Derma International

What Derma International does

Derma International is a privately held, owner-operated manufacturer and direct-to-consumer distributor of permanent cosmetic pigments, founded in 1989 and based in Kempton, Pennsylvania. The company formulates and sells a 107-color palette across 13 categories (Blacks, Blondes, Blues, Browns, Grays, Greens, Mauves, Oranges, Pinks, Reds, Russets, Skin & Areola, and Violets) using FDA-approved colorants including iron oxides, titanium dioxide, organic pigments, and manganese violet, with documented lightfastness and bleed resistance ratings. The Color Index numbering system, ingredient disclosures, and proprietary camouflage and areola lines are positioned as technical differentiators, with founder Elizabeth Finch-Howell's bench-chemist expertise and 35+ years of formulation experience serving as the core knowledge asset.

The company's go-to-market is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce website (derma-international.com) shipping liquid pigments from 1/4 oz to gallons and powder pigments from 1 lb to 55 lb bags at $30 per standard bottle, with a Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotional structure. Secondary revenue streams include a distributor pricing tier, private label/white-label packaging, special pricing for trainers and SPCP members, and recurring color training classes for permanent cosmetic technicians. Distribution extends internationally on a per-order routing basis, and bulk SKUs support a B2B reseller channel.

The customer base is split between licensed permanent makeup technicians (primary segment, for cosmetic tattooing of brows, lips, eyeliner) and medical professionals performing reconstructive camouflage and areola tattooing. The company is bootstrapped, sub-10-employee, and concentrated in ownership between Elizabeth Finch-Howell (Founder, Creator, Owner, and Bench-Chemist) and part-owner Mechele Cherill, with no institutional funding, no disclosed revenue, and no recent M&A, leadership turnover, or material strategic pivots documented.

Name

Derma International

Legal name

Derma International

Website

https://derma-international.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Derma International, founded in 1989 in Kempton, Pennsylvania, manufactures and directly distributes 107 FDA-compliant permanent cosmetic pigments in liquid and powder formats to permanent makeup technicians and medical camouflage practitioners via e-commerce, training classes, and distributor or private label channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Permanent Cosmetic Pigments

NAICS

Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (45612)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Permanent Makeup Pigments & Supplies (Microblading/PMU Pigments, Aftercare Color Products) (CRABACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Colors & Color Systems (Natural/Artificial, Caramel Colors) (CRADAOAG)

Keywords

• Permanent cosmetic pigments
• Cosmetic tattoo supplies
• Pigment manufacturing
• Color training classes
• Medical tattoo pigments

Headquarters

HQ city

Kempton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pigment Product Sales: One-time product sales of permanent cosmetic pigments sold in various sizes (liquid 1/4 oz up to gallons; powder 1lb up to 55lb bags). Core business revenue stream.
2. Color Training Classes: Permanent cosmetic color training classes held throughout the year. Customers fill out forms for more information, suggesting paid training programs.
3. Distributor and Private Label Packages: Special pricing available for distributors and private label packages, indicating B2B revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Derma International formulates, manufactures, and distributes permanent cosmetic pigments used by professional permanent makeup technicians and medical professionals. The product line includes 107 FDA-compliant colors in liquid and powder formats across 13 categories, sold direct via e-commerce with supplementary color training classes, distributor pricing, and private label packaging.

Product overview

Derma International is a specialized distributor and manufacturer of permanent cosmetic pigments, offering a portfolio of 107 colors across 13 color categories (Blacks, Blondes, Blues, Browns, Grays, Greens, Mauves, Oranges, Pinks, Reds, Russets, Skin & Areola, and Violets). The company's core offering consists of FDA-compliant pigments formulated from the FDA's Approved Colorant Chart for Food, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics, available in both liquid (1/4 oz to gallons) and powder (1lb to 55lb bags) formats. Derma International also provides color training classes for permanent cosmetic technicians and offers special distributor pricing, private label packages, and MSD sheets upon request. The product portfolio is anchored by the Color Index System with CI numbers and ingredient listings, supported by educational resources including spot test guidelines and FAQ documentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permanent Cosmetic Pigments (107-Color Line) FDA-compliant permanent cosmetic pigments for professional cosmetic tattooing procedures including eyebrow enhancement, eyeliner, lip coloring, microblading, areola reconstruction, and skin camouflage. Available in 107 colors across 13 categories (blacks, blondes, blues, browns, grays, greens, mauves, oranges, pinks, reds, russets, skin & areola, violets) in liquid (1/4 oz to gallons) and powder (1lb to 55lb bags) formats. For permanent cosmetic technicians and medical professionals.
• Permanent Cosmetic Color Training Classes
• Distributor Pricing and Private Label Programs Bulk pricing and white-label/private label packaging programs for distributors, trainers, SPCP members, and partners seeking to resell or rebrand Derma International pigments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 107 colors available - more than any other permanent cosmetic pigment company

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Perma Blend: One of the most widely distributed PMU pigment brands globally, offering a broad portfolio of lip, brow, and eyeliner pigments sold through professional channels. Closely comparable to Derma International in product category (PMU pigments), customer base (technicians and studios), and FDA-compliant formulation approach.
• LI Pigments: Long-standing US-based PMU pigment manufacturer with a multi-decade catalog of brow, lip, eyeliner, and corrective pigments, including camouflage shades. Directly comparable to Derma in pigment manufacturing, technician customer base, and positioning around color science and training.
• Tina Davies Professional: PMU pigment brand focused on microblading and machine-based brow pigments with strong digital marketing and professional education programs. Comparable to Derma as a PMU pigment specialist serving permanent makeup technicians, though with a heavier emphasis on branding and social media.
• MicroBrows (Swiss Color): Swiss-based microblading and PMU pigment manufacturer with an international distribution footprint. Comparable to Derma in pigment formulation for microblading and PMU procedures, serving the same technician customer base with FDA/EU-compliant formulations.
• Purebeau New Cosmedical: German manufacturer of permanent makeup pigments, devices, and training programs with a strong presence in Europe. Comparable to Derma as a PMU pigment specialist with in-house formulation, broad color range, and bundled training/education GTM.
• Goldeneye Pigment / Long-Time-Liner: European PMU pigment and device brand with a long operating history and broad international distribution. Comparable to Derma in pigment manufacturing for permanent cosmetics with extensive color catalogs and technician training programs.

Broad incumbents

• BioTouch USA: Larger permanent cosmetics and microblading supplier offering pigments along with machines, needles, and training supplies. Comparable to Derma in PMU pigment manufacturing but operates at broader scale and a wider product portfolio across the full technician supply chain.
• Amiea / MT.DERM: German manufacturer of professional PMU devices, needles, and pigment lines, distributing globally to permanent cosmetic professionals. Comparable to Derma in pigment manufacturing and PMU customer base but operates a much broader equipment-and-supplies portfolio.

Emerging players

• Evenflo Colors / Cosmetic Pigment Suppliers: Smaller PMU pigment brand offering FDA-compliant iron oxide and organic pigment lines for permanent cosmetics. Comparable to Derma in color range and target customer (technicians), though with a smaller established catalog and less brand recognition.

Others

• Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) Supplier Network: Industry association where Derma's founder served as past president and which lists multiple approved pigment suppliers. Indirectly comparable as an industry ecosystem participant where Derma competes for inclusion in member-recommended vendor lists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Derma International