Dermalogica advanced the industry in 1983 by providing post-graduate education to licensed skin therapists, and has continued their role under the Unilever umbrella since the acquisition of the business in 2015. For over 30 years the brand has provided not only professional-grade products but also training and leadership to spa owners and individual estheticians around the globe.

The forced closures of spas and salons because of COVID-19 created an impact that was immediate and hard because most businesses in this channel are not set up to do online sales. Dermalogica immediately stepped up to support their tribe to adapt and plan.

• Opened the Dermalogica.com affiliate program to all accounts and increased commission rate from 15%–30%, payable in cash or product credit vouchers.
• Extended payments for accounts with credit card payment terms.
• Offering free returns on orders—up to $500 cashback with free return shipping, and no restocking fee.*
• Extended use of Derm Dollars through July 15.
• Doubled their digital streaming classes, offering more opportunities to learn skills at home.
• Established a business resource page offering bi-weekly livestreams, financial planning guides, online marketing materials, digital class curriculums, and more.

“We have 20,000 small businesses worldwide and it is our responsibility to help them open in a safe way,” said Aurelian Lis, Chief Executive Officer of Dermalogica. “In the aftermath of this wave of COVID-19 and the next one, we want to say that these are the additional things you need to do.”

As the shutdown begins to lift, Dermalogica is stepping up again, taking the lead on establishing guidance and certification as the professional skincare industry contemplates how to reopen and perform skincare treatments safely. The program was developed in conjunction with an epidemiologist, skincare professionals, and doctors in accordance with Dermalogica’s professional-grade standards, and with the safety of staff and consumers as top priority. The new measures include:

• Dermalogica Principles for Enhanced Service Safety, a set of directives such as maintaining physical distancing by staggering appointments and limiting entrance; wearing masks in common areas and masks and face shields during treatments; hand sanitization, handwashing, and sterilization; as well as requirements for laundering and retail testers.
• Detailed safety protocols that address specific touchpoints such as pre-appointment screening; client arrival and departure; retail and common-area floor services; treatment room sanitation; protective wear, and more.
• Clean Touch Certification, awarded to skin therapists who complete free online training on the key principles and enhanced protocols. Upon completion, skin therapists will earn a certificate recognizing them as Clean Touch Certified, which they can display in their salon, treatment room, or website.

“As science progresses, we will surely need to loosen or tighten the safety precautions,” states Lis. “What counts is that we have defined the most appropriate steps now so that the industry can embark on the changes necessary to make facial skincare services a reality. With big business focused on digital or sitting it out, skin therapists are not willing to give up on the important industry of human touch and connection.”

Dermalogica globally trains more than 100,000 licensed skincare professionals each year, has approximately 40 flagship and concept stores internationally, and over 20,000 independent salons and spas worldwide, so the impact of this initiative is profound.