Starting from a college dorm room, Topicals quickly evolved into Sephora's fastest-growing skincare line, selling a product every minute at its peak. This isn't just a story of impressive growth—it's about challenging the historic blind spots of the beauty industry, championing cultural representation, and the tenacity of two founders determined to serve overlooked communities.

Nathan and Aaron walk us through Topicals' rapid journey: their unique approach to brand-building, the grit required to raise funds, how they cracked the code to a coveted Sephora partnership, and what happens when hypergrowth meets the realities of scale. Beyond Topicals, they also unpack broader trends in ecommerce, recent acquisitions shaking up the space, and the future of culture-driven holding companies.

Dr Squatch Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-alpha-why-dr-squatch-unilevers-next-flagship-mens-aaron-alpeter-nt5re

Kellogg Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/quiet-candy-empire-thats-eating-your-breakfast-aaron-alpeter-isuse

On this episode of Ecommerce On Tap, we broke down how Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, achieved a billion-dollar valuation in just three years—with less than ten products, no paid celebrity endorsements, and a viral waitlist strategy. We looked at why authenticity and hands-on founder involvement mattered more than just lending a celebrity name, how tactical storytelling and minimalism fueled insane demand, and what founders can learn about operational excellence, keeping product lines focused, and preparing for a massive exit.

Welcome to a new season of Ecommerce On Tap, brought to you by Sourcify! In this exciting category kickoff episode, hosts Nathan Resnick and Aaron Alpeter dive deep into the world of skincare—a market that’s grown from ancient rituals and status symbols into a multi-billion dollar industry shaped by science, social media, and a global consumer base.

Nathan and Aaron trace the fascinating evolution of skincare, from Cleopatra’s milk baths and rice water in ancient China to today’s biotech formulations and viral TikTok routines. They explore how skincare’s meaning has shifted through history—from spiritual purity to social status, and now to self-expression and personalization—and reveal surprising differences in routines and values across cultures.

Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own skincare brand, curious about how products are sourced and manufactured, or just want to know why the products on your shelf look and work the way they do, this episode will give you insider access and expert perspectives. Plus, the hosts break down the industry’s vast supply chain, modern regulatory challenges, white-label versus custom formulations, the global landscape, and why M&A is booming in this category.