrating facial kit with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glucono delta lactone, and Vitamin E, with 87.5% of users reporting smoother skin.
• MyQ AI Skin Assessment AI-powered personalized skin assessment tool that analyzes facial images and environmental factors (UV index, humidity, pollution, location) to generate customized skincare routines, concern prioritization, and product matching.

Quantifiable outcome

• +162% Instant Hydration (Moisture Balm)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PurestacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Puresta acquired HealthQ Life Science, parent company of SKINQ, as part of building an AI-powered full-stack dermatology platform. SKINQ's dermatologist-formulated products are being integrated into Puresta's AI platform to deliver personalized skincare regimens.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Minimalist: Indian D2C dermatologist-formulated skincare brand built around clinically-backed actives (e.g., retinoid, niacinamide, salicylic-acid serums) sold direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce site — directly comparable actives-led positioning, D2C model, and Indian consumer target.
• Plum: One of India's largest D2C skincare and beauty brands selling vegan, dermatologist-tested products across cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen via its own e-commerce site — highly comparable D2C gtm motion, Indian target market, and category adjacency.
• mCaffeine: India-based D2C skincare and personal-care brand selling caffeine-enriched cleansers, serums, masks, and sunscreens via own e-commerce — comparable D2C model, influencer-led acquisition, and acne/brightening skincare focus relevant to SkinQ.
• Juicy Chemistry: Indian D2C brand selling dermatologist-formulated, certified organic skincare for acne, pigmentation, and barrier concerns — comparable Indian target market, dermatologist-formulation emphasis, and D2C-first gtm.
• WOW Skin Science: Mass-market Indian D2C beauty and skincare brand selling cleansers, serums, masks, and sunscreen online with strong omni-channel push — comparable D2C model, India consumer base, and overlapping skincare categories.
• The Derma Co: Indian D2C dermat-formulated skincare brand from the Honasa Consumer umbrella, focused on actives (niacinamide, retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA) for acne, pigmentation, and brightening — comparable dermatologist-formulation positioning and D2C go-to-market.
• Deconstruct: Indian D2C skincare brand selling dermatologist-backed actives-based serums and creams targeted at acne, pigmentation, and aging consumers — directly comparable actives-led, dermatologist-formulated, India D2C positioning.
• Dr. Sheth's: Indian dermatologist-founded D2C skincare brand with formulations targeted at Indian/melanin-rich skin and acne/pigmentation concerns — directly comparable dermatologist-founder credibility and Indian-skin specialty.
• Dot & Key: Indian D2C skincare brand selling cleansers, serums, masks, and sunscreen targeted at Indian consumers via own website and marketplaces — comparable D2C gtm motion and Indian consumer category overlap.

Broad incumbents

• La Roche-Posay: Global dermo-cosmetic brand owned by L'Oréal, positioning itself on dermatologist-developed, clinical-grade skincare for sensitive and problem-prone skin — a broader incumbent that competes in the same dermocosmetics category SkinQ occupies, particularly in sensitive-skin and acne ranges.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/myskinq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors5 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 SkinQ