Twenty years of botanical skincare
Inspired by One Dog Named Shenanigan
Dermagic wasn't built by a pharmaceutical company or a marketing team. It was built by an organic chemist trying to save her champion show dog. Every formula still traces back to that original moment.
Meet the Founder
Dr. Adelia Ritchie
PhD Organic Chemist · Founder · Formulator
Adelia's professional life began in a chemistry classroom and continued in a Yorkshire Terrier show ring. She spent decades formulating natural topical remedies for her own dogs — long before Dermagic ever existed as a company.
- PhD Organic Chemist
- Former organic chemistry lecturer, Florida
- Long-time Yorkshire Terrier breeder and exhibitor
- Founder of DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc.
- Creator and formulator of every original Dermagic product
- Specialist in botanical and natural topical formulations
The Origin Story
The Story That Built the Company
Six moments across roughly two decades — from a champion show dog on the brink of euthanasia to the founding of a company that now ships to owners across Europe.
N° 01
It Started With a Show Dog
Years before Dermagic existed as a company, Dr. Adelia Ritchie was breeding and showing Yorkshire Terriers while teaching organic chemistry. One of her champion dogs, Shenanigan, developed a severe skin condition that worsened despite conventional veterinary treatment.
N° 02
Why Existing Treatments Failed
Standard care at the time relied heavily on corticosteroids, antibiotics and strong topical chemicals. Symptoms could sometimes be reduced — but healthy skin and hair weren't being restored. Eventually the vet suggested euthanasia because the treatment options had been exhausted.
N° 03
Years of Experimentation
Being an organic chemist, Adelia refused to give up and set to work on her own. She formulated dozens of prototype topical blends — botanical oils, herbal extracts, moisturisers and skin-conditioning ingredients. In her own words, Shenanigan got "dunked, slathered, gooped and drenched." Each version was slightly better than the last.
N° 04
The 48-Hour Turnaround
Eventually one formula changed everything. Within 48 hours the scratching and crying had stopped, the itching dropped dramatically, and soft new hair began appearing. Six months on, Shenanigan was back in full coat and back in the show ring. That formula became what is now Dermagic Skin Rescue Lotion.
N° 05
Word of Mouth Before Commerce
Adelia didn't rush to build a business. For years she quietly made batches for friends, family, fellow breeders, dog-show colleagues — and eventually for cats and horses too. The formulas spread almost entirely by word of mouth.
N° 06
Dermagic Is Born
In 2005 a close friend told her: "Adelia, you owe it to the world to get these products to market and end so much needless suffering." That single conversation was the turning point. In 2006 she incorporated DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc.
One Formula Became a Family
From a Single Bottle to a Full Skincare System
Skin Rescue Lotion opened the door. Over the following years the range grew into a complete botanical routine, with every product designed to work with the others — not compete with them.
- Skin Rescue Lotion
- Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo
- Peppermint & Tea Tree Conditioner
- Cell Restoration Creme
- Hot Spot Salve
- Anti-Dandruff Salt Scrub
- Grooming Spritz
- Dead Sea Bath Salts
- Certified Organic Shampoo Bars
- Complete Skin Care Systems
Waterford, Ireland
How the Range Reached Europe
Dermagic Europe is the EU distribution and operating entity for the range. We stock, ship and support every product across the European Union from an Irish base that keeps fulfilment fast, low-friction and free of the customs delays that used to slow orders coming from the US parent.
The formulations themselves are still made in the USA to Dr. Ritchie's original specifications. Every bottle, jar and bar that leaves our warehouse is the same product she and her team have been refining since 2006 — nothing reformulated for the EU market, nothing watered down.
But we do more than move boxes. Our team is here to help you match a product to your pet's specific concern, understand a routine, or work through a stubborn skin condition that hasn't responded to what you've already tried. Many of the conversations we have every day aren't about products at all — they're about hope after a difficult vet visit, or reassurance that a full, healthy coat really can come back.
If you're not sure where to start, get in touch.
Dermagic products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or replace veterinary care. Always consult your vet about any serious or persistent skin condition.
Try the Formulas That Started It All
Skin Rescue Lotion is still the same botanical topical that brought Shenanigan back — and the four-step system it grew into is still the routine we recommend today.