In an era where the Indian skincare market is flooded with "miracle" ingredients and viral DIY trends, Shaily Mehrotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Fixderma, remains an outlier. While many contemporary brands lead with marketing budgets, Shaily leads with a lab coat. As she makes her debut as the newest "Shark" on Shark Tank India season 5, she isn't just bringing investment capital to the table; she is bringing fifteen years of grit, clinical integrity, and a blueprint for how to build a legacy brand in a landscape of fleeting trends.
The Science of "Shark" Thinking
Shaily’s entry into the Shark Tank is a full-circle moment for a founder who has spent over a decade and a half staying the course. Known for her understated presence and focus on substance over spectacle, her investment philosophy mirrors her business strategy: patient, consistent, and rooted in sustainable fundamentals.
“On the show, I look for founders who have a deep-seated clarity of thought and an uncompromising grip on their domain,” Shaily says. “In skincare, as in any business, there are no shortcuts to trust. You have to earn it, one formulation at a time.”
From Prescription to Household Name
What sets Fixderma apart in the competitive D2C space is its clinical lineage. Long before it was a consumer favourite, it was—and remains—a dermatologist’s go-to choice. Today, Fixderma is trusted and prescribed by over 15,000 dermatologists across India. This professional endorsement isn't a marketing claim; it is the result of a "science-first" approach that prioritizes efficacy over aesthetics.
This dedication has led to a milestone that few Indian skincare companies can claim: Patented Innovation. Fixderma stands as the only Indian skincare company to hold two patented formulations. The first, Fixderma Nigrifix cream, revolutionized the treatment of Acanthosis Nigricans. The second and most recent, the FCL AHA Lightening Gel HQ, reinforces the brand’s leadership in managing hyperpigmentation with clinical precision.
The Manufacturing Edge: Quality Control at Source
In an industry where most brands outsource their production (white-labeling), Shaily took the harder path. Fixderma operates its own state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Neemrana, Rajasthan. This vertical integration allows Shaily to maintain an iron grip on every stage of the product lifecycle—from the meticulous sourcing of raw ingredients to the final quality check.
“Having our own manufacturing is our greatest competitive advantage,” explains Shaily. “It allows us to iterate quickly, maintain high standards, and ensure that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bottle. We don’t just sell products; we create them from the ground up.”
Taking "Made in India" Global
The Fixderma story is no longer confined to Indian borders. With a footprint spanning 40+ countries, Shaily is successfully exporting Indian dermatological excellence to global markets, including the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The brand’s international success is a testament to the universal language of science; clinical results translate across cultures and skin types.
Fixing Skin. Building Trust. The Shaily Mehrotra Way.
