In Conversation with Darl'

What inspired you and Emma to start Darl’, and how did your creative backgrounds shape the brand’s direction?

Emma and I didn’t come from science labs or corporate boardrooms; we came from creative industries, which meant we approached skincare from a consumer-first perspective. We both struggled with sensitive skin, and the more we learned, the more frustrated we became with mainstream products that seemed to do more harm than good. That frustration became the spark for Darl’. We wanted to create a brand with zero compromises — something thoughtful, honest, and radically supportive of skin health.

Darl’ puts the skin’s microbiome at the centre of its philosophy. Why do you think this has been so overlooked in mainstream skincare?

In short, the industry has prioritised shelf life over skin health. Water-based products dominate the market, but when your formula is 60–90% water, you must add preservatives just to keep it stable. Those preservatives kill the microbiome — your skin’s most powerful defence system. The irony is that these products, which are supposed to help, are actually harming the skin barrier. The microbiome has been left out of the conversation for too long, and we’re here to change that.

With such an increase in sensitive skin issues globally, what do you see as the biggest misconceptions about how we treat our skin?

People are taught to strip, scrub, and sanitise their skin in pursuit of “clarity” or “glow,” but that’s the opposite of what sensitive skin needs. Over 50% more people report sensitivity than just a decade ago. That’s a huge increase. The biggest misconception is that more active ingredients equal better results. In reality, less is more. Our skin needs support, not stress. That’s why every Darl’ product is designed to be as gentle and effective as possible, without fillers or irritants.

What can you share about your plans for retail expansion and the upcoming crowdfunding campaign?

We are excited to take Darl’ into physical retail spaces so customers can truly experience the products firsthand. We are in advanced talks with one of Australia’s biggest beauty retailers and are also building relationships with curated stockists across Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand. To help fund this next stage, we’re raising $350,000 via the Birchal crowdfunding platform. The funds will go toward manufacturing two new products and building out our digital content and marketing so we can reach even more skin-conscious customers.

Looking ahead, how do you see Darl’ helping to shift the skincare conversation, for both the industry and everyday users?

We believe that skincare should be about support, not stripping, not perfecting, not masking. Just real support for real skin. Darl’ is proof that you don’t have to compromise performance to prioritise health. We’re already seeing our return rate — 47%, which is double the industry average — as a sign that people are ready for something different. We want to keep driving that shift by educating customers and holding the industry to higher standards.

LEARN MORE https://www.darlskincare.com