By Neha Mehrotra
02-Sep-2024
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of skincare or consider yourself a full-blown skincare aficionado, chances are Dermalogica has made its way onto your radar. Even if you haven’t tried it yourself, you probably know someone who swears by it, or you’ve noticed the brand in your local salon. That’s because this American skincare powerhouse, founded in 1986 by skin therapist Jane Wurwand, has built its reputation on a foundation of education, allowing it to not just survive but thrive in an increasingly crowded beauty market.
From introducing cutting-edge teaching tools like D-streaming to recently launching the Dermalogica Expert Program, Dermalogica has always prioritised healthy skin over passing beauty trends. We spoke to Heather Hickman, Vice President of Global Education for The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, to learn more about the innovations that continue to set Dermalogica apart in a competitive landscape.
1. How have you seen the skincare industry evolve over the past three decades, particularly in terms of advanced skincare modalities and techniques?
Skincare has increasingly transitioned from being viewed as a luxury to becoming a necessity. Reflecting on the industry from 30 years ago, it was predominantly associated with spas and indulgent pampering. However, this perception has significantly evolved. Today, consumers regard the skincare industry and professional skincare as authoritative experts in the field, capable of making a substantial impact on skin health.
2. What trends or innovations in the skincare industry are you most excited about right now?
While there are so many trends happening, I think that there are some anti-trends as well, which are really interesting. Some things that are starting to phase out are people’s views towards ageing. They are looking at healthy ageing rather than augmented ageing. More individuals are now opting for treatments like radiofrequency, microneedling, laser therapy, and advanced peels that promote skin health without altering one's natural appearance.
3. In a world where consumers are becoming more aware about skincare, how does Dermalogica ensure that its educational content remains relevant and authoritative?
As a professional skin therapist, one needs to maintain the authenticity of the information, making sure it’s correct. At Dermalogica, we always make sure that we are conducting extensive research and provide clinical evidence, before-and-after results, and solid facts to support our claims. This helps our skin therapists address queries with confidence.
4. Do you have any specific considerations for the Indian market, given the diverse climates, water quality, and varying skin textures across different regions?
Absolutely. One of the products that we're going to be bringing to the Indian market very soon is based on hyperpigmentation. After extensive research and discussions with the Dermalogica Indian team, we've identified a significant issue with uneven skin tone and pigment in Indian skin. The challenge is that many of the peels available for pigmented skin, particularly for those with Fitzpatrick types 4, 5, and 6, aren't suitable. They often lead to inflammation, which can cause hyperpigmentation, creating a vicious cycle. We've been diving deep into understanding melanin-rich skin and developing treatments that incorporate pro-resolution technology, especially for the Indian market.
5. How do you see the role of technology evolving in the future of skincare education?
Dermalogica is leveraging technology, particularly artificial intelligence, across all facets of its business operations. A key initiative is within the realm of education. We have developed an online portal for our professional skin therapists, known as 'The Book,' where we have integrated an AI-driven search tool. This tool allows skin therapists to ask any question related to Dermalogica, and it searches across all Dermalogica websites globally to provide an accurate and comprehensive response.
6. What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the professional skincare industry, and how is Dermalogica addressing them?
The biggest challenge in the skincare industry today is the growing demand from consumers for more advanced services. Consumers are ready to visit dermatologists or medical practitioners for their skin services. At Dermalogica, we’re focused on elevating the role of professional skin therapists by enhancing their skills and empowering them to offer these advanced treatments. Our products are compatible for use with advanced machines like RF, Laser, and HydraFacial. We have also introduced peels so that our therapists can offer advanced facials to their customers.
7. Can you highlight some of the sustainable initiatives that Dermalogica is implementing?
We've transitioned all our packaging to recycled plastic and introduced refillable options for our top products, the Daily Microfoliant and Special Cleansing Gel, both of which are available in India. We have created a fully recyclable spring for our pumps—an industry innovation. Additionally, we've assembled a dedicated team at our Los Angeles headquarters focused on researching sustainable ingredients for use in our formulations. We're also ensuring that everything in our warehouse is biodegradable.
8. What are your future plans for expanding or enhancing the offerings at Dermalogica?v
We are advancing our professional product offerings, allowing clients to receive medical-grade treatments with Dermalogica through their doctors, as well as maintenance treatments with professional skin therapists. We are also expanding our product range, including the introduction of a microneedling pen with nano infusion, which we aim to bring to India around this time next year.
In terms of education, we are continually seeking ways to reach more people. A significant step in this direction is live streaming, where we guide professional skin therapists through treatments in real-time, directly in their treatment rooms. We are also elevating our curriculum by incorporating advanced techniques such as derma planing, microneedling, and advanced peeling, ensuring our therapists remain at the forefront in a rapidly evolving industry.
