Latest news with #Deconstruct
Entrepreneur
14 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Decode Your Skincare
Bengaluru-based brand's dermatologist-approved, multifunctional products are crafted to deliver results without irritating the skin—making them ideal for both first-time and seasoned users. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Indian skincare space was saturated with natural and Ayurvedic products, often lacking scientific backing and transparency. Scientific skincare was seen as intimidating—reserved for advanced users, when Malini Adapureddy founded Deconstruct in 2020. "There was a gap in the market for evidence-based skincare that was gentle, effective, and beginner-friendly," said Malini, Founder and CEO of Deconstruct. The Deconstruct team began their journey with in-depth research, including interviews with over 500 women, which highlighted the pressing need for climate-appropriate, science-backed skincare in India. Months of R&D resulted in thoughtful formulations, like matte gel sunscreens suited to India's hot and humid weather. "Our approach was rooted in ingredient transparency and formulation performance, and we wanted to simplify skincare without compromising results," she explained. What truly sets Deconstruct apart is its dedication to combining efficacy with gentleness. The brand's dermatologist-approved, multifunctional products are crafted to deliver results without irritating the skin—making them ideal for both first-time and seasoned users. "We've focused on demystifying ingredient lists, making scientific skincare approachable for everyone," Malini added. Adopting a direct-to-consumer model, the Bengaluru-based brand sells through its website and major online marketplaces, making its offerings accessible across the country. Their bold yet calculated entry into the quick commerce segment in late 2024 has already paid dividends, contributing 10–15% to revenue. "Quick commerce has become a major growth driver, and we plan to launch exclusive SKUs and campaigns for this channel in FY26," she shared. With a 10X revenue jump and annualised net revenue touching INR 200 crore in FY25, Deconstruct recently closed an INR 65 crore funding round led by L'Oréal's BOLD VC, V3 Ventures, and DSG Consumer Partners. The funds will drive innovation in core categories like sunscreens and serums and support expansion into offline retail—currently being piloted in Bengaluru—and international markets like the UAE and Southeast Asia. "Our mission remains to offer science-backed, effective skincare that's accessible, transparent, and easy to use," Malini said. As Deconstruct scales, it continues to uphold its founding principles—proving that skincare doesn't need to be complicated to be effective. Facts:
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
World Sunscreen Day: Everything you need to know about how sunblock works,from ideal SPF range to UV protection
World Sunscreen Day 2025: May 27 is observed as World Sunscreen Day, also known as National Sunscreen Day. It serves as a very important reminder of how valuable sunscreen is for your skin health. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risks of premature ageing, sun damage, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Most importantly, sunscreen is not just a seasonal summer product; it is a non-negotiable year-round essential, regardless of weather or season. ALSO READ: Do you assume sunscreen is unnecessary for dark skin tones? Know the danger that hits melanin-rich complexions harder On this day, let's take a closer look at sunscreen essentials. HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to help you understand how to protect your skin effectively, from knowing how sunscreen works, SPF requirements, to sunscreen for children. First, let's break down how sunscreen works. Dr Shifa Yadav, Consultant, Dermatology and Cosmetology at Artemis Hospitals, unpacked the science behind sunscreen and what SPF truly means for your skin. She said, 'Sunscreens can be regarded as an invisible shield your skin uses to defend itself from harmful sun rays. Their usage is not restricted to only tanning prevention; rather, their key purpose is to avoid any form of damage the skin could receive. Sunscreen is a shield for your skin, forming a layer that blocks or reflects the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun, especially the UVB rays, so well researched to cause sunburns and greatly enhance the risk of skin cancer." Moreover, Dr Shifa Yadav shared a detailed guide on how much SPF is enough: Now that we are done with SPF, you may have probably come across the term broad spectrum as well. One common misconception is that people often focus mostly on the SPF number when choosing a sunscreen. But true protection lies in a combination of both SPF and broad-spectrum coverage. Malini Adapureddy, CEO & Founder of skincare brand, Deconstruct, explained, "The most effective sunscreen is one that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays cause visible burns, it is the deeper-penetrating UVA rays that silently accelerate ageing and pigmentation. In a country like India, where sun exposure is high year-round, this dual protection is non-negotiable. Many people focus on SPF numbers alone, but the real measure of protection lies in how comprehensively a sunscreen defends the skin. Broad spectrum isn't a luxury, it is the minimum standard for maintaining long-term skin health." With so much conversation around sunscreen being an absolute unskippable daily essential, what about children? More than adults, children are vulnerable to sun damage because of their sensitive skin. Which sunscreen is most suitable for children? Should your children even apply sunscreen? Dr Mikki Singh, Founder and Head Dermatologist at Bodycraft Clinics and Salon, firmly emphasised the importance of sunscreen for children. She said, 'Yes, children should absolutely use sunscreen. Early sun protection helps prevent sunburn, long-term skin damage, and lowers the risk of skin cancer later in life.' Dr Singh shared a guide for parents, helping them to guide sunscreen use for children: Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Fashion Network
06-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Deconstruct reports tenfold revenue growth in FY25
Science-backed skincare label Deconstruct has reported a tenfold increase in revenue for the 2025 financial year, marking its most significant growth to date. The brand also achieved earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) profitability (adjusted for one-time costs), and attributed this to focused marketing and operational efficiency. Deconstruct's FY25 annualised net revenue touched Rs 200 crore in the 2025 fiscal year, with the brand now aiming to scale this figure to Rs 500 crore by the 2026 financial year, Deconstruct announced in a press release. The business announced that it continues to maintain strong positions across major multi-brand marketplaces and is targeting a top-three ranking for its hero SKUs on quick commerce platforms. Deconstruct's performance was led by high-performing SKUs tailored to beginner users and specific skin concerns. Popular products included non-greasy sunscreens and Vitamin C formulations. According to the brand, its deep understanding of market gaps and sharp target group identification contributed to reduced customer acquisition costs and improved marketing return on investment. 'Achieving EBITDA profitability is a significant milestone, but it's only the beginning of our journey,' said Deconstruct's founder and CEO Malini Adapureddy in a press release. "At Deconstruct, we're not just building a skincare brand, we're building a movement rooted in transparency, science, and empathy. Our vision is to make high-efficacy, gentle skincare accessible across the globe, and to do it responsibly, without compromising on what we stand for. This year's growth validates the trust our community has placed in us, and we're more committed than ever to redefining skincare with integrity and impact." In February, Deconstruct raised Rs 65 crore in funding from L'Oréal's venture capital arm Bold, V3 Ventures, and DSG Consumer Partners. Existing investors Kalaari Capital and Beenext also participated in the round. To fuel future growth, the brand is now focusing on product innovation, global expansion, and tech-enabled customer experience.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
You have a problem with your credit card issuer. What can you do?
Robb Sommerfeld used a popular business credit card to help manage finances at National Center for Craftmanship (NCC), a nonprofit where he serves as an executive director — until the bank suddenly closed the account. The sudden account closure put Sommerfeld and his organization in a tough spot, as the credit card played a key role in the regular payment of vendors. Sommerfeld spent nine hours in total talking to multiple people at the bank, over the phone and in person. The account was closed due to what he believed was no error of his own. When he was able to get the account reopened, he discovered a new (and lower) credit limit. He was unable to get the issuer to restore the credit limit he'd had before the account was closed, which he said left him scrambling for funds on expenses he previously used the card to cover. As Sommerfeld and many others know, it can be extremely frustrating to feel stuck in a customer service loop trying to get your credit card company to satisfactorily address a problem or concern. I wanted to learn what to do in such situations and spoke with Chi Chi Wu, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. Here's what you can do if you find yourself stuck at an impasse with your credit card issuer. Sommerfeld was approved for a business credit card in January 2023 for his nonprofit. The organization, located in Greeley, Colorado, provides training through programs like Deconstruct, which teaches high-school students construction by taking down buildings. The nonprofit depended on the credit card to pay the vendors removing the materials. The organization then would get paid by the client or receive a grant from the state to pay off the card. Sommerfeld worked hard to maintain a good relationship with the issuer and increase the credit limit, which started at under $5,000 and grew to $18,000 in about five months. Then, in September 2023, the bank suddenly closed the account. After multiple conversations with the issuer's account services, Sommerfeld found that the nonprofit's name on the account had been changed to the NCC's website address. No one could explain how this change had occurred. 'Over the whole course of this ordeal, I was keeping track of… how many people I had to talk to, and that came up to 16 different people,' Sommerfeld says. The bank declined to correct the name on the account and suggested Sommerfeld reapply for the card. He did. Unfortunately, the credit limit from the old account hadn't been transferred over — another thing the issuer declined to do. There unfortunately might be little that a credit card holder can do in situations like Sommerfeld's, according to Wu. It's at the bank's discretion whether it continues to provide you with an open line of credit. Unless the account is shut down for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, you don't really have the 'right' to keep it open. Under federal law, you also have legal protections against: Unauthorized use, such as when somebody steals your credit card or uses your credit card number without your permission; Billing errors, such as when you never receive the product or service you purchase or get charged the wrong amount; Charges for low-quality or faulty items (under certain conditions). If your issue doesn't fit any of these scenarios, you may have limited options for support. The CFPB is a government agency that oversees the consumer finance industry with the goal of protecting everyday Americans from unfair, deceptive and abusive practices. The CFPB has provided helpful recourse for cardholders who experience a range of issues with their cards and accounts. In 2023 alone, the bureau received 70,000 credit card complaints — a 38-percent jump from 2022. Unfortunately, the CFPB's ability to continue helping consumers is recently under question, as the Trump administration has sought to diminish it along with many other government agencies. The agency's portal for submitting complaints is still operational, but it's not clear whether complaints are being processed. After all, the contract with the vendors who managed the consumer response function was canceled, according to Wu. 'It's nuts,' Wu says. 'I can't tell you exactly what's going to happen or how to proceed, because the Trump administration has gutted the most important consumer protection agency for credit cards.' If you're trying to resolve the problem with your issuer, and it's refusing to help you, there are a few solutions you can consider. If you dispute something on your credit card bill, and your credit card issuer finds there's no error after an investigation, you can appeal the decision. You can do so within the period the issuer gives you for payment or 10 days of getting the explanation, whichever is later according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). To appeal, write to the issuer explaining that you won't pay because you want to continue disputing the billing error. Note, however, that at this point, the issuer can send your account to collections and report it as delinquent, with a note that you're disputing the error. When exercising your legal rights with the issuer doesn't go anywhere, you can report it to the FTC. The agency itself doesn't resolve consumers' complaints. It shares your report with more than 2,800 law enforcers who can use it to bring cases against fraud and poor business practices. Certain states have their own agencies that protect consumers. This might be another avenue for you to explore. For example, Californians can reach out to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). The agency investigates claims of abuse against financial service providers, such as banks, credit unions, nonbank lenders and others. The DFPI also has a portal that allows California residents to submit a complaint. Another example is the Department of Financial Services in New York, which regulates banks and financial institutions, among other types of organizations. The agency's website provides an online Consumer Complaint Form. Alternatively, you can reach out to your state's attorney general. Check their website to see how to go about filing a complaint in this case. If you're in a dire situation and believe your card issuer has broken the law, you can see if an attorney will take your case. Consumer protection attorneys provide defense for clients experiencing losses from companies' deceptive or unlawful practices. They work on a contingency basis, meaning they get paid only if they win or settle. In many cases, if the defendant loses, they're responsible for the plaintiff's legal fees. When Sommerfeld realized his bank wouldn't restore his original credit limit, he contacted a different issuer. The new issuer gave him a credit limit of $10,000, which within weeks increased to $18,000. It should go without saying that you don't have to stay with a financial provider that has wronged you. Sometimes, the easiest solution is to take your business elsewhere. When your credit card issuer lets you down and provides no help, it can be incredibly stressful. And with the matter of the CFPB's existence in flux, where do you go for help? It's a vulnerable position to be in, but you still have options you can explore. And don't forget: your relationship with your financial institutions is a two-way street. There are plenty of excellent credit cards to choose from. 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