A product sold every seven seconds: How Skin Control is helping users put their best face forward

Skin Control co-founder Michael Porter estimates his skincare brand has helped to clear up more than 132 million pimples in the last two years.

Sydney-based Skin Control has sold more than 1.5 million of its acne care products in the first quarter of 2024 and has sold 7.5 million products since it was launched in 2018.

But Porter, who co-founded the business with his father Graham Porter, says the brand is only at the beginning of its overseas expansion journey.

Best known for its popular Pimple Patch AM+PM, the brand produces 25 products across multiple skincare categories, from acne and blemish care, to anti-wrinkle solutions and everyday-breakout essentials.

Skin Control has 17 stockists across Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK and Europe, which sell its products in more than 3000 stores, including Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, Terry White, Big W, IGA, WH Smith and Urban Outfitters.

The brand employs 35 people and has customers in Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Israel and Japan purchasing Skin Control products directly.

Along with more than 30,000 followers on social media, including 23,000 Instagram followers, Skin Control’s content has been seen by more than 40 million people across Meta and TikTok.

A passion for skincare

Michael Porter told SmartCompany his passion for skin care began at a young age. 

“I always loved trying new products and figuring out new ways to help people’s skin concerns,” he says. 

“In particular, I was quite interested in the innovation, technology, and product development coming out of Korea, which wasn’t always easily available in Australian retailers.

Six years ago, Porter attended a conference in New York about dermal applications and drug delivery systems using patch technology. 

“After coming home to Sydney, I completely immersed myself in learning more about how this worked and what it would take to create a new range of affordable skin care products for the Australian market,” he explains. 

“This is how Skin Control was born.”

The brand’s growth over the past four years has been rapid. This year alone, sales have continued to grow by 80% year-over-year in units sold from January to April, confirms Porter. 

“We’re now selling a Skin Control product every seven seconds.”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, up to 50 million Americans have experienced acne and it is the most common skin disease for 85% of Australians aged 15 to 24 years old, according to the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

The figure is slightly higher in the UK, with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence stating in 2021 that the skin condition affects 95% of people in England at some point in their lives.

For Porter, his mission was to create a brand that was affordable for everyone with products that actually work.

“When I first started Skin Control there was no one else in Australia selling a range of affordable pimple patches. This is where we first saw a gap in the market and we worked hard to get it launched as soon as possible,” he says. 

“I wanted to offer a solution for the youth of Australia, however, over the last few years we’ve seen a significant uptake by adults who experience acne and breakouts, looking for a more natural way to clear their skin. 

“This has led us to move our visual communication to be more broad-reaching and inclusive for all demographics.”

When asked about what the future holds for the brand, Porter says the goal is to expand the product portfolio with continuous innovation in skincare technology.

“Whilst staying true to our mission of empowering everyone to put their best face forward,” he adds. 

“We are currently making significant investment into R&D and have a vast number of new product launches in the pipeline. 

“We can’t wait to share more industry-first innovations to help support people on their skincare journey.”

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