Raised by her dermatologist mother, Dr. Julieta Arambulo, Margaux Arambulo-Lucena grew up understanding the value of good skincare. Among the best lessons her mom taught her was to steer clear of products containing harsh chemicals that can harm the skin over time. In fact, Margaux grew up using the “unscented soap”, her mother’s own concoction after being dissatisfied with the soaps available commercially. Not only did it cleanse gently and effectively, but it also made Margaux and her siblings’ skin look and feel healthier over time. She also witnessed how her mother’s patients who tried the “unscented soap” would rave about its wonders for various skin concerns, like dryness, acne, and hypersensitivity.
Later on, her mother’s “unscented soap” became the prototype for her and her husband’s, green beauty skin and hair care brand, Dermtropics.
Margaux’ husband, Miko Lucena, Dermtropics CEO and Head of Business Development, introduced her the wet-milled virgin coconut oil. It was through his knowledge in farming and sustainable business development that they were able to further develop the unscented soap with this ingredient. Ever since, the wet-milled virgin coconut oil became the brand’s very DNA. Together with Dermtopics’ new ambassador, Rissa Mananquil Trillo, the brand is making green beauty more accessible to anyone who is searching for the most reliable body and hair care products perfectly suited for their lifestyle.
“I learned so much from my mom, especially when I was working at her clinic. At that time, I learned how different ingredients benefit the skin. I also met people with different skin conditions and I also battled with my own skin concerns. These experiences helped me understand what both doctors and patients are looking for in skincare,” quipped Margaux Arambulo-Lucena, Dermtropics President and Head of Product Development.
“Miko and I also visited trade shows abroad, this also helped us see what’s out there globally. Our vision for Dermtropics became clear: to create a skin and hair care brand that’s truly effective and recognized globally.”
A world-class green beauty brand that’s proudly Filipino
Dermtropics is a natural body and hair care brand powered by raw and organic Philippine coconuts and other plant-based ingredients. The green beauty brand also boasts being fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tried-and-tested.
Its key ingredient, Organic Wet-milled Virgin Coconut Oil, is considered as the purest and most potent type of VCO.
While others extract VCO using heat, Dermtropics extracts via wet-milling, an environment-friendly method that gets lesser yields but produces high-potent VCO. This is because, without heat, the oil’s anti-oxidants and aroma gets preserved and is kept free from chemicals.
Through their green beauty products, Dermtropics aims to do two things. First, it aims to create exceptional products that help people “come out of their shells” while showcasing Filipino ingenuity and the country’s rich natural resources
Second, it aims to provide world-class clean sustainable beauty products that empower women, support local communities, and promote natural beauty.
Although Dermtropics is a relatively young brand, it has already garnered a fast-growing community (the “COCOmmunity”) that can attest to its effectiveness in solving a host of skin concerns—be it eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, dryness, dullness, and more. The COCOmmunity, which includes its patrons, the farmers who help source Dermtropics’ ingredients, the Derma community who advocate skin health, and the women who hand-make its products, recently welcomed a new member to its fold: its new ambassador Rissa Mananquil Trillo.
Introducing the new green beauty ambassador of Dermtropics: Rissa Mananquil Trillo
An entrepreneur, women’s advocate, and a known pioneer for homegrown beauty businesses, Rissa is the perfect representation of Dermtropics. Add to this repertoire Rissa’s strong advocacy for the environment and the partnership truly is a match made in heaven.
When asked what made her agree to the partnership, Rissa shared, “In every endeavour I get into, it’s very important for me to partner with like-minded and like-hearted individuals—companies with standards and values I believe in. The more I got to know Margaux and Miko, the more I saw how community and sustainability are important to them. They understand that a business has the power to do good. I love that their products are cultivated by Mindanao farmers, handcrafted by women, and tested by dermatologists.”
“What excited me the most about Dermtropics is their farm-to-skin process for ingredient sourcing while embracing conscious beauty standards. For me, Dermtropics is a green beauty brand that is perfect for the new generation of mindful consumers,” she added.
A beauty brand that’s clean, sustainable, and raw
Responsible and eco-friendly, Dermtropics provides customers with more thoughtful options as patrons seek to care for their wellbeing and for those around them.
As a green beauty brand, Dermtropics uses only natural ingredients that are safe, non-toxic, and have the lowest possible environmental impact on its products. It also aims to avoid harmful chemicals and additives.
As a sustainable brand, it makes sure to produce in environmentally-responsible ways—from sourcing down to packaging.
In fact, the brand has partnered with Philippine Parks and Biodiversity to help fund its projects for rehabilitating the environment. Proceeds from selected Dermtropics gift bundles and products go to the organization’s “Adopt A Tree” program or to its new recycling program launching this year.
Dermtropics also supports local livelihood by creating job opportunities for women. All its products are actually handmade by women in various communities.
As a “raw beauty brand”, Dermtropics aims to get people out of their shells and embrace their raw beauty with the help of pure and raw 100% organic, wet-milled virgin coconut oil.
All in all, the green beauty brand allows customers to give back to mother nature as they, simultaneously, reap the benefits of mindful living. The result is a harmonious give-and-take between beauty and nature–a formidable balance that allows patrons to enjoy highly-effective body and hair care formulas to treat their personal needs.
An effective and comprehensive range that caters to different concerns
Dermtropics’ derma-tried-and-tested range offers products for skin, scalp, and hair.
Formulated with low pH levels from 4.9 to 5.2, you have the Raw Coconut + Colloidal Oatmeal Gentle Hand and Body Wash, the Raw Coconut + Aloe Vera Low Foaming Shampoo, and the Raw Coconut + Argan Oil Intensive Repair Conditioner.
They also concocted a lightweight moisturizer perfect for Philippine weather: the Raw Coconut Hand and Body Lotion.
And, of course, you have the best-selling Raw Coconut Gentle Cleansing Bar—the updated version of the “Unscented Soap”.
The range’s key ingredients are wet-milled VCO, Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, and Argan Oil. Wet-milled VCO contains antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal Oatmeal helps balance the pH of the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture. Aloe Vera is known for soothing and repairing dry and irritated skin. Argan Oil is rich in antioxidants that nourish your skin and hydrate hair strands.
Clinical studies revealed that Dermtropics’ soap and body wash can help boost skin’s moisture after five days of regular use, while the lotion can help boost moisture after three days of regular use. The shampoo and conditioner are also great for those looking for hypoallergenic products.
“What started as a personal interest growing up, as I watched my mom treat her patients, has now become a mission: that through Dermtropics, more and more people will enjoy real and transformative results for their skin yet without harming the environment. We believe achieving beautiful skin should never compromise our planet’s well-being. And with our sustainable practices and thoughtfully formulated products, we hope to inspire more people to embrace green beauty,” concluded Margaux.
Discover the most reliable skin and hair care products suited for your needs. Learn more about Dermtropics by visiting their website.
Shop Dermtropics products in stores at Watsons and Landmark or online: Website, Lazada, Shopee, Tiktok and Edamama.
This is a press release distributed by Visions and Expressions