Beauty Does Good: Dermtropics Is Elevating the Best of Local, Sustainable Practices
A blueprint for brands going global, Dermtropics is out to prove that sustainability can go hand in hand with good quality.
In the beauty industry, where the bottom line matters, labels such as “sustainable,” “local,” and “organic” can give products and brands a boost. It’s easy to lay claim to words and be lauded for it. But to actually back up the talk? That’s another story.
Dermtropics launched in 2023, offering certified hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and fragrance-free products that are clinically tested to boost moisture and be safe for sensitive skin. These come from USDA-certified organic coconuts harvested from the rich, volcanic soil of South Cotabato and Davao, purchased at certified fair-trade prices, and then wet-milled without any heat, pressing or chemicals, keeping the extracted virgin coconut oil in its purest state. Their bottles are made of 40 percent upcycled wheat, which degrade outdoors in 17 to 22 months.
It’s a long list of credentials. But Dermtropics has done the legwork, obtaining the certificates needed to legitimately use the words “organic” and “fair trade,” and paying for the third-party testing required to put “clinically tested” on their packaging to ensure that they are true to their claims. In a world where labels can both enlighten and deceive, this is significant.
It’s not the easiest path. But for Margaux Arambulo-Lucena, who co-founded the brand with her husband Miko, there was never any other alternative.
Margaux Arambulo-Lucena, co-founder of Dermtropics. Photo: Kieran Punay.
“We wanted to create a brand that we can be proud of, making our products mindfully and without harsh ingredients, and helping address real pain points,” she says. “We also want to prove that sustainability can go hand in hand with good quality.”
Arambulo-Lucena hails from a family of doctors, and suffers from psoriasis. Her dermatologist mother was always particular about products: no harsh ingredients and fragrances. Her husband, on the other hand, suffers from skin asthma. Their skin issues, combined with the family background in dermatology and prior experience in farming in Mindanao, led to a brand championing virgin coconut oil (VCO). “We’ve been using [VCO] since we were small,” Arambulo-Lucero shares. “My mom has been prescribing it to her patients for 30 years. Clinical studies prove it can help those with eczema and allergies. It has lots of antioxidants, fatty acids and anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.”
It’s been tedious, for sure. But Arambulo-Lucena is gunning for more. “More than just growing a brand, I hope Dermtropics can make a meaningful impact—on skin health, local communities, and the planet.”
Perhaps that can go on the label.
