Launch Date: May 2022
Geography: Bedford, NY, US
Founders:
Board Member: Ken Suslow, Investor, Sandbridge Capital
Notable Investor: Sandbridge Capital
2025 Full Year Projected Revenue: $2M - $5M, according to industry estimates
Primary Category: Skincare
Other Category: Tools/Devices
Funding: Private Equity
Primary Distribution Channel: Prestige
Other Distribution Channels:
Key Retail Partners:
2025 Projected Offline Distribution Points: 1,000
Doré exemplifies modern, French pharmacy beauty with a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and simplicity. Founded by Garance Doré and Emily Yeston in 2022, Doré is designed for less time in the mirror and more time in the moment. We like to think of ourselves as the white t-shirt of skincare.
Insights: Emily Yeston, Co-Founder + CEO
Why now and why you?
Now is the perfect moment for Doré because the beauty industry—and the consumer—are demanding a new standard: one rooted in simplicity, transparency, and authenticity. After a decade of overwhelming beauty routines and endless product launches, people are seeking something different: fewer steps, cleaner ingredients, and brands that prioritize their well-being over trends. Doré is that brand.
We are redefining what modern French pharmacy skincare means for a global audience: gentle, high-performance essentials that support—not complicate—the skin. In an industry often driven by excess, Doré stands out by offering restraint, effectiveness, and a philosophy of mindful beauty.
Why us? Because Doré isn’t just another clean brand. It’s built on the belief that skincare should be intuitive, not intimidating. Our formulations combine the best of French dermatological heritage with a modern, minimal approach. We’re uniquely positioned at the intersection of two powerful forces—scientific credibility and emotional connection—and our rapidly growing community is proof that this message resonates deeply today.
What fuels your competitive advantage?
Doré’s competitive advantage is fueled by our philosophy of radical simplicity—and our ability to execute it without compromise. In a market saturated with noise, complicated routines, and overpromised results, we offer something refreshingly rare: minimal, high-performance skincare grounded in French pharmacy heritage and modern sensibility.
Our advantage comes from three core strengths:
Product: Every Doré formula is purposeful, dermatologist-tested, and designed to meet the highest standards for sensitive skin. We focus on fewer ingredients, fewer steps, and better results—building deep trust with consumers who are exhausted by excess.
Philosophy: We champion the belief that beauty should be intuitive, not overwhelming. This philosophy of simplicity is not just marketing; it’s embedded in every touchpoint, from product development to education to customer experience.
Cultural Relevance: Doré is perfectly aligned with today’s growing movement toward intentional living, mindful consumption, and authenticity. We’re not chasing trends; we’re building a timeless brand that meets a real emotional and practical need.
By staying relentlessly true to these pillars, Doré isn’t just another skincare brand; we’re a trusted partner in helping people care for themselves in a way that feels good, sustainable, and real.
What are you most proud of accomplishing to date?
What we’re most proud of accomplishing to date is our national partnership with Ulta Beauty, which launched Doré in over 600 doors in July 2024. Being recognized and supported by one of the largest and most influential beauty retailers in the US validated not only the strength of our products, but also the growing demand for a simpler, more mindful approach to skincare. This milestone marked a major step in making French pharmacy skincare more accessible to a broader audience—and in proving that modern consumers are ready for less, but better.
What is the one thing you wish someone had told you?
I wish someone had told me that while the temptation to do everything will be strong, true success comes from ruthless focus. It’s far more powerful to do a few things exceptionally well than to spread yourself too thin trying to do it all. Staying disciplined about where to invest your time, energy, and resources is what ultimately builds lasting impact—and a brand people trust.
What would you tell your past self before starting this journey?
I would tell my past self to trust that building something meaningful takes time—and that patience is as important as passion. Every stage, even the slow or challenging ones, is shaping the foundation for what’s to come. Stay focused, stay true to your values, and don’t rush the process. The brands that endure are the ones built with intention, not urgency.
What does success look like in the next 3-5 years?
Success for Doré in the next 3-5 years means becoming the definitive leader in modern French pharmacy skincare—a brand known and trusted for making beauty simpler, healthier, and more sustainable. It means expanding our reach while staying true to our philosophy: growing our retail and DTC presence thoughtfully, deepening loyalty with our community, and continuing to innovate with products that are both minimal and high-performance. True success is not just scale; it’s building a brand that lasts because it genuinely improves people’s lives.
What's one industry trend that is overhyped, and what's being overlooked?
Overhyped: The trend of hyper-personalization in beauty—creating endless customized products and regimens—is overhyped. While it sounds appealing, it often overwhelms consumers, complicates routines, and leads to decision fatigue rather than better outcomes.
Overlooked: What’s being overlooked is the growing desire for universally effective, thoughtfully formulated essentials—products that work beautifully for many without requiring a 10-step, hyper-tailored routine. Simplicity, transparency, and trust are what today’s consumer is truly seeking, and brands that deliver that with integrity are the ones that will endure.
How do you think the industry needs to evolve?
The beauty industry needs to evolve by prioritizing people’s health and well-being. What’s needed now is a shift toward care—creating products that support the skin, not punish it; messaging that uplifts rather than pressures; and brands that focus on helping people feel good in their own skin.
If you could wave a magic wand, what one wish would you make for your business?
I would wish for Doré to endure for decades—to become a lasting part of people’s lives and routines, trusted across generations. Not just as a skincare brand, but as a symbol of a gentler, more thoughtful approach to beauty—one that prioritizes well-being and simplicity. Longevity, to me, is the ultimate sign that we’ve built something truly meaningful.
