Skincare telehealth start-up raises US$52m ahead of expansion

GetHarley, named after London’s famed private healthcare destination, claims to be a “one-stop” platform offering access to online consultations and “medical grade” products on delivery.

Founded by Charmaine Chow, the telehealth platform aims to connect women with experienced clinicians and aestheticians for a “personalised” discovery of products and treatments for various skin concerns. Consultation prices range from £40 to £150 per session.

Part of GetHarley’s business model involves selling skincare products as part of a personalised plan, catering to specific individual factors. Products may include anything from cleansers and serums to moisturisers and eye creams.

“The skincare industry is overflowing with false claims, celebrity marketing and thousands upon thousands of choices about how to care for your skin,” explained Chow.

“You end up wasting huge amounts of time, money and energy trying to figure out what works for you. I looked everywhere for solutions for my challenging skin.

“While consumers are being pulled in multiple directions, clinicians are time-poor and overstretched and you can never quite get hold of them.

“GetHarley solves all this, giving experts a one-stop platform, and helping global consumers get access to the best advice in a crowded marketplace.”

The global skin care products market size was valued at US$135bn in 2022. However, GetHarley positions itself in a narrower category, known as “medical-grade skincare”.

The specialist skincare products in this class are typically formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to skincare products on the high street. As they are more potent, they work harder for your skin and therefore provide both medicinal and cosmetic benefits, the company argues.

The start-up has previously raised US$15m in funding, and in the four years since its foundation, the company says it has garnered some 100,000 active users, amassing a team of 70.