Derma Creative: Scaling Responsible Skincare

Derma Creative is a Sheffield-based skincare startup specialising in the development and creation of innovative and natural skincare products. 

As part of its growth strategy, Derma Creative launched its sister brand, Boneshaker, a natural pet skincare brand. Boneshaker products are designed to address common skin and coat issues in dogs, while prioritising animal wellbeing and sustainability. There are plans to expand its product range to support other animals in the future.

Founded in 2024 by founder Louise Hurst, the business combines in-house manufacturing expertise with a strong focus on product innovation and responsible production.

Project and Challenge

Derma Creative had successfully developed a segmented shampoo bar system for the Boneshaker product range. While the product concept had been extensively tested and validated, manufacturing remained a significant challenge. Louise explained:

‘Producing the bars by hand was time-consuming, and we wanted to explore ways of improving efficiency, consistency, and future production capacity.’

Production relied on a time-intensive manual process, restricting the company's ability to scale output. To support future growth and meet increasing demand, Derma Creative needed a manufacturing solution that would improve production efficiency, ensure product consistency, and increase capacity without compromising the unique design of the product.

With support from the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP), the business collaborated with academics from Sheffield Hallam University’s School of Engineering and Built Environment to develop a specialist moulding and pressing system tailored to the company’s requirements, unlocking faster production, greater consistency, and the ability to scale. Importantly, the recommendations took into account both the early-stage nature of the business and the practical considerations of implementing new machinery within available budgets.

Impact and Outcomes

The result of the project was a smarter manufacturing approach that brought fresh perspectives and innovation opportunities, helping Derma Creative identify solutions that may not otherwise have been considered internally and giving them a stronger position to grow into larger commercial markets.

As a result of the project, production has moved from a manual process capable of producing six bars in ten minutes to a solution capable of producing four bars in less than one minute. The improvements have the potential to significantly increase efficiency and production volumes, while improving consistency.

Reflecting on her SYIP experience, Louise said: 

‘The process was straightforward, supportive, and incredibly valuable. The programme connected us with talented people and expertise that would otherwise have been difficult for a young business to access.’

To find out more about SYIP, please visit shu.ac.uk/syip

The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme is being delivered by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with The University of Sheffield and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and is part-funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.