Latest news with #Fixderma
India Today
16-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
What is white tomato extract and why it's trending in skincare?
Each season, new ingredients surface in the ever-evolving skincare industry, and one that is currently gaining significant attention is white tomato extract. Despite its unusual name, this ingredient offers numerous benefits for the skin and is becoming a popular choice in many skincare tomatoes are a unique variety grown primarily in Asia and Europe. Unlike regular red tomatoes, they lack the red pigment known as lycopene. However, they contain other nutrients that are believed to be highly beneficial for the skin, including phytoene and phytofluene, both of which are natural and nutrients in white tomatoes are gently extracted through a cold-pressing method to preserve their natural goodness. These colourless carotenoids penetrate deeply into the skin, helping to protect it from everyday damage caused by pollution, sunlight, and stress, which are common contributors to early signs of ageing. What makes white tomato extract truly special is its natural ability to brighten the skin and provide a healthy, glowing appearance, making it an excellent addition to modern skincare routines. Here's everything you need to know from Shaily Mehrotra, CEO and Co-Founder of Fixderma. WHY IS WHITE TOMATO EXTRACT A SKINCARE HERO?As more people look for skincare that's gentle, natural, and effective, White Tomato Extract has become a standout ingredient. Here's why it's gaining so much popularity:1. Brightens and evens out skin toneWhite Tomato Extract helps slow down the process that causes the skin to make too much melanin, the pigment that can cause dark spots and uneven skin tone. This makes your skin look clearer and more even. It works gently, so it's safe even for people with sensitive skin.2. Powerful antioxidant protectionThere are several factors that contribute to skin damage, including pollution, sunlight, screens, and stress. These can cause harmful molecules called free radicals, which can speed up ageing. White Tomato Extract combats these free radicals and protects the skin from damage. As a result, the skin looks fresher, smoother, and shows fewer fine lines.3. Natural sun protection boosterWhile not a replacement for sunscreen, White Tomato Extract offers internal and topical photo-protection. Its colourless carotenoids help absorb UVA and UVB rays and reduce UV-induced skin damage, making it a perfect addition to daytime skincare routines.4. Safe, clean, and versatileWith no harsh acids or synthetic bleaching agents, this extract is non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and suitable for all skin types. Whether in serums, moisturisers, or oral supplements, it offers a holistic approach to skincare.5. Supports collagen synthesisWith its ability to fight oxidative stress and inflammation, White Tomato Extract promotes collagen preservation and regeneration, which is essential for maintaining firm, youthful-looking Tomato Extract is quickly becoming a new favourite in skincare, thanks to its natural, gentle, and effective properties. As people pay more attention to what goes into their products, this plant-based ingredient is getting noticed. It helps brighten the skin and protects it from daily damage, making it a great addition for anyone looking to achieve a healthy, glowing look.- Ends
Mint
11-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Fixderma's low-key, high-growth strategy defies D2C playbook
MUMBAI : Skincare company Fixderma is taking a markedly different approach from most direct-to-consumer brands—focusing on operational profitability, exports, and limited offline expansion. The Lotus Herbals-backed brand saw its sales grow 30% in 2024-25 and is targeting a 55% rise in 2025-26, said Shaily Mehrotra, its co-founder and chief executive. Instead of high marketing spends or rapid category expansion, the Gurugram-based firm is doubling down on dermatology-led products and controlled channel growth. 'We're not looking to be everywhere or do everything. There's still headroom in our core category," Mehrotra told Mint. Skincare company Fixderma is taking a markedly different approach from most direct-to-consumer brands—focusing on operational profitability, exports, and limited offline expansion. The Lotus Herbals-backed brand saw its sales grow 30% in 2024-25 and is targeting a 55% rise in 2025-26, said Shaily Mehrotra, its co-founder and chief executive. Instead of high marketing spends or rapid category expansion, the Gurugram-based firm is doubling down on dermatology-led products and controlled channel growth. 'We're not looking to be everywhere or do everything. There's still headroom in our core category," Mehrotra told Mint. Lotus Herbals Pvt. Ltd, which owns a 30-32% stake in the company for a ₹38 crore investment in 2021, remains a non-operational partner. 'There's no day-to-day involvement. We report numbers quarterly," she said. Roughly ₹16 crore of the funds were used to clear debt; the rest were deployed slowly, with no plans for further funding at this stage. Lean operations, no Retail buildout Fixderma India Pvt. Ltd operates two in-house manufacturing units (set up in 2012 and 2019), allowing better control over cost and production timelines. While most new-age brands outsource manufacturing, Mehrotra said the direct setup supports healthier margins and quality consistency. The brand has stayed away from large-scale retail. It operates a single store in Gurugram—positioned as an experience centre—and does not intend to scale that model. 'The economics don't add up for our ticket size," she said. Retail through pharmacy chains, however, is growing. Fixderma has expanded distribution with Apollo Pharmacy, Tata 1mg, and other medical retailers, particularly in the North East and West Bengal. Overall, retail accounts for about 5% of sales. Exports and derma drive sales Fixderma's business is split across D2C (40%), doctor-led derma sales (30%), exports (25%), and retail. Sales through the distributor channel, which includes exports and derma, touched an all-time high of $10 million in 2024. Vietnam remains its strongest international market, followed by Malaysia, Cambodia, and Nepal. 'Vietnam has become a high-performing market for us," Mehrotra said, adding that the company will participate in upcoming trade fairs in Jakarta, Moscow, and Bangkok to build further distributor relationships. Bangladesh sales have slowed due to a steep 120% import duty, while Indonesia remains a white space. No diversification for now Unlike many other D2C players, such as Mamaearth, mCaffeine, Wow Skin Science and The Moms Co., Fixderma is not entering adjacent categories such as makeup, supplements or baby care., Fixderma is not entering adjacent categories such as makeup, supplements or baby care. 'There is still room to grow in our current portfolio. Our focus remains on skin concern-based products," she said. The company is also working on a mass-market body lotion product, inspired by a formulation it supplies to the Australian government under a private label agreement. The product will be sold through pharmacies and target regular-use segments such as diabetics or recovering patients. The company spends selectively on digital marketing, with the highest investments going toward D2C. It has largely stayed away from celebrity endorsements, barring a small campaign with Vaani Kapoor, and instead focuses on influencer content related to skin issues, Mehrotra said. The company faced a Reddit thread in 2024 accusing it of not disclosing SPF test results. Mehrotra said the brand got its sunscreen tested in 2013 and retested in 2023 through international labs. 'SPF testing isn't widely available in India and costs are high, but that doesn't mean it's being ignored," she added. Fixderma has also dealt with counterfeit products on e-commerce platforms such as Meesho and Snapdeal. The company now monitors listings more actively and has found Amazon to be more responsive in enforcing IP rights. A former distributor had also posted allegations of unpaid dues online. Mehrotra attributed this to routine challenges of doing business across regions. 'We work with 450+ stockists and 18 CFAs. In one case, a distributor disappeared with over ₹2 crore in inventory. We recovered the goods, but incidents like this happen," she said. Staying conservative The company is not planning to raise more capital or list publicly in the near term. 'We've built at our own pace, kept costs tight, and stayed profitable. The idea is to grow responsibly," said Mehrotra. Fixderma had earlier been turned down by institutional investors for being 'too cautious". Mehrotra said several funds that passed on the brand later lost money in other high-burn D2C ventures. 'We weren't the right fit for that style of growth. And that's okay." Fixderma operates in India's fast-growing dermatology-led skincare market, which will be valued at over ₹12,000 crore in 2024. The market includes medicated and concern-based products for conditions like acne, eczema, pigmentation, and sun protection. According to IMARC Group, the segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% through 2033, driven by rising demand for clinic-recommended, functional skincare. Fixderma competes with The Derma Co. (Honasa Consumer Ltd), Minimalist, Bioderma, Cetaphil, and La Roche-Posay in the clinical skincare space, and Plum, Aqualogica, Re'equil, and Foxtale in the D2C and premium skincare category. However, unlike most D2C brands, Fixderma owns its manufacturing and does not operate in colour cosmetics or supplements, keeping its focus strictly on skin concern-based products.
Fashion Network
20-06-2025
- Health
- Fashion Network
Fixderma debuts new logo to highlight acne awareness
Dermatology-led skincare brand Fixderma has unveiled a refreshed logo for June as part of its Acne Awareness Month initiative. The new design aims to reflect the company's ongoing mission to destigmatise acne and promote skin health. The visual update coincides with a broader awareness campaign centred on the emotional and physical impact of acne, the brand announced in a press release. Fixderma has partnered with skincare influencers and content creators to amplify conversations around acne causes, treatments, and recovery, encouraging consumers to seek informed solutions. At the core of the campaign is the Salyzap range, a dermatologist-formulated line developed to address acne at different stages, from prevention and active breakouts to post-acne pigmentation. Products in the range feature active ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide, designed to combat excess oil, clogged pores, and inflammation while maintaining skin barrier integrity. 'Acne is not just skin-deep- it affects confidence and quality of life,' said Shaily Mehrotra, Fixderma's co-founder and CEO. 'Our logo change this June is a visual reminder of our commitment: we don't just sell skincare- #WeFixYourSkin.'
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The 30 Under 30 Asia Retail & Ecommerce Entrepreneurs Growing Local Brands
Forbes Asia Looking for an India-made product to pamper her curly hair led Anshita Mehrotra to create Fix My Curls, a niche haircare brand that she says pulled in an estimated $2.8 million revenue for the fiscal year ended March. Melhotra is one of the entrepreneurs on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: Retail & Ecommerce list who are drawing inspiration from first-hand experiences to create a business. The roots of the Gurgaon-based brand, which sells a range of shampoos, conditioners and gels, go back to early 2019, when Mehrotra took a semester off from media studies in Canada and returned home. When she ran out of her favorite frizz-control cream that wasn't available locally, her mother, founder of Indian skincare firm Fixderma, suggested she should concoct her own. Mehrotra spent the next few months working with Fixderma's team to create five products for the curly-haired. A year later, the business was hived off into a separate company, in which she owns a 68% stake. Her mother, who invested $200,000 in the venture, is the second-biggest shareholder. Forbes Asia Today Fix My Curls says it's delivered over 500,000 orders so far across ten countries, sold directly from its website as well as through Amazon, beauty retailer Nykaa and others. 'There's crazy potential in this business,' says Mehrotra. Investors have caught on. In April 2024, she secured a $100,000 grant for female founders from VC firm Peak XV and a month later raised $910,000 in a seed round led by Amazon Sambhav Venture Fund (ASVF) at a $6.8 million valuation, per data platform Traxcn. 'She had great customer insights in the space and was focused on building a large brand,' says Mayank Nandwani, a principal at ASVF. 'There is a long way to go, but I believe she's executing well and in the right direction.' 'There's crazy potential in this business' In Australia, Annabel Hay turned a wardrobe malfunction at a Sydney nightclub in 2016 into a multimillion-dollar business. Launched in 2022, Clutch Glue is a liquid alternative to fashion tape that Hay spent four years developing. The bootstrapped company uses a patented adhesive that is sweat-resistant but water soluble and does not seep into fabrics. In November 2024, the company received A$1.4 million ($900,000) in pre-seed funding led by Blackbird. In December, Hay quit her job at real estate firm JLL to run her company full time. Going Local Entrepreneurs on the list are also building niche brands and focusing on capturing their local markets. Sisters Raena and Rahee Ambani launched Mumbai-based activewear company Terractive in 2023, offering innovative sportswear that is both cooling and anti-odor. Last December, Terractive raised 80 million rupees (about $950,000) in a pre-series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and DeVC. The funds will be used develop new products and fabrics, according to the startup. Jaivardhan Agarwal, cofounder of Gardens of India. Jaivardhan Agarwal' s Gardens of India, a premium brand of teas and spices was founded in 2019. The company supplies to hotels including the Mayfair Hotels & Resorts chain and the Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri. Through its web portal, Gardens of India also sells a variety of teas, spices, tableware and gift sets direct to customers both in India and overseas. Ecommerce is getting a revamp with this year's entrepreneurs, who aim to improve the experience and efficiency of online shopping. Sydney-based childhood friends Alexis Aaron and Jodine Wolman cofounded Sortd in 2020 to make online shopping more efficient. The shopping assistant app allows users to track items from any online store, compare options, be notified when the items are on sale and see what others are buying . Sortd went through Antler Australia's accelerator program and raised A$1.26 million ($800,000) in pre-seed funding backed by Antler and private investors including ELMO Software's former chief commercial officer Darryl Garber. lexis Aaron and Jodine Wolman, cofounders or Sortd. In Japan, Hikaru Ito founded Stract in 2017. The company is the developer and operator of the Plug shopping assistant app. An extension for Apple's Safari browser, Plug scans the internet for cashback offers, coupons and the cheapest pricing point for products users want to buy. Tokyo-based Stract says Plug had been downloaded over 1.5 million times as of January 2024. The company has thus far raised 1.4 billion yen ($9.7 million) in funding from investors including Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, New Commerce Ventures and SMBC Venture Capital. –Additional reporting by Anuradha Raghunathan Read our complete Retail & Ecommerce list here – and be sure to check out our full Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 coverage here.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MarTech Day: Integrating AI in the MarTech Stack
HighlightsShawn Chandy, Chief Marketing Officer of Paragon Footwear, emphasized the use of Artificial Intelligence in creating diverse content for social media, significantly reducing the time and costs associated with traditional photoshoots. Preetam Jena, Chief Marketing Officer of Fixderma, explained how Artificial Intelligence is enabling personalized engagement with customers by building cohorts based on unique skin characteristics. Fixderma utilizes machine learning to adapt marketing campaigns in real-time, allowing for the swift launch and adjustment of campaigns without needing external agencies. Jena highlighted the importance of creating specific customer cohorts for targeted marketing, which leads to more personalized skincare solutions and cost-effective customer retention strategies. AI is transforming every facet of marketing today, from personalisation and customer cohorting to content creation. On MarTech Day , an esteemed panel of speakers, including Preetam Jena, CMO, Fixderma, and Shawn Chandy, CMO, Paragon Footwear, shared their thoughts on how marketers are leveraging AI in their operations. Chandy opened the session by discussing how Paragon Footwear is using AI for content creation. He said, 'We use AI to produce diverse content for social media and other digital platforms. Each month, we launch 20 to 30 new footwear designs. Previously, physical photoshoots for these designs were both time-consuming and costly. Now, AI enables us to create compelling content, showcasing our products in imaginative settings with creativity, in a cost-effective and efficient manner.' While Paragon Footwear is harnessing AI for content generation, Fixderma is using it to build meaningful cohorts based on different skin types, allowing marketers to target these more effectively. Elaborating on this approach, Jena said, 'AI is crucial for us, as it enables personalised, one-on-one engagement with customers. While everyone's skin is unique, shared characteristics allow us to create cohorts using AI. Our facial analysis software, for instance, uses a camera to capture detailed facial structures, identifying current skin concerns and predicting future needs. This allows us to build cohorts for different skin types and target them effectively in campaigns.' Another use case for AI at Fixderma lies in campaign management. It enables the brand to launch and adapt campaigns swiftly without relying on agencies for real-time adjustments. By leveraging machine learning, Fixderma can refine existing campaigns on the fly. Over time, AI has also become an integral part of the MarTech stacks of brands. Consider the case of Fixderma, which aimed to promote its Nigrifix cream, a product that already had a vocal user base and turn it into a revenue generator. Expanding on this example, Jena said, 'With our database of customer purchases over the past two to four years, we successfully mined data on customers who were using our products. This enabled us to create distinct cohorts based on user behaviour, such as Nigrifix consumers with acne-prone skin or male Nigrifix users. These cohorts were then integrated into automated campaigns on Facebook and Google, with bid management also automated for efficiency. This streamlined customer journeys and significantly reduced costs at every stage. Retaining existing customers — who are acquired at a fraction of the cost of new users — proved highly cost-effective, approaching near-zero additional expense.' Jena concluded the session with his thoughts on the future of MarTech and the growing role of AI within the skincare category. 'Every individual's skin is unique, yet shared traits create identifiable cohorts. Larger cohorts yield more generalised data, reducing precision. To counter this, we need to use AI to build numerous, highly specific cohorts. This enables deeper, intent-driven conversations and more personalised skincare solutions,' Jena concluded. Watch the video here:
