Lamelle

What Lamelle does

Lamelle Research Laboratories is a South African biotechnology-driven skincare company headquartered in Northriding, Johannesburg, founded in 2005 and operating as a privately held business with 11-50 employees. The company develops and sells evidence-based dermatological skincare products formulated to repair, restore, and protect skin at the cellular level, organized into distinct sub-brands including Clarity (acne treatment), Luminesce (hyperpigmentation and brightening), Correctives (AHA, BHA, and enzyme exfoliation), and Helase (DNA-repair sun protection). Core technical differentiators include patented bio-peptides (Oligopeptide-34 and Pentapeptide-13), a proprietary retinoic acid ester formulation, the first skincare application of dual hyaluronidase inhibitors in the HA+ Serum, and proprietary DNA repair enzymes (Photolyase and 8-OGG-1) used in the Helase range.

Lamelle monetizes through a dual-channel go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via a Shopify-powered storefront (lamelle.co.za) selling a catalog of 72 products across categories such as acne treatments, anti-aging, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and supplements; and a professional in-salon treatment channel called Alchemy, through which trained skincare practitioners deliver treatments including Nova Microneedling, Alchemy Facials (Hydrating, Age-prevent, Purity, Pigmentation, and Pregnancy variants), and professional peels (Rice Bran AO, Retistore, AzeAc, TCA, Synergy, Beta, Beta Plus, Lacti-Firm). Marketing is supported by an educational content engine (The Science of Skin blog, LaPelle digital publication) and active presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. The company serves South African consumers and professional skincare practitioners, with no disclosed international distribution, external investors, or M&A activity.

Name

Lamelle

Legal name

Lamelle Research Laboratories

Website

https://lamelle.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lamelle Research Laboratories is a South African biotechnology skincare company founded in 2005 that develops and sells evidence-based dermatological products and professional in-salon treatments for acne, hyperpigmentation, anti-aging, and sun protection. It serves consumers via Shopify e-commerce and trained skincare practitioners across South Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Skincare & Dermatological Products

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional Skincare & Facial Treatments (CRABALAF), Professional/Backbar Skincare (Esthetician & Spa Use) (CRABAAAK)

Keywords

• Advanced skincare products
• Anti-aging treatments
• Acne treatment solutions
• Professional skincare peels
• Dermatological sun protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: The company sells skincare products directly to consumers through their Shopify-powered e-commerce website, offering products across multiple categories including acne treatments, anti-aging, moisturizers, serums, and professional peels.
2. Professional In-Salon Treatments: Lamelle's Alchemy professional treatments are performed by trained skincare professionals in salons, combining expert techniques with cutting-edge formulations for transformative results. Professional peels are also offered as in-salon treatments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lamelle Research Laboratories is a South African biotechnology-driven skincare company that develops, manufactures, and sells evidence-based dermatological skincare products (acne, anti-aging, pigmentation, sun protection) directly to consumers via its Shopify e-commerce store, and additionally offers professional in-salon treatment protocols (Alchemy facials, professional peels, and Nova microneedling) performed by trained skincare practitioners using the company's proprietary formulations.

Product overview

Lamelle Research Laboratories is a South African advanced skincare company offering a comprehensive portfolio of evidence-based dermatology products and professional in-salon treatments. The product ecosystem consists of multiple distinct lines: Clarity (acne treatment range including cleansers, serums, spot treatments, masks, body spray, and lotions); Correctives (AHAs, enzyme treatments, and targeted serums); Luminesce (advanced hyperpigmentation treatment range with cleansers, day/night creams, rich moisturizer, sunscreen, and eye cream); and Helase (broad-spectrum sun protection with DNA repair technology including SPF 50+, Urban Defence, and tinted variants). Professional offerings include the Alchemy Facial program with personalized treatments (Hydrating, Age-prevent, Purity, Pigmentation, and Pregnancy therapies); professional peel treatments (Rice Bran AO, Retistore, AzeAc, TCA, Synergy, Beta Plus, Beta, Lacti-Firm peels, and Retinol Serum); and Nova Microneedling Treatment. Products are powered by biotechnology and dermatological science, targeting concerns including acne, ageing, pigmentation, and barrier repair.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clarity Clear Lotion

Quantifiable outcome

• Clarity Active Body Spray clinically proven to improve acne by up to 86% in 8-12 weeks
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• iS Clinical: Biotech-driven cosmeceutical brand combining pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with a professional + DTC model — comparable to Lamelle in clinical credibility, proprietary ingredient story, and dual-channel GTM.
• PCA Skin: US-based professional skincare brand with an extensive professional peel portfolio and a medical-professional channel, mirroring Lamelle's evidence-based positioning and professional-treatment focus.
• NeoStrata: Dermatologist-developed skincare brand built around patented glycolic acid/AHA technology and clinical peels — directly comparable to Lamelle's Correctives AHA range and professional peel portfolio.
• ZO Skin Health: Founded by Dr. Zein Obagi, ZO is a medical-grade skincare line built around proprietary retinoid and pigmentation protocols distributed via physicians and med-spas — directly comparable to Lamelle's evidence-based, prescription-adjacent model.
• Dermalogica: Global professional skincare brand sold primarily through trained skin therapists, with strong educational content and product categories overlapping Lamelle's acne, anti-aging, and pigmentation ranges.
• Environ Skin Care: South African-founded professional skincare brand using a vitamin A 'step-up' system and a strong esthetician/therapist channel — the closest geographic and structural peer to Lamelle.
• SkinCeuticals: L'Oréal-owned dermatologist-recommended skincare brand built on patented bio-active formulations (CE Ferulic, Phloretin CF) and a professional-plus-retail channel model — closely parallels Lamelle's science-first, dual GTM approach.

Broad incumbents

• Obagi Medical: Long-established medical-grade skincare brand owned by Valeant/Bausch Health with broad physician-dispensed product lines — a broader incumbent with overlapping 'medical-grade' positioning but much wider portfolio and scale.
• La Roche-Posay: L'Oréal's dermocosmetics flagship with pharmacy-led global distribution, dermatologist endorsements, and clinical claims — a wide-portfolio incumbent competing for the same evidence-based skincare consumer.

Emerging players

• The Ordinary (DECIEM): Biotech-rooted single-active skincare brand that disrupted global skincare with transparent, science-forward formulations and aggressive DTC pricing — comparable science-led DNA but very different price/positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQddDPfeysz1Dn3myLKFomw
• Facebookfacebook.com/LamelleResearchLaboratories
• Instagraminstagram.com/lamellersa/?hl=en
• TikTokyoutube.com/channel/UCQddDPfeysz1Dn3myLKFomw
• Xx.com/lamelleSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lamelle-research-laboratories

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 Lamelle