What Advanced Skin Technology does

Advanced Skin Technology (AST), operating through its legal entity Salient Labs, LLC, is a privately held, founder-owned skincare company founded in 2001 by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nia Terezakis. The company develops and sells dermatologic-grade topical skincare products, anchored by its patented Green Polymer Cooling Gel™ (GPCG) delivery system used in the flagship Green Cream® high-potency retinol line, which is offered in three progressive concentration levels (3, 6, 9) under a Progressive Leveling Protocol. The portfolio also includes acne treatments (Unagel® with proprietary AdpHantage Active™ neutralized salicylic acid; Theraspec™ micronized benzoyl peroxide wash), an antioxidant ceramide gel (Cynerge®), a body moisture sealant (Aqualant®), a hyaluronic acid hand sanitizer (HydraGen®), a poison ivy wash using manganese sulfate chelation, and a CBD-based cooling roll-on (Remedol).

AST operates from a 5,000 square-foot facility in Fletcher, North Carolina, near Asheville, after relocating from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Products are manufactured in the USA and sold primarily through a direct-to-consumer Shopify e-commerce storefront at advskintech.com, with a wholesale login portal supporting partner resale. Unit pricing ranges from $16.00 (HydraGen) to $74.99 (Acne Treatment + Prevention System bundle), with no subscription model and a 60-day return policy; the company sells on a one-time-purchase basis. The firm is bootstrapped with no disclosed funding, 1-10 employees, and serves US-based individual consumers primarily through its DTC site and dermatology-prescribed recommendations.

The company's go-to-market relies on content marketing (Healthy Skin Blog, email newsletter with 10% first-order incentive) and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest) to drive DTC traffic, complemented by its longstanding dermatology-channel credibility built over nearly two decades. Eight registered trademarks and patented formulation IP underpin the differentiation claims, including the assertion of offering the highest non-prescription retinol concentration available, supported by a survey of 400+ Green Cream users and reported outcomes such as 83% of Level 6 users exhibiting little or no irritation.

Name

Advanced Skin Technology

Legal name

Salient Labs, LLC

Website

https://advskintech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Advanced Skin Technology is a privately held, founder-owned US skincare company that formulates and sells dermatologic-grade topical products — led by its patented Green Cream® retinol line — directly to consumers and via dermatology and wholesale channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermatologic Skincare

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Health and Personal Care Retailers (4561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Sensitive Skin & Barrier Repair (CRABAAAG)

Keywords

• Dermatologic skincare products
• Retinol anti-aging treatments
• Acne treatment cleansers
• Moisturizing body sealants
• Physician-formulated cosmetics

Headquarters

HQ city

Fletcher

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: E-commerce sales of skincare products directly to consumers through the company website. Products include retinol treatments, acne cleansers, moisturizers, and specialty treatments sold at various price points from $16 to $74.99.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale channel available for partners to purchase products for resale. Accessed through wholesale login portal on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Advanced Skin Technology manufactures and sells dermatologic-grade skincare products centered on its patented Green Cream® high-potency retinol line, offered in three progressive concentration levels (3, 6, 9). The portfolio also includes pH-neutralized acne treatments (Theraspec™, Unagel®), an antioxidant vitamin C/E ceramide gel (Cynerge®), a body moisture sealant (Aqualant®), a hyaluronic-acid hand sanitizer (HydraGen®), a manganese-sulfate poison ivy wash, and a CBD-based cooling roll-on for muscle and joint pain. Products are sold primarily direct-to-consumer through the company's e-commerce website and through a wholesale channel for resellers.

Product overview

Advanced Skin Technology offers a science-based skincare product portfolio centered around its patented Green Cream® retinol line available in three potency levels (3, 6, and 9). The company provides targeted solutions for specific skin conditions including acne treatment (Theraspec™ Acne Wash, Unagel®), sun damage and anti-aging, environmental protection (Cynerge® vitamin C/E), and moisture sealing (Aqualant®). Additional offerings include specialized products for poison ivy relief (Dr. West's Poison Ivy Wash), hand sanitization with skin conditioning (HydraGen®), and pain relief (Remedol Cooling Roll On). The portfolio also includes bundled solutions like the Acne Treatment + Prevention System. Founded in 2001, the company manufactures its products in the USA with a focus on delivering clinically effective formulations through proprietary delivery systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Cream: High potency retinol skincare product available in three levels (Level 3, 6, and 9) using proprietary Green Polymer Cooling Gel delivery system.
• Aqualant
• Cynerge
• HydraGen
• Unagel
• Theraspec
• Dr. West's Poison Ivy Wash
• Remedol

Products and services

• Green Cream® - Level 3 Beginner-level high-potency retinol skincare cream using the patented Green Polymer Cooling Gel™ (GPCG) delivery system, designed for newcomers to retinol and people with sensitive skin. Packaged in a 1 oz. airless pump bottle at $38.00.
• Green Cream® - Level 6 Intermediate-level high-potency retinol cream using the GPCG delivery system, recommended for experienced retinol users and most skin types. Priced at $47.00 per 1 oz. airless pump bottle.
• Green Cream® - Level 9 Highest-potency non-prescription retinol cream in the Green Cream line using GPCG delivery, intended for experienced retinol users only. Priced at $55.00 per 1 oz. airless pump bottle.
• Aqualant® All-over body moisture sealant designed to lock in water while creating a protective barrier against environmental stressors, packaged in a 6.5 oz. bottle at $36.75.
• Cynerge® Silky gel formulation combining micro-encapsulated ascorbic acid with tocopherol for synergistic antioxidant activity, plus ceramides for hydration and barrier support. Sold at $37.00 per unit.
• HydraGen® Hand sanitizer combining germ-killing effectiveness with skin conditioning, using micronized hyaluronic acid and jojoba esters for moisture restoration and an environmental barrier. Priced at $16.00 per 5.3 oz. bottle.
• Unagel® Acne control gel using the proprietary AdpHantage Active™ pH-neutralized salicylic acid formulation with healing botanicals to calm and gently exfoliate blemished skin. Priced at $34.00 per unit.
• Theraspec™ - Acne Wash Acne cleanser with 5% micronized benzoyl peroxide designed to penetrate pores and eliminate P. acnes bacteria with minimal irritation, while non-comedogenic emollients keep skin hydrated. Priced at $23.00 per 7.5 oz. foaming pump.
• Dr. West's Poison Ivy Wash Topical wash leveraging manganese sulfate to chelate urushiol from poison ivy, oak, and sumac exposure, providing cooling and soothing relief from itching and rash. Priced at $16.95 per 4 oz. spray bottle.
• Remedol - Cooling Roll On Cooling roll-on formulation using CBD to ease muscle and joint aches and pains via dermatology-principle delivery to the source of pain. Priced at $46.00 per unit.
• Acne Treatment + Prevention System Bundle combining Theraspec™ Acne Wash, Unagel®, Green Cream® Level 3, and a bonus ultrasonic cleansing scrubber pad for comprehensive acne treatment and prevention. Priced at $74.99.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of Green Cream users started with Level 6 with no side effects when following instructions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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 moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Paula's Choice: Direct-to-consumer clinical skincare brand with a strong retinol and BHA/acne portfolio. Direct competitor in the scientific-DTC-acne-and-anti-aging niche, with a far larger digital marketing footprint than AST.
• iS Clinical: Science-driven skincare brand with proprietary active-delivery technologies targeting aging, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Comparable in its reliance on clinically-positioned formulations and professional/medical channel roots, with a similar mix of direct and clinical distribution.
• Jan Marini Skin Research: Skincare company specializing in retinol-based anti-aging products and chemical peels historically sold through physicians and skin care professionals. Closely comparable in target conditions (aging, acne, sun damage) and clinical/professional positioning.
• PCA Skin: Professional-grade skincare brand with a portfolio including retinol treatments, acne solutions, and chemical peels sold primarily through licensed skin care professionals and medical practices. Closely mirrors AST's clinical positioning and channel mix between pro-channel and direct purchase.

Broad incumbents

• SkinCeuticals: L'Oreal-owned medical-grade skincare brand built around physician-dispensed actives (retinol, vitamin C, antioxidants). Directly comparable to Advanced Skin Technology in dermatologic-grade positioning and retail through dermatology/medical channels, but vastly larger in scale and resources.
• Dermalogica: Professional skincare brand distributed through licensed skin therapists, spas, and select retail. Overlaps with AST on acne and anti-aging treatment positioning and shares a professional-channel go-to-market lineage.
• Obagi Cosmeceuticals: Long-established physician-dispensed skincare brand famous for retinol and tretinoin-based regimens. Closely overlaps AST's dermatology-channel origins and high-potency retinol positioning, though operating at significantly larger scale under Valeant/Bausch Health ownership.
• Murad: Doctor-founded clinical skincare brand with categories covering retinol anti-aging, acne treatment, and environmental protection. Comparable in doctor-driven formulation heritage and treatment-segment focus.
• Differin: Galderma-owned OTC retinoid (adapalene) brand in the consumer acne-treatment category. Comparable in OTC retinoid positioning to AST's Unagel and Theraspec acne lines, with substantially larger mass-market distribution.
• La Roche-Posay: L'Oreal-owned dermatologist-developed brand specializing in sensitive skin, acne, and anti-aging with retinol-based products. Overlaps with AST on dermatologic-grade OTC acne and retinol offerings but at massive mass-market scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/advskintech
• Facebookfacebook.com/advancedskintech
• Instagraminstagram.com/advskintech
• Pinterestpinterest.com/advskintech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/adv-skin-tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Advanced Skin Technology