Australian skincare finds a place in the Middle Eastern premium beauty market

Australian skincare brand Dr Tanya Skincare is now available at one of the Middle East’s premium beauty retailers. 

With Austrade’s support, the company has launched into the billion-dollar beauty and personal care market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its skincare range is on the counters of premier beauty retailer FACES. FACES has 85 stores and an online presence across the Middle East and Gulf States.

‘Our market entry was a dream,’ says Dr Tanya Unni, Dr Tanya Skincare’s Founder. ‘Austrade drove the whole thing in terms of leads, connections and meetings. Despite strong competition, there is a market for our natural-inspired products.’

By 2026, Dr Tanya Skincare aims to have 80% of its business offshore.

Skincare that fuses ancient rituals with modern medicine

Dr Tanya Skincare is based on the Gold Coast’s Hope Island. A natural affinity for the UAE led the company to begin exporting to the country in 2023. It also exports to India and will soon launch into Saudi Arabia.

Dr Tanya Skincare is 100% Australian owned and made. The products combine Dr Unni's medical training with Ayurvedic principles drawn from her Indian heritage. The skin and scalp products are made from natural and cosmeceutical ingredients. The company uses solar energy and rain-harvested water to manufacture the products in a carbon-neutral facility. It uses eco-friendly packaging, with plans to phase out all plastic products.

Dr Tanya Skincare appeals to a diverse, quality-conscious market, making it ideal for export to the Middle East. 

Dr Tanya's Skincare Range

Facing new markets with support and introductions

Austrade has worked with Dr Tanya Skincare since 2021.

‘Without Austrade, we wouldn’t be here today,’ says Dr Unni. ‘Austrade introduced us to Middle Eastern suppliers, retailers and industry. These connections fast-tracked our market entry, making way for partnerships.’

The connections lead to partnership agreements with premium beauty retailer FACES (owned by Chalhoub Group). Chalhoub Group is the largest retail operator in the Middle East. E-commerce beauty platform Secret Skin is another partner that came via Austrade.

In partnership with TradeStart and Trade and Investment Queensland, Austrade hosted market visits for Dr Tanya Skincare. This included Arab Health, the largest health conference in the region, and the 2023 International Congress of Medical Excellence in Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine.

‘It's important for companies like us to have government support and introductions,’ says Dr Unni. ‘The Middle East and India are sought-after markets. The capacity is there, and the demand is strong.’

Future plans

In 2023, Dr Tanya Skincare appointed a COO to the Middle East. This signifies the company's growth in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India. The COO will manage supply chains in-market. The COO will also build distribution networks with local partners and retailers.

‘Our aim is to be a sought-after and trusted Australian brand,’ says Dr Unni. ‘I feel blessed to be doing business from Australia.’