Damdam
8 known investors
Evolutionary Japanese skincare brand blending tradition with modern skin science.
Also known as DAMDAM Tokyo · ダムダム
Investors · 8
Also in the syndicate · 3
Company profile
researched Aug 2026DAMDAM is a Japanese skincare brand founded in Tokyo by Giselle Go and Philippe Terrien. It formulates serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, balms and hair and body products around plant-derived Japanese ingredients such as konnyaku, snow mushroom (shirokikurage), shiso, kaolin, amanatsu citrus, rice bran, hyaluronic acid, Uji matcha and bakuchi (the source of bakuchiol). The brand describes its products as created with over 100 years of skincare manufacturing heritage and positions itself at the intersection of Japanese tradition, craftsmanship and modern skin science.
The assortment spans full-size and mini formats, discovery kits and ritual sets, with published prices ranging from about $9 for mini cleansers to $200 for the Age Care Ritual set. Core products include Mochi Mochi Luminous Cream ($48), Citrus Glow Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Serum ($68), Ume Plum Firming Serum ($68), Silk Rice Cleansing Oil ($46), Paradisi Mist Hydrating Essence ($48), Nomad's Cream Purifying Cleanser ($38), Snow Mushroom Salt Cleanser ($47), Matcha Boost Eye Serum ($68), Rice Drops Balancing Oil Serum ($68), Skin Mud Pure Mask ($48), Ginkgo Bouncy Water Cream ($48) and a Shiso-scented shampoo, conditioner and body wash line. Product claims are supported by consumer perception studies cited on the site, including studies of 51 participants (Citrus Glow, one week), 87 participants (Mochi Mochi, two weeks) and 30 participants (Matcha Boost Eye Serum, two weeks).
Founding story
DAMDAM was founded in Tokyo by Giselle Go and Philippe Terrien with the aim of offering skincare that draws on Japanese beauty traditions and ancestral ingredients while applying advanced skin science, delivered as a sensory experience.
Business model
Direct-to-consumer sales through the brand's own bilingual (Japanese and English) online shop, supported by owned flagship retail and third-party specialty and department store distribution.
Product sales of skincare, hair and body care items in single units, minis, duos and ritual sets, with a customer loyalty and rewards program offering points redeemable for discounts of up to 15% and newsletter sign-up incentives.
Traction
Japan is currently DAMDAM's largest market, though press reporting in January 2025 indicated the US could overtake it by year-end following the brand's fall Sephora US launch. Site-published review counts include 150 reviews (4.8/5) for Mochi Mochi Luminous Cream, 96 (4.6/5) for Paradisi Mist and 94 (4.8/5) for Citrus Glow.
Latest developments
In January 2025 DAMDAM announced a seed funding round led by Silas Capital, with participation from Habitat Partners, Joyance Asia, Fab Ventures and Top Knot, following a debut in Sephora US stores in the preceding fall. Proceeds were earmarked for US market expansion, expansion of the US team, digital platforms, product development and sustainability initiatives.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Positioned as a J-beauty brand combining clean, plant-origin formulations with Japanese heritage manufacturing; press coverage frames investor interest in J-beauty start-ups against the prior success of Tatcha. The brand has received editorial mentions from Forbes, Allure Best of Beauty, T: The New York Times Style Magazine Japan, Vogue and Elle.
Emphasis on 100% plant-origin formulations, regeneratively farmed Japanese ingredients, over a century of Japanese skincare manufacturing heritage, and retail environments designed by Studio Hashimura featuring Japanese craft materials such as cashew-based lacquer, thinned wood and washi shelving, copper sinks and a chestnut side table by designer Takanobu Kurimata.
Technology
Formulations use naturally derived Japanese ingredients, including regeneratively farmed hero ingredients sourced locally in Japan. The Citrus Glow serum combines dual forms of Vitamin C with multi-layered hyaluronic acid using a Japanese-developed three-phase emulsification technique.
Go-to-market
DAMDAM sells online and through flagship shops in Omotesando, Tokyo and Gion, Kyoto, plus a store-locator for stockists. In the US its products are carried by Sephora and Moda Operandi; in Japan by Cosme Kitchen, Isetan, Barney's New York, Hankyu, United Arrows and Ron Herman. The brand offers free US shipping and gift-with-purchase promotions on orders over $100.
Consumers seeking plant-origin Japanese (J-beauty) skincare, segmented on the site by skin type (combination, dry, mature, normal, oily, sensitive) and by concerns including acne, dryness, dullness, fine lines, loss of firmness, clogged pores, redness and UV damage.
Geography
Headquartered in Tokyo with flagship stores in Omotesando (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and Gion (Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto); retail distribution in Japan and the United States, with free shipping offered on all US orders.
History
Founded in Tokyo by Giselle Go and Philippe Terrien, DAMDAM built a plant-origin skincare range and opened flagship shops in Omotesando, Tokyo and Gion, Kyoto. It entered US specialty retail with Sephora in the fall of 2024 and announced seed funding in January 2025.
Risks & controversies
Reported figures for the January 2025 seed round differ materially across outlets, with one trade publication citing US$30 million and another citing $3 million for the same Silas Capital-led round.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Competitors · 6
by search overlap
Companies competing with Damdam for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline · 2
launches, deals, and filingsDAMDAM announced a seed funding round led by Silas Capital with participation from Habitat Partners, Joyance Asia, Fab Ventures and Top Knot. Reported amounts differ between outlets: Global Cosmetics News reported US$30 million while BeautyMatter reported $3 million. Proceeds are directed to US market expansion, US team growth, digital platforms, product launches and sustainability efforts.
The brand launched in Sephora stores in the US in the fall, ahead of its January 2025 seed round announcement.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Damdamdamdamtokyo.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Damdam do?
- DAMDAM is a Tokyo-based Japanese skincare brand pairing traditional plant-derived ingredients with modern skin science.
- Who are Damdam's investors?
- Damdam's investors include Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures, Habitat Partners, Joyance Partners, Fab Ventures, Silas Capital Partners.