What Dermatone does

Dermatone Labs, LLC is a privately held, Connecticut-based consumer skincare company founded in 1981 by Ric Nelson after he acquired an original Swedish pharmacist's formula during a high-altitude skiing expedition. Operating with a lean team of approximately seven employees, the company specializes in sun, wind, cold, and chapping protection products formulated for outdoor athletes and enthusiasts exposed to extreme conditions, from Mount Everest to Death Valley. Its core portfolio comprises sport sunscreens (spray, lotion, and stick formats at SPF 30-50), a reef-safe mineral line using non-nano zinc oxide, barrier skin balms, medicated lip balms, anti-chafe products, and adjacent lifestyle offerings including biodegradable glitter kits, pet paw protection, and UV-protective apparel.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer e-commerce through dermatone.com anchors retail revenue with unit pricing ranging from $4.29 to $39.99 and bundles up to $134.99. Wholesale distribution extends reach into outdoor and sporting goods retailers, while Pro Deals serve verified outdoor professionals and team/organization bulk sales address ski patrols, resorts, clubs, and jobsites. Community-led marketing built around Olympic and elite athlete ambassadors (Jessie Diggins, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jaelin Kauf, Ed Viesturs, among others) drives top-of-funnel credibility, complemented by content marketing, email, and earned media coverage including Condé Nast Traveler recognition.

Dermatone has positioned itself around performance, environmental compliance, and heritage. Products carry broad-spectrum UVA/UVB claims, 80-minute water and sweat resistance (FDA maximum), and certifications including Climate Label, reef-safe compliance under Hawaii Act 104, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-recommended. The company appears to be founder-owned with no disclosed institutional investors or parent entity, and its sole revenue stream is one-time product sales across DTC, wholesale, and bulk channels.

Name

Dermatone

Legal name

Dermatone Labs, LLC

Website

https://dermatone.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dermatone Labs is a Connecticut-based, founder-owned skincare company that formulates and sells sun, wind, and cold protection products, primarily sunscreens, skin balms, and lip balms, for outdoor athletes and enthusiasts. It operates via DTC e-commerce, wholesale, Pro Deals, and bulk/team sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sun Care & Outdoor Skin Protection

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Sunscreen (Body) (CRABAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunscreen (Face) (CRABAHAA), Chemical Sun Protection (CRABAHAD), Sun Protection for Sensitive/Medical Needs (Reef-Safe, Hypoallergenic, Post-Procedure) (CRABAHAN), Sun Protection Lip Care (SPF Lip Balms) (CRABAHAK)

Keywords

• Sport sunscreen
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Skin protection balm
• Lip balm skincare
• Outdoor skincare

Headquarters

HQ city

Southport, Connecticut

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through dermatone.com with free shipping on orders over $40. Individual products and bundled packages sold directly to consumers.
2. Wholesale and Retail Distribution: Wholesale program for retail stores, sporting goods outlets, and outdoor gear retailers. Products available through third-party retail channels.
3. Pro Deals and Team Sales: Professional deals program for athletes, ski patrols, and outdoor guides. Bulk/team sales including 10-pack lip balms and gallon-size sunscreen for teams, clubs, and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dermatone manufactures and sells high-performance outdoor skin protection products including sport sunscreens (SPF 30–50 in spray, lotion, stick, and family-size formats), mineral/reef-safe sunscreens, skin balms for sun, wind, cold, and frostbite, medicated and mineral lip balms, pet paw protection, biodegradable glitter kits, and UV-protective apparel. The products are sold primarily direct-to-consumer through dermatone.com, with additional wholesale, Pro Deals, and bulk/team channels, and are tested in extreme conditions from Mount Everest to Death Valley.

Product overview

Dermatone is a sunscreen and skin protection company offering a diversified portfolio of outdoor skincare products. The core offering consists of Sport Sunscreens (spray, lotion, and stick formats in SPF 30-50) and a Mineral Sunscreen sub-line (reef-safe, non-nano zinc oxide), complemented by Skin Balms & Skin Protection products (barrier balms for sun, wind, cold, and frostbite), Lip Balms (medicated and flavored SPF 30 options plus SPF-free repair), Pet Products (paw protection), and themed Glitter Kits. Bundles package complementary products for specific activities (weekend, travel, outdoor protection, family) and occasions. Apparel includes UV-protective t-shirts and hoodies made from recycled materials. The product line serves outdoor athletes and enthusiasts with high-performance protection tested in extreme conditions since 1981.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunscreens (Sport & Mineral Line) High-performance sunscreen products including Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF50, Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 (with Family Size 16oz and 1 Gallon options), Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, and Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF50. All sport formulas are broad-spectrum, water- and sweat-resistant, oxybenzone-free, and Hawaii Act 104 compliant; designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Skin Balms & Skin Protection Barrier balms and skin protection products for sun, wind, cold, chapping, and frostbite. Includes Skin Protector Balm SPF 23, Skin Protector Creme w/ Zinc SPF 30, Lips and Face Clear Stick SPF30, Camphor Ice Skin Balm, and Anti-Chafe Body Stick. Tested in extreme conditions from Mount Everest to Death Valley for outdoor athletes and adventurers.
• Lip Balms Lip protection products including Original Medicated Lip Balm SPF30, Mineral Lip Balm SPF30 (Reef Safe), Lip Therapy (SPF-free for overnight repair), and flavored varieties (Pomegranate, Coconut, Green Tea, Mango). Available in single packs, 3-packs, 5-pack gift sets, and 10-pack bulk options for outdoor athletes and everyday users.
• Mineral Sunscreen Line Reef-safe mineral sunscreen sub-line using non-nano zinc oxide. Products include Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF30, Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF50, and Mineral Lip Balm SPF30. Hawaii Act 104 compliant, oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free, formulated to rub in clear; targeted at ocean-aware consumers and reef environments.
• Pet Products Dog paw protection products including the Pet Paw Protection Stick, a hands-free twist-up balm that shields paws from snow, pavement, salt, sand, and ice. The Dog Walker Bundle pairs the Paw Protection Stick with a human skin balm for active dog owners.
• Glitter Kits Biodegradable glitter kits pairing two mini Lips & Face Balm sticks with two pots of cosmetic-grade biodegradable glitter and four themed stencils. Available in event-themed sets including Snow/Ski, Football/Cheer, Festival, Marathon, Patriotic, and Sailing.
• Apparel & Accessories Outdoor lifestyle apparel including Unisex 'Endless Summer' T-Shirt (Navy, Dark Green), 'Spring Skiing' Short-Sleeve T-Shirt, 'See You Outside' T-Shirt, 'Get Out. Stay Out.' T-Shirt, and the 'Gearbag' UV50 Long-Sleeve Hoodie made with REPREVE recycled fibers from 17 plastic water bottles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80 minutes water and sweat resistance (FDA maximum claim)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jessie DigginscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOlympic cross-country skier, most decorated U.S. skier of all time, and first U.S. Gold Medalist in cross-country skiing. Primary brand ambassador featured on homepage and product pages. Year-round user of Dermatone products for training in all weather conditions.
• Ryan Cochran-SieglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo-time Olympian and 2022 Silver Medalist in Super G. Skier and outdoor athlete who promotes Dermatone for protection during racing and adventure activities.
• Jaelin KaufcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2022 Olympic Silver Medalist in freestyle skiing, 2018 Olympian, two-time World Championship medalist. Promotes Dermatone for year-round ski and outdoor protection.
• Ed ViesturscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnly American to have climbed all 14 of the world's 8,000-plus-meter peaks. Longtime Dermatone user for high-altitude expeditions. Testimonial endorser for extreme altitude protection.
• Sarah HauserminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuinness World Record holder for Largest Wave Windsurfed, 3x winner of International Windsurfing Tour. Uses Dermatone for ocean water sports protection.
• Chris DavenportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo-time World Champion skier and first person to ski all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks. Professional mountain sports athlete and ski guide.
• Mike LibeckiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlpinist and explorer specializing in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Uses Dermatone for 24-hour sunlight protection in polar regions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stream2Sea: Stream2Sea is a direct peer in reef-safe mineral sunscreen, with formulations explicitly tested for aquatic environments and Hawaii Act 104 compliance — comparable to Dermatone's mineral line in positioning and regulatory posture.
• Sun Bum: Sun Bum is a direct competitor in sport/lifestyle sunscreen, offering SPF 30-50+ sport sprays, lotions, and lip balms with a beach-and-active-lifestyle positioning that closely mirrors Dermatone's outdoor-athlete focus.
• Badger Balm: Badger is a direct peer in mineral, reef-safe, and natural outdoor balms and sunscreens, including zinc-oxide sport and family lines and lip balm SPF — directly comparable niche and formulation positioning to Dermatone's mineral line.
• All Good Products: All Good is a direct competitor in mineral, reef-safe, and clean-ingredient sunscreen and lip balm, with a coral reef-safe positioning and natural/eco certifications comparable to Dermatone's mineral line credentials.
• Thinksport: Thinksport is a direct competitor in sport-specific sunscreen and lip balm, with athlete-friendly positioning, oxybenzone-free formulations, and active-family messaging that overlap Dermatone's sport and family segments.
• Australian Gold: Australian Gold is a direct competitor in sport and outdoor sunscreen, including broad-spectrum sport lotions and mineral/reef-safe sub-lines with active-lifestyle positioning that mirrors Dermatone's outdoor-athlete segment.

Broad incumbents

• Banana Boat: Banana Boat is a broad incumbent in mass-market sunscreen, including sport and family lines. Directly overlaps Dermatone on product category but competes through broad distribution and mass marketing rather than outdoor-specialist positioning.
• Coppertone: Coppertone is a broad incumbent and category-defining mass-market sunscreen brand with sport and mineral sub-lines. Comparable to Dermatone on product category but not on outdoor-niche specialization or athlete-led positioning.
• Neutrogena: Neutrogena is a broad incumbent offering sport, mineral, and beach sunscreens at mass-market scale. It overlaps with Dermatone on category and broad-spectrum SPF claims but does not specialize in the outdoor/extreme-conditions niche.
• Hawaiian Tropic: Hawaiian Tropic is a broad incumbent in sun care with sport and mineral sub-lines and strong beach/travel presence. Comparable category overlap with Dermatone but differentiated by mass-market versus outdoor-niche positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dermatone

Compliance1 record

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 Dermatone