Est. New York, 1920
The Skin Culture Story
Over a century of clinical skincare — the same formula, the same commitment, for over a million customers worldwide.
How It All Began
A New York pharmacist. A formula that changed skincare.
The Skin Culture story begins in 1920 with Anthony Getz, a New York pharmacist and chemist who, whilst operating his drug store, developed a series of skincare products with the aid of a physician.
Among the products developed were the skin peeling treatments — a method that would go on to transform millions of complexions across the world. The formulation developed in 1937 is the exact same formulation used today. Nearly ninety years of proven results, unchanged.
The treatment was initially developed as a salon-based treatment for use in the Skin Culture offices across New York, Hollywood, Detroit and Newark. In the 1930s and early 1940s, the institute became a fixture of New York life — featured across the city's leading newspapers and endorsed by some of its biggest entertainment celebrities.
Decade by Decade
A century of skin science
1920
Founded in New York
Anthony Getz, a New York pharmacist and chemist, operating his drug store, begins developing a series of skincare products with the aid of a physician. Among them: a revolutionary skin peeling treatment that would go on to transform millions of complexions across the world.
“A pharmacist with a vision — and the chemistry to back it up.”
Daily News · Nov 7, 19341934
Dermure Skin Culture Institute Opens on Fifth Avenue
Skin Culture opens its doors at 599 Fifth Avenue, New York, operating as the Dermure Skin Culture Institute. Within a year it becomes the largest organisation of its kind in the city — employing modern cosmetic-dermatology techniques without X-ray, surgery or dangerous chemical 'peeling'. A special Free Clinic Division is maintained for men and women unable to afford private care.
“The complexions of hundreds have been restored at Dermure.”
Brooklyn Times Union · Mar 2, 19351935
Brooklyn Times Union Feature
The Brooklyn Times Union features Dermure Skin Culture Institute, highlighting its work treating complexion defects including pimples, blackheads, scars, large pores and oily skin. The institute's 'Stop Experimenting With Your Skin' message resonates — hideous disfigurement from neglect or mistreatment can be avoided.
“Stop experimenting with your skin. Definite results — even in stubborn cases.”
1937
The Formula Is Perfected — Unchanged to This Day
The triple-acid peeling formula — combining Resorcinol, Salicylic Acid and Phenol — is developed and refined to its final form. This is the very same formulation used in every Skin Culture peel today. Nearly ninety years later, no improvement has been found necessary. The formula works.
“The formulation developed in 1937 is the same formulation that is used today.”
New York Post · Nov 17, 19381938
National Expansion — Celebrity Endorsements
Skin Culture gains national attention. Vocalist Peggy Fears of the El Rio Club declares 'A clear face is as important as a clear voice' in the New York Post. The Newark Ledger announces the opening of a branch office in the Griffith Building, 605 Broad Street, Newark. The Jewish Chronicle covers Skin Culture Inc extensively. Branches now operate in Hollywood, Detroit, Newark and New York.
“A clear face is as important as a clear voice — Peggy Fears, vocalist.”
New York Post · Jan 19, 19391939
Jimmy Dorsey Endorses Skin Culture
The New York Post features top band leader Jimmy Dorsey of the Hotel New Yorker complimenting vocalist Ella May Morse: 'Your skin is as clear as your voice.' The article notes that theatrical celebrities have high praise for the amazing achievements of the Skin Culture Institute and its distinctive method for skin clarification.
“Your skin is as clear as your voice — Jimmy Dorsey, Hotel New Yorker.”
Sunday Mirror Magazine · Oct 19, 19411941–42
Wartime Growth — 545 Fifth Avenue
Despite wartime, Skin Culture continues to grow. The Sunday Mirror Magazine and Daily News both feature the institute's services at its flagship location at 545 Fifth Avenue (corner of 45th Street). A special low-price department is maintained for men and women of limited means, reflecting the institute's founding commitment to accessibility.
“You, too, can have a clear complexion — whatever your age.”
Daily News · June 4 & 11, 19461946
Post-War Era — 645 Fifth Avenue
The Daily News runs two consecutive features in June 1946, advertising Skin Culture at the new 645 Fifth Avenue location. 'Clear Your Face — Quickly, Inexpensively!' targets post-war New Yorkers seeking to address pimples, blackheads, large pores, muddy, oily and dry skin. Private consultation and complexion analysis available free of charge.
“Our quick, inexpensive method has helped countless men and women attain a clear complexion.”
1971
The Home Treatment Revolution
A pivotal moment in Skin Culture history. The company is sold to chemist and pharmacist Burton Wanetik, who adapts the salon-based treatment for safe, effective at-home use. For the first time, anyone can undergo a professional-grade chemical peel in the privacy of their own home — at a fraction of the clinical cost.
“Clinical results, at home, at your own pace.”
1990
Skin Culture Arrives in the UK & Europe
Skin Culture Ltd is established in the United Kingdom, bringing the peeling treatments to the British and European markets. The response is immediate and enthusiastic — the same clinical results, now available to a new generation of customers across the UK and Europe.
“The same results. A new continent.”
1994
Canadian Government Approval — A World First
The Skin Culture peel becomes the only treatment of its type ever to receive formal approval for sale in Canada. A landmark regulatory endorsement that underscores decades of safety testing, clinical refinement and proven results across millions of customers.
“The only treatment of its type to receive formal Canadian approval.”
1997
skinculture.com Launches — Going Global
The launch of the Skin Culture website in 1997 puts the peeling treatment onto the global market. Customers from Japan, Australia, South Africa and beyond begin their transformation. Skin Culture becomes a truly global company — offering home-based skin peeling programmes directly to consumers everywhere, with no compromise on quality or service.
“From a New York drug store to a global audience — the same formula, for everyone.”
From the Press Archive
As seen in the Press — 1934 to 1946
Original newspaper advertisements and editorial features from Skin Culture's earliest years — evidence of a brand already trusted across New York, New Jersey, Hollywood and Detroit. Click any clipping to view in full.
Original press cuttings from the Skin Culture archive, 1934–1946. Featured in the New York Post, Daily News, Sunday Mirror, Brooklyn Times Union, Newark Ledger and Jewish Chronicle.
Our History at a Glance
Key Milestones
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1920
Founded by a New York pharmacist and physicianSkin peeling treatments developed alongside a range of skincare products in a New York drug store.
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1934
Dermure Skin Culture Institute establishedOpens at 599 Fifth Avenue, New York — immediately the city's largest cosmetic-dermatology institute.
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1935
Brooklyn Times Union editorial coverageMedia attention grows across New York's boroughs. Free Clinic Division opens for men and women of limited means.
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1937
The formula is perfected — unchanged to this dayResorcinol, Salicylic Acid and Phenol combined in the triple-acid formulation still used in every Skin Culture peel today.
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1938–39
Celebrity endorsements & national expansionFeatured in New York Post, Daily News, Newark Ledger and Jewish Chronicle. Branches open in Hollywood, Detroit, Newark and Jamaica. Endorsed by Peggy Fears and Jimmy Dorsey.
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1941–46
Wartime growth — 545 & 645 Fifth AvenueContinued expansion through the war years. Sunday Mirror and Daily News feature regular advertisements. New flagship at 645 Fifth Avenue by 1946.
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1971
Home treatment introduced — a revolution in skincareCompany sold to Burton Wanetik. The salon treatment is adapted for safe, professional-grade at-home use for the first time.
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1990
UK & European market launchSkin Culture Ltd established in the United Kingdom. The treatment reaches a new generation across Britain and Europe.
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1994
Canadian Government approval — a world firstThe only treatment of its type ever to receive formal approval for sale in Canada — a landmark regulatory endorsement.
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1997
skinculture.com launches — global marketThe website takes the peel treatment worldwide. Customers from Japan, Australia, South Africa and beyond begin their transformations.
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Today
1 million+ customers worldwideThe same formula. The same commitment. A global company delivering clinical skincare directly to consumers everywhere.
The Same Formula. The Same Results.
100 years of proven results — Available to you today
The formulation developed in 1937 is the very same one used in every Skin Culture peel today. Join over a million men and women worldwide who have trusted Skin Culture to transform their skin.