Dermatologist-founded skincare brands are on the rise. Just look at the skincare lines by Dr. Barbara Sturm, Dr. Dennis Gross and Rose Ingleton MD, all who have their own skincare lines.
“Derm brands,” as they’re called, have expert-research backed formulas that are niche targeted for specific problems, be it acne, aging or dark spots. The results are far more outstanding than your average over-the-counter products.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Bansal has been in practice for roughly 15 years, serving an upward of 80,000 clients at her office, Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology in Columbia, MD.
That wasn’t enough. Her clients needed more help, products that have medical-grade ingredients to fight off acne, rosacea and aging, among other skin issues—with sustainable results. It led Dr. Bansal and her husband, Dr. Andy Mattai, MD, to launch DoctorDerm, a company that fuses together bespoke skincare products with teledermatology (telemedicine and dermatology), which they founded in 2022.
“DoctorDerm provides cost-efficient, effective care for common dermatological conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema,” said Bansal. “The company offers innovative, multi-prescription compounds with a super-moisturizing and anti-inflammatory base, making high-quality dermatologic care more accessible.”
DoctorDerm was founded in a thriving private dermatology practice with a full team of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses. It features products like the Clear Defense (daily sunscreen), AcneFixRX (for acne) and DarkSpotRX (for dark spots), among other products.
“DoctorDerm was born out of our observations after over 15 years in clinical practice; that patients are waiting a long time to see a dermatologist, just for their insurance companies to deny coverage for needed medications,” she said.
There are many patients who live in what she calls “Derm Deserts” and can’t access care. “Anyone who has acne, rosacea, or eczema knows that it’s difficult to get many prescription products covered, and if they are covered, the prices are often unaffordable; hundreds of dollars a month,” she said. “DoctorDerm makes this process easier by streamlining the visit into a quiz, and ensuring patients get fair pricing on their prescription compounds.”
DoctorDerm has become a way for patients to get prescription products delivered to their homes without the traditional wait and insurance hassle. “Our medical grade ingredients are sourced for both prescription products and over-the-counter products, such as our sunblock, moisturizer, and cleanser,” she said. “The gap in the market is that many people go untreated, or undertreated, due to lack of providers, wait times and insurance issues.”
DoctorDerm’s website has an online survey that helps clients find the right skincare for them, creating bespoke products catering to everyone. “We create customized products based on a patient’s skin concern,” she said. “Our quiz ascertains what they’re concerned about, what their medical history is, and what they’ve tried in the past to determine what will work best for them going forward.” Next up, DoctorDerm will offer new products focusing on cutting edge ingredients for anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, and cell communication and renewal.
“DoctorDerm is physician-led, unlike many competitors,” said Bansal, “ensuring expert-driven skincare solutions.” She runs her practice independently, avoiding private equity ownership. The goal is to focus on “ethical, patient-centered care,” she says, noting that the future of dermatology lies in telemedicine. “Many telemedicine companies are not run by dermatologists, which can lead to lower-quality care,” she said. “DoctorDerm is led by a board-certified dermatologist, ensuring clinical excellence.”
Meanwhile, the co-founders of Honor MD, Ursula Diaz and Dr. John Diaz, a board-certified plastic surgeon, recently launched their skincare brand, which specializes in what’s called “ethnobotanical skincare,” meaning that it derives much of its products from plants, as well as clean beauty.
“We started Honor MD to address the real-life skin concerns we saw in both our patients and us; especially acne, dark spots, fine lines, and uneven texture,” said Ursula Diaz. “I was pregnant at the time and couldn’t use my usual prescription treatments, like tretinoin.
She didn’t want to use oil-based products, so worked together with Diaz to create a clean, hyaluronic acid-based retinol alternative. “It’s gentle enough for pregnancy and nursing, but powerful and effective for anyone looking for results-driven skincare,” she said. “I used it throughout both my pregnancies; it helped clear my acne, brighten my skin, and even softened lines.”
Now, Honor MD has several products, including cleanser, serums and toners. “We set out to fill a major gap in the market for clean, clinical skincare that’s both effective and safe for all skin types and life stages,” said Ursula Diaz. “What truly sets us apart is our use of ethnobotanical ingredients inspired by our heritage; like cat’s claw bark from Peru, moringa from the Dominican Republic, and antioxidant-rich coffee from Nicaragua. We combine these culturally rooted, time-honored botanicals with cutting-edge clinical science to create formulas that are both meaningful and effective.”
Kevin P. Giang Barrera is a marketing researcher and doctoral candidate in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Giang Barrera says that dermatologists are in high demand and so are their products.
“At the most basic level, it’s about demand,” he said. “The skin care market is booming. We are talking about a global industry projected to reach $236 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, according to Statistica. The U.S. alone is one of the hottest markets, especially for products like cleansers and acne treatments. So, from a business standpoint, launching their own skincare line is a smart way to tap into that momentum.”
Giang Barrera notes that it’s more than just marketing, it’s about credibility. “Unlike traditional brand influencers or celebrities, dermatologists have medical expertise, which gives their products a sort of built-in trust factor,” he said. “Consumers see them as experts, not just marketers, which make their products feel more effective and reliable.”
Since dermatologists have a front-row seat to see real skincare problems every day, they know what clients need. “When we buy skincare, we’re not buying instant tangible results – we’re buying a promise, much like with weight-loss, hair-growth, or tooth whitening products,” said Giang Barrera.
“What drives our purchases is the hope for a better self. And because we are visual beings; “before-and-after” content is so compelling, especially when presents progressive changes over time. Dermatologists who start their own skincare lines is a smart move that blends expert credibility with genuine success stories, making it a powerful formula in today’s skincare market.”