Dermagic is a natural pet skincare range — created in 2006 by a chemist who refused to lose her dog to a skin disease. Here’s how it began, what’s in it, and how the four-step system works.
The story: a chemist, a Yorkie, and a vet who said it was time to put her down
Dermagic exists because a vet once recommended euthanasia for a show dog named Shenanigan.
Dr. Adelia Ritchie — a PhD organic chemist, dog breeder, and at the time an organic chemistry lecturer — had taken her prize-winning Yorkshire Terrier through every standard veterinary protocol available. Steroids, antibiotics, cortisone shots. Shenanigan only got worse: thick black skin, a permanent bad odour, constant crying and scratching. The vet’s final advice was to end it.
Dr. Ritchie went home and started formulating instead.
The first prototypes used natural, herbal and organic ingredients — vegetable oils, essential oils, plant butters. Shenanigan was dunked, slathered, and re-tested. After a handful of trials, the formula that became DERMagic Skin Rescue Lotion worked. The crying stopped within hours. New hair was sprouting within 48 hours of the first treatment. Within six months, Shenanigan was back in full coat and back in the show ring.
For nearly two decades after that, Dr. Ritchie used the formulations on family pets, friends’ dogs, and animals belonging to colleagues in the show world. In 2006, after a friend told her “Adelia, you owe it to the world to get these products to market,” DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc. was incorporated.
Dermagic Europe is the UK and European supplier of the range — the same formulations, the same principles, distributed from the Isle of Man.
The principle: relief without steroids or harsh chemicals
Most veterinary skin treatments lean on cortisone, prednisone, antibiotics, or strong synthetic chemicals. They suppress the immune response, mask the symptom, and often make the underlying problem worse — disrupted immunity invites mange mites and bacteria to move in.
Dermagic was built on the opposite premise: support the skin, kill the pathogens topically, and let the animal’s own immune system rebuild.
Every product uses only the finest ingredients available — certified organic whole-leaf aloe vera gel, vitamin E, organic shea butter, beeswax, therapeutic essential oils and soothing plant oils. No artificial perfumes, no synthetic dyes, no parabens, no sulphates. Made in the USA with domestic ingredients, completely non-toxic to pets and people.
The four-step Dermagic system
The system treats the root cause and supports recovery in four steps. Used in order, it tackles itching, restores damaged skin, and helps the coat grow back.
Step 1 — Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
Before any topical treatment, the skin needs to be properly cleansed. The sulphate-free shampoo and gentle conditioner system is pH-balanced for dogs, formulated to soothe itching, condition the skin, eliminate odour, and stimulate the healing process.
For a greener alternative, the Certified Organic Shampoo Bars require no conditioner and leave the coat squeaky clean — easier to handle, longer-lasting, no plastic bottle.
Step 2 — Skin Rescue Lotion
The core of the system. For general itchiness, hot spots, seborrhoea, severe Black Skin Disease (Alopecia X), or significant hair loss, massage the lotion into the affected areas twice daily. A soft t-shirt over the dog keeps the lotion on the skin and stops them licking it off.
Once the disease is under control, switch to Hot Spot Salve for any stubborn spots that remain.
Step 3 — Hot Spot Salve
A more concentrated version of the Skin Rescue Lotion, made to stick to wounds. Use it on hot spots, minor wounds, insect bites, localised allergic reactions, and any small inflamed or itchy area. Once or twice a day until symptoms disappear.
Keeping a tin handy is the right move for any small bite or cut — it prevents secondary infection before it starts.
Step 4 — Cell Restoration Crème
As the skin heals and fur begins to grow back, the Cell Restoration Crème supports the final recovery. Massage in as needed to soften and protect new skin, speed cell regeneration, and boost cellular immunity to prevent reinfection.
It’s also the product to reach for in winter — cracked pads, chapped noses — and in summer for scorched feet.
For especially dry or dandruff-prone skin
The Dead Sea Anti-Dandruff Salt Scrubs complement the system by providing deep exfoliation and detoxification of the skin just before bathing. The therapeutic essential oils are both relaxing for the pet and stimulating for the skin.
Cats too
DERMagic for cats is a parallel range formulated specifically for feline pH and sensitivities. The Rosemary Shampoo Bar and Feline Skin Rescue Lotion are non-toxic, pH-balanced, biodegradable, and free from artificial dyes and fragrances. Safe for cats and kittens.
Where to start
If your pet is struggling with hot spots, hair loss, Black Skin Disease, allergies, or persistent itching, the Skin Rescue Lotion is the single product to begin with. For a full course, the four-step system in a money-saving bundle covers everything from initial bath to final recovery.
The complete range is at dermagic.eu. For specific product guidance email info@dermagic.eu or call 01624 829575.