The Science Behind Effective Skincare with Scott Futterman and Samuel Raoof of DRMTLGY
6/2/202646 min
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with DRMTLGY co-founders Scott Futterman and Samuel Raoof for a conversation that cuts through one of the beauty industry’s biggest misconceptions: that great skincare is defined by ingredient lists alone. In a market flooded with trending actives, viral products, and marketing claims, they offer a rare look at what actually determines whether a product performs.
The story begins long before DRMTLGY entered the consumer market. Raised around dermatology, Samuel developed a deep appreciation for skin science and eventually recognized a gap in physician-dispensed skincare. Rather than relying on existing manufacturers, he built his own facility to create formulations that met the standards dermatologists were seeking. Years later, Scott saw an opportunity to make those same products more accessible, helping transform DRMTLGY into one of the most recognized science-driven skincare brands today.
Throughout the episode, the founders challenge the industry’s obsession with ingredient names and buzzwords. A product’s effectiveness, they explain, depends on far more than whether it contains vitamin C, retinol, or peptides. Stability, delivery systems, concentration, bioavailability, and formulation architecture all influence whether an ingredient can actually perform inside the skin.
The conversation also pulls back the curtain on product development—from stability studies and preservative testing to finished-formula clinical trials. Rather than relying on supplier claims, DRMTLGY evaluates how ingredients behave within the final formulation, where real-world performance is determined.
Listen to the full episode to hear Scott Futterman and Samuel Raoof explain why formulation matters more than buzzwords—and why efficacy should remain the standard by which skincare is judged.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsEkta Yadav· Host0:00
Hey guys, welcome back to Skin Anarchy. This is a very special episode because I'm interviewing a brand that I have been using for quite a while now. I've been a huge fan of their entire line, and I think they have such amazing products, and really, really they lean on that efficacy component when it comes to skincare that you can rely on. I, I always love these opportunities to talk to those type of brands because I think this is really the future of skincare, as I've told you guys many times on the podcast. I would love to introduce you guys to the co-founders of DRMTLGY, Scott and Sam.
Scott Futterman· Guest0:29
Pleasure to be here. Thank you for having us.
Samuel Raoof· Guest0:31
Thank you for having us.
Ekta Yadav· Host0:32
It's a pleasure to have you both, and I'm so excited to dive into DRMTLGY. I'm s- like I said, I'm a total stan for the brand, and I, I think that what you're doing is very unique in the space. You know, I don't really get to talk to a lot of brands that are so heavily focused on just, let's do the science, you know, and let's get that right and, and go f- with that first and foremost. I, I really actually even love the kind of marketing you guys put out. You know? It just like all jives with what I think skincare should be doing. So that's my... I mean, that's my little intro. But I would love to start off. Uh, Sam, can you maybe get us started? Walk us down memory lane, you know, in terms of, like, where did the brand begin for both of you? I mean, what really kinda sparked that, that interest where you both thought, "I need... You know, we need to start our own thing"?
Samuel Raoof· Guest1:13
Absolutely. So, you know, the story goes back 24 years. I'm a son of a dermatologist. My father has been practicing for, for many, many years. And as a kid, we grew up going to the American Academy of Dermatology as our annual vacation. And so I'd get dragged around the convention floor