Derma UK

What Derma UK does

Derma UK Ltd is a privately held dermatological pharmaceutical company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, operating with 11-50 employees. The company markets a portfolio of 11+ branded products spanning prescription medicines, over-the-counter preparations, medical devices, and dermatological cosmetics. Its portfolio includes several legacy brands with multi-decade heritage, notably Covermark (a skin camouflage brand with origins traceable to a 1932 US patent and 80+ years of market presence), Hibitane (a 60+ year antiseptic brand), and Ultrabase (a 40+ year emollient cream), alongside actively developed lines such as Sebco, Menthoderm, and the Rash Talk® educational platform acquired in 2023.

The company's products are sold through a multi-channel go-to-market model. NHS prescriptions form the core commercial channel, with the company holding formulary positions including a March 2025 DHSC appointment for Sebco. Distribution is facilitated through nationwide UK wholesale partnerships with AAH Pharmaceuticals, Phoenix Healthcare Distribution, and Lexon UK, providing broad pharmacy reach. A direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel was relaunched in January 2022 via sk1n.co.uk, and the company has expanded clinically targeted product variants, including the Hibitane Obstetric Cream single-patient-use pack launched in May 2021 and the Menthoderm 5% SLS Free formulation launched in September 2022.

Derma UK monetises primarily through wholesale supply to UK pharmacies at prices positioned below NHS Drug Tariff benchmarks for select products, NHS prescription dispensing revenue, and direct consumer sales of cosmetic and over-the-counter dermatology products. The customer base is concentrated within UK NHS prescribing channels serving dermatology, obstetric, and skin camouflage indications, supplemented by specialist private pharmacy and consumer segments. No public funding rounds, acquisitions beyond Rash Talk®, or external investors are disclosed, and the company appears to be self-funded through operational cash flow.

Name

Derma UK

Legal name

Derma UK Ltd

Website

https://dermauk.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Derma UK is a Newcastle upon Tyne-based dermatological pharmaceutical company that markets 11+ branded prescription, OTC, medical device, and cosmetic products — including Covermark, Hibitane, and Sebco — to NHS prescribers, UK wholesalers, and consumers via its sk1n.co.uk channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermatological Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Health and Personal Care Retailers (456)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK), Dermatology & Topical Skin Treatments (HLAIADAE), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

Keywords

• Dermatological pharmaceuticals
• Topical skin treatments
• NHS prescription products
• Skin camouflage cosmetics
• Obstetric antiseptic creams

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Revenue generated through sales of dermatological products to NHS trusts, healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and directly to consumers via prescription, OTC, and e-commerce channels.
2. NHS Prescriptions: Products such as Menthoderm® and Covermark® are available on NHS prescription and listed on NHSBSA dm+d database.
3. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Consumer products sold directly via sk1n.co.uk online platform including GSL products for home delivery.
4. Pharmacy OTC Sales: Products distributed through pharmacies as OTC/GSL items including Covermark®, Cetavlex®, Siopel®, and Ultrabase®.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Derma UK develops, acquires, and distributes a portfolio of branded dermatological pharmaceutical products including prescription medicines (Betesil® medicated plaster, Hibitane™ Obstetric Cream), OTC emollient and itch-relief creams (Menthoderm®, MenthAq®, Sebco™, Ultrabase®, Siopel®, Cetavlex®), medical devices for diagnostic use (Colposol®, Oscosol®), and the Covermark® skin camouflage cosmetic line. Products are sold through NHS prescriptions, pharmacy retail, wholesale distributors, and the company's own consumer e-commerce platform sk1n.co.uk.

Product overview

Derma UK is a dermatological pharmaceutical company with a diversified portfolio of 11+ branded products acquired and developed since 2001. The portfolio includes prescription medicines (Betesil® medicated plaster, Hibitane™ Obstetric Cream), OTC products (Menthoderm®, MenthAq®, Sebco™, Ultrabase® Cream, Siopel®, Cetavlex®), medical devices (Colposol®, Oscosol® diagnostic solutions), and cosmetics (Covermark® skin camouflage). Products address dermatological conditions including eczema, psoriasis, inflammatory skin disorders, itch/pruritus, and infection control in obstetrics/gynaecology. The company operates a consumer e-commerce platform (sk1n.co.uk) alongside professional distribution via NHS, pharmacies, and wholesalers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rash Talk®: Dermatology discussion programme including magazine, podcasts, webinars, and symposiums for healthcare professionals
• sk1n

Products and services

• Betesil® 2.250 mg medicated plaster

Quantifiable outcome

• Skin conditions account for 24% of all GP appointments (Skin Conditions in the UK, HCNA 2009)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AAH PharmaceuticalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2022Multi-channel distribution partner for Derma UK portfolio. Part of new distribution model effective February 2022 ensuring nationwide product availability and continuity of supply.
• Phoenix HealthcarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2022Multi-channel distribution partner for Derma UK portfolio. Part of new distribution model effective February 2022 ensuring nationwide product availability.
• Lexon UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2022Multi-channel distribution partner for Derma UK portfolio. Part of new distribution model effective February 2022 ensuring nationwide product availability.
• British Dermatological Nursing Group (BDNG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2021Partnership for educational webinar series 'Going back to basics' covering dermatological topics. Joint delivery of CPD-certified webinars on practical management of psoriasis, patient itch, and eczema. Rash Talk® programme launched at BDNG Annual Conference 2023 with live podcasts.
• Psoriasis AssociationminorOthersListed as useful resource link on Derma UK website under dermatology resource links.
• British Skin FoundationminorOthersListed as useful resource link on Derma UK website under dermatology resource links.
• National Eczema SocietyminorOthersListed as useful resource link on Derma UK website under dermatology resource links.
• British Association of DermatologistsminorOthersListed as useful resource link on Derma UK website under dermatology resource links.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Galderma: World's largest independent dermatology company covering prescription, aesthetics, and consumer skincare; overlaps with Derma UK's acne, rosacea, and skin camouflage categories.
• Almirall: European specialty dermatology pharma with broad prescription and OTC portfolio in psoriasis, eczema, and actinic keratosis; competes in similar prescription dermatology categories.
• Dermapharm: German dermatology-focused pharma with branded generics and specialty products across eczema, psoriasis, and skin infections; comparable therapeutic focus area.
• LEO Pharma: Global dermatology-focused pharmaceutical company with broad psoriasis, eczema, and skin infection portfolios; significantly larger but competes directly in the same therapy areas like topical steroids and emollients.

Direct peers

• Thornton & Ross: UK dermatology and OTC pharma company (now part of STADA) with comparable portfolio of NHS-prescribed and consumer dermatology brands; closest comparable in size and channel mix.
• Dermal Laboratories: UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology prescription and OTC products, similar size and distribution model to Derma UK with NHS and pharmacy channels.

Emerging players

• Marlborough Pharmaceuticals: UK-based specialty pharma with dermatology and women's health products, similar size and NHS-focused distribution model.
• Sinclair Pharma: Aesthetics and dermatology-focused pharma with prescription and skin-health products; comparable niche specialty positioning though more aesthetics-focused.
• Dermavant Sciences: Dermatology-focused biotech developing novel topical therapeutics for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; overlapping therapeutic focus.

Others

• AAH Pharmaceuticals: UK's largest pharmaceutical wholesaler and Derma UK's distribution partner; relevant as a channel ecosystem comparator rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DermaUKLTD
• Facebookfacebook.com/DermaUKLTD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 UK