# Dermalogica: Jane Wurwand

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2016-10-24
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand

## Summary

Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica, explains how she identified a gap in the US skincare market after moving from South Africa to Los Angeles in 1983. She launched the International Dermal Institute to train aestheticians, then created a professional-only skincare line with partner Raymond Rogers, overcoming a critical last-minute demand for $14,000 from their chemist. The company grew to $250 million in wholesale turnover before being acquired by Unilever, as Wurwand and her husband decided not to pass the business to their children.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=0) Introduction: Jane Wurwand and Dermalogica
- [1:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=61) Early Life and Move to Los Angeles
- [7:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=451) Identifying the Market Gap and Starting the Institute
- [18:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=1093) Developing the Product Line and Packaging
- [25:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=1554) The Chemist Crisis and Launch
- [30:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2016-10-24-dermalogica-jane-wurwand#t=1844) Growth, Sales Strategy, and Acquisition

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Dermalogica (product)
- International Dermal Institute (company)
- Unilever (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Brahmin PR (company)

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## Citing this page

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