GetHarley raises £42m for digital dermatological platform

GetHarley, a startup that has built a platform to connect consumers with dermatological experts, has secured $52m (£42m) in funding.

Based in London, GetHarley provides expert advice to help consumers find a personalised skincare plan and steer clear of illegitimate and unreliable products.

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

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

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

Users can pay for short online consultations with the platform’s experts, or longer more complex medical conversations with more senior doctors.

The platform also allows users to purchase products as part of a personalised plan that is suited to their specific skincare needs, with the support of dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

The CEO says that GetHarley solves this by giving experts a “one-stop platform” and giving consumers access to “the best advice in a crowded marketplace”.

The latest funding round was led by Index Ventures and featured participation from Headline, Visionaries Club and Village Global.

“GetHarley is a quality champion and partner for both the clinics and the consumer,” said Danny Rimer, a partner at Index Ventures.

“People are now incredibly savvy about what they’re buying – especially at a time of economic scarcity, when they want their money to be channelled into meaningful purchases.”

Rimer added: “They rightly want brands and experiences that are transparent, authentic and can deliver a tailored service. GetHarley meets all these criteria and more, and we’re incredibly excited to partner with them.”