Founder Profile: Empowering Skin Care With Nu Dao of Skin Allies

I ran product teams in eComm and new retail venture-backed startups for 8 years in San Francisco. I come into this with deep tech roots and a heavy focus on consumer experiences.

My own personal experiences with skin issues through my mid and late 20s left me feeling confused and dejected, not to mention it was incredibly costly. The average dermatologist visit will run you $500 – $1K, and most insurance plans don’t cover it.

It was a constant trial and error process. I set out to create a new set of clinical standards for OTC skincare. We’re in the information age, which means people are self-diagnosing far more than they used to. The industry itself is not heavily regulated by the FDA, so consumers are relying on misinformation (thanks internet!) to self diagnose. I believe skincare is actually a healthcare product, not a cosmetic product. We’re treating the largest organ and our body’s alarm system. It shouldn’t be a science experiment, and it should be affordable for long term sustainable care.

We effort to bring clinical standards and clarity to an industry that’s full of clutter. Our mission is to become the top trusted skincare resource across the globe.

We leverage dermatologists and their medical expertise to custom tailor skincare regimens. Clinical standards for everyone, without the price tag.

As far as we know there’s nothing quite like us on the market today. There are plenty of specialty beauty retailers, but none that leverage experts the way we do and offer the personalized telemedicine service.

Our regimens are $59 for the full dermatologist evaluation & consult + 14 day trial regimen of 6-8 products. This would cost $350 – $500 at retail. Investors will be happy to learn that our gross profit is approximately 70% on the starter regiments.

Someone in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties, in urban metros like New York, Austin, California. Busy working professionals with a lack of time to either 1) do the research necessary to find the right products that will drive results for the skin or 2) go see a dermatologist to get personalized recommendations.

First, there are consumers. Then, Dermatologists. Last, of course, there are skincare brands.

We competed with 4 other Republic startups at Jason Calacanis’ Launch Festival and won 1st place. Already we are working with a roster of 70 vetted brands and manage a network of the top dermatologists across the country. Last, but certainly not least, we’re growing at 20% month over month. Our conversion from starter regimens to full size is 60%, with AOV in the $200 range.

Skin Allies is innovating to solve a common problem that demands a solution.