ETHEREAL

What ETHEREAL does

ETHEREAL (이트리얼) is a privately held South Korean company that develops, manufactures, and distributes dermatological and aesthetic cosmetics under its flagship DR+LAB (닥터랩) brand, originally launched in 2007. The company is headquartered in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is led by CEO Lee Young-chang (이영창). Its product portfolio spans professional-grade skincare (ampoules, creams, masks, cleansers, toners, sunscreens, color-correcting BB/CC creams), patented actives including the Natural Protector antioxidant, BioPeptha stem-cell ingredient, and patent-pending Naflex12 yuzu extract, plus specialized lines such as Hydra-Derma Centellaca, the Cenesis scalp clinic system, and the For Inner Y-Solution feminine care serum. The business is built on a hybrid go-to-market combining B2B field sales to dermatologists, clinics, and aesthetic shops (5,000+ domestic partner locations), D2C e-commerce through the official online mall, home shopping distribution, and a growing international channel spanning China (via wholly-owned subsidiary 德莱博/DekLAB and CFDA approval), Thailand, Hong Kong, Dubai, New Zealand (Unichem Pharmacy), and the US. Revenue is generated through one-time wholesale purchases from professional partners and direct consumer sales; pricing is not publicly disclosed.

In October 2025, ETHEREAL signed a value-up curation partnership with V-LOOK (비에레브) to jointly pursue the global cosmeceutical market, signaling an explicit strategic shift from single-brand professional distribution toward a co-developed global growth platform. The company's R&D is anchored by an in-house skin science research institute developing functional customized formulations for clinical blending use, and competitive positioning rests on brand heritage (17+ years), channel depth in Korean dermatology clinics, proprietary patented ingredients, and the regulatory barrier of its CFDA approval for the Chinese market. No AI/ML capabilities, no disclosed external funding, and no M&A activity appear in the available record.

Name

ETHEREAL

Legal name

(주)이트리얼

Website

https://ethereal.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ETHEREAL (이트리얼) is a privately held South Korean dermacosmetic company operating the DR+LAB brand, selling patented skincare products through 5,000+ domestic dermatology clinics and aesthetic shops plus distributors in China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Dubai, New Zealand, and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermatological Cosmetics

NAICS

Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (325620)

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), Professional Skincare & Facial Treatments (CRABALAF), Dermatology & Topical Skin Treatments (HLAIADAE)

Keywords

• Dermatological cosmetics
• Professional skincare products
• K-beauty skincare
• Derma-cosmetics
• Aesthetic clinic products

Headquarters

HQ city

Mapo

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cosmetics Product Sales: Sale of dermatological and aesthetic cosmetics products including skincare solutions, creams, masks, cleansers, and specialized products (hair, body, inner beauty). Revenue generated from B2B sales to clinics/aesthetic shops and direct-to-consumer online sales.
2. Home Shopping: Distribution through home shopping channels for expanded consumer reach beyond online mall and clinic channels

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ETHEREAL develops, manufactures, and sells professional-grade dermatological cosmetics under the Dr.Lab (닥터랩) brand, including skincare solutions, ampoules, creams, masks, cleansers, BB/CC creams, sun care, and specialized inner beauty products. Products are formulated through an in-house skin science research institute with patented/quantified active ingredients and are designed for customizable blending use in hospitals, dermatology clinics, and aesthetic shops, with parallel consumer availability through online and home shopping channels.

Product overview

ETHEREAL (이트리얼) is a diversified Korean company operating primarily through its flagship dermocosmetic brand DR+LAB (닥터랩), launched in 2007. The product portfolio centers on professional-grade skincare solutions for hospitals, clinics, and aesthetic shops, with products that can be customized for various treatment environments. Core product lines include: moisturizing oils (모이스처 라이저 밸런스 오일), vitamin C brightening solutions (화이트팩터 비타C 13 솔루션), CICA-based calming lines (하이드라-더마 센텔라시카), specialized scalp care (세너시스), inner beauty feminine care (포 이너 와이 솔루션), cleansers (허니 모이스처 밸런스 젤 클렌저, 액티브자임 밀크 클렌저), and color-correcting cosmetics (BB/CC creams). The company also offers general consumer products through online malls, H&B retail, and home shopping channels. Distribution spans over 5,000 domestic hospital and aesthetic locations with international expansion into China, USA, Thailand, New Zealand, and Middle East markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dr.Lab (닥터랩): Derma-cosmetics brand for hospitals, aesthetic clinics, and spas, offering skincare solutions, ampoules, creams, masks, and specialized treatment products. Founded in 2007.

Products and services

• Dr.Lab (닥터랩) Dermacosmetic Brand Primary dermacosmetic brand providing skincare solutions for hospitals, clinics, and aesthetic shops with professional-grade products customizable for various treatment environments. Distributed across 5,000+ hospital and aesthetic locations in Korea with international expansion into China, USA, Thailand, New Zealand, and other markets.
• Dr.Lab White Pack Beta-C 13 Solution (닥터랩 화이트팩터 비타C 13 솔루션) Whitening functional ampoule containing 13% pure vitamin C with one-time blister packaging to prevent oxidation. Includes niacinamide for whitening and wrinkle improvement, suitable for sensitive skin. For clinics, aesthetic shops, and consumers seeking brightening solutions.
• Dr.Lab Moisture Riser Balance Oil (닥터랩 모이스처 라이저 밸런스 오일) 100% natural plant-derived face oil containing olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, rosewood oil, and lavender oil. Provides moisturizing and skin protection for dry skin including sensitive and acne-prone skin types.
• Hydro-Derma Centella Asiatica Series (하이드라-더마 센텔라시카 시리즈) Skincare line featuring Centella Asiatica (CICA) extract with quantified extracts (madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid) for collagen promotion, regeneration, and inflammation relief. Includes solution/ampoule, cream, and mask formats.
• Dr.Lab For Inner Y Solution (닥터랩 포 이너 와이 솔루션) Inner beauty feminine care serum with pH 4.3 acidic formula maintaining healthy vaginal pH balance (3.5-4.5). Addresses moisture, elasticity, itching relief, and whitening for intimate area care. Features plant-based active ingredients and patent-pending Naflex12 Yuzu extract.
• Dr.Lab White Pack Beta-Vital Toner (닥터랩 화이트 팩터 바이탈 토너) Hydrating toner with vitamin complex and plant-derived fermented extract complex providing double moisture protection and whitening effect as first step in skincare routine.
• Dr.Lab Honey Moisture Balance Z Cleanser (닥터랩 허니 모이스처 밸런스 젤 클렌저) Gel cleanser containing honey extract, natural-derived surfactants, and beta-glucan for deep cleansing with moisture adsorption and honey moisturizing effect.
• Dr.Lab Cell Activating Mist (닥터랩 셀 액티베이팅 미스트) Moisture regeneration mist with triple functional certification (whitening, wrinkle improvement, UV protection). Contains Natural Protector patented ingredient, phyto-oligo for sebum control, marine collagen, adenosine, and niacinamide. Can be used over makeup.
• Cenesis Customized Scalp Clinic System (세너시스 두피 클리닉 시스템) Customized scalp clinic system launched in 2013 for professional hair and scalp care treatment. Targets hair loss prevention and scalp health improvement for use in clinics and aesthetic shops.
• Dr.Lab CC Cream (닥터랩 CC크림) Color correction cream for skin tone evening and complexion coverage. Provides lighter coverage than BB cream with color-correcting benefits.
• DR.LAB BB Cream BB cream for skin tone coverage, blemish concealment, and skin protection. Multiple formula variations available.
• Dr.Lab Non-Chemical Sun Fluid (닥터랩 넌 케미컬 선 플루이드) Mineral-free/waterless sunscreen fluid providing advanced sun protection without chemical UV filters.
• BioPeptha Revitalizing Series (바이오팸타 리바이탈라이징 시리즈) Revitalizing skincare line featuring patented Bio Pepita Stem Cell ingredient. Includes cream and other formulations for skin regeneration and anti-aging.
• Dr.Lab Blue Cam Soothing Gel (닥터랩 블루 캄 수딩 겔) Soothing gel for skin calming and post-treatment recovery. Contains guaiiazulene, aloe, and centella asiatica for skin damage improvement and post-laser soothing. Used as moisturizing pack in dermatology and aesthetic clinics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products used in 5,000+ domestic clinic and aesthetic shop locations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vielev (비에레브)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2025Value-up curation business agreement signed in October 2025 for joint global cosmeceutical market strategy. Collaboration to strengthen market positioning and expand global presence
• WizWell (위즈웰)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 February 2011Wellness shopping mall partnership for health and beauty product distribution. WizWell wellness shopping mall (www.wizwell.com) partnered for online distribution of Dr.Lab products
• WizCoze (위즈코즈)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 May 2010Online distribution partnership established in 2010 for online sales of Dr.Lab products through WizCoze platform
• Chinese Distributors and BuyerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Chinese distributors and buyers for market entry following CFDA regulatory approval
• Bangkok Export PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMOU signing for Bangkok export to expand presence in Southeast Asian markets
• Unichem Pharmacy (New Zealand)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with New Zealand's largest pharmacy chain for distribution of K-Beauty products

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AHC: Korean derma-cosmetics brand (originally by Carver Korea, now under Unilever) that sells professional-grade skincare through clinics, aesthetic shops, and consumer retail. Directly comparable to Dr.Lab in product positioning, distribution model, and target dermatology channel.
• Dr. Jart+: Premium Korean derma-cosmetics brand owned by Estée Lauder, sold through dermatologists, Sephora, and department stores. Closely comparable product philosophy (dermatologist-developed skincare) and similar Korean professional-to-global-consumer brand trajectory.
• Aestura: AmorePacific-owned dermatological skincare brand specializing in ceramide-based and sensitive-skin products distributed through Korean clinics and pharmacies. Direct competitor in the professional dermatology channel.
• Atopalm: Korean derma-cosmetic brand (originally Neopharm) focused on atopic and sensitive-skin formulations with patented MLE (Multi-Lamellar Emulsion) technology. Comparable professional-channel derma positioning and similar product IP-led differentiation.
• Dr. Different: Korean derma-cosmetics brand founded by dermatologists that markets through clinics and direct-to-consumer channels globally. Closely comparable founder-led, doctor-driven derma positioning and international K-Beauty export model.
• Mediheal: Korean sheet mask and skincare brand that built its professional identity through dermatologist recommendations and expanded to global retail. Comparable derma-positioned brand that pivoted from B2B/professional to mass consumer K-Beauty.

Emerging players

• HUGEL (Chaeum): Korean biopharmaceutical company with a cosmeceutical/skin booster line (Chaeum, The Chaeum). Comparable in the sense that it bridges pharma-grade development with skincare products, similar to ETHEREAL's clinically-positioned portfolio.
• Cellcosmet: Swiss cosmeceutical brand selling through dermatologists, spas, and premium retail. Useful international benchmark for the clinic-channel, professional-use derma-cosmetics model that ETHEREAL pursues domestically.

Broad incumbents

• Amorepacific: Korea's largest beauty conglomerate whose subsidiaries (Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, Aestura, Illiyoon) span both professional and consumer skincare. Relevant as a broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps ETHEREAL's positioning across multiple price tiers.
• LG Household & Health Care: Major Korean beauty conglomerate owning OHUI, Su:m37°, Belif, The History of Whoo, and derma brands. Overlaps with ETHEREAL in derma-adjacent professional positioning and is a likely strategic acquirer or benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=Dr.Lab+%EB%8B%A5%ED%84%B0%EB%9E%A9

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 ETHEREAL