8 February 2026 marked the official unveiling of the newly reimagined Derma Energy—a milestone relaunch ten years in the making.
Founder, chemist and formulator Sean Abel revealed the evolved range at an intimate luncheon hosted at the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, attended by 60 close friends, family and long-standing clients. What guests believed would be a brand relaunch soon became something more personal: a surprise celebration of Abel’s 50th birthday, reached just days earlier.
The afternoon began with a sit-down lunch overlooking the harbour, before Abel formally welcomed guests and shared the story behind the relaunch. He revealed that Derma Energy had officially turned ten that month—an anniversary that prompted a period of deep reflection on time, growth, and what true refinement really means.
“Derma Energy turns ten this month. And for a long time, I thought by now it would be fully formed—completely world-class, finished. When it wasn’t, I felt a sense of shame—that my success had taken too long. But Derma Energy took ten years to mature not because it was difficult, but because I refused to rush it. I wanted to understand every part of it: the science, the biology, the skin, the systems, the mistakes. I didn’t want shortcuts. I wanted integrity.
Maturation is a mark of refinement. It isn’t failure. And I’ve come to realise that failing is never actually starting.”
He continued:
“Derma Energy was never about just fixing skin. It was about respecting it—working with biology instead of against it. Because real results don’t come from fighting nature; they come from understanding it. And that idea reaches far beyond skincare.”
The relaunch reflects this philosophy: a refined, future-proofed range shaped by a decade of formulation discipline, biological respect, and evidence-based skincare science.
Guests enjoyed a curated menu beginning with South Coast rock oysters, followed by salmon with apple cream, fennel and beetroot, alongside grilled focaccia with burrata, wagyu carpaccio, zucchini flowers and ricotta ravioli. Mains of Angus striploin and barramundi were served with zucchini, olive and fennel, complemented by sides of fries and grilled broccolini.
The afternoon concluded with a surprise appearance by drag performer Prada Clutch, who hosted a lively hour of Drag Bingo. Her razor-sharp wit and rapid-fire humour had guests laughing throughout—an unexpected and joyful finale that perfectly captured the celebratory spirit of the day.
The event marked not only the unveiling of a new chapter for Derma Energy, but a celebration of patience, purpose, and the long road to meaningful innovation.
