How This Skincare Brand Hit $740K in 16 Months Without Paid Ads

Introduction

In mid-2021, sisters Nel Mokhtar and Palvasha Naziry had no formal marketing budget, a small kitchen workspace, and a big problem: Nel’s severe dermatitis. From that challenge they crafted the first Supercharge Facial Oil, poured it by hand, and turned social media curiosity into a high-velocity business. This is how they went from zero to A$1.1 million (approx. $740,000 USD) in revenue in just 16 months—without spending on paid ads.

Finding a Natural Solution

Nel’s dermatologist prescribed topical ointments that worked, but she wanted a gentler, all-natural alternative. She ordered raw oils online, conducted small trials in her parents’ Sydney home, and settled on a blend that soothed redness and itch. With Palvasha’s encouragement—and a shared A$5,000 savings pool—they sourced ingredients, custom glass bottles, and minimalist labels. The brand name Next Level Skin embodied their goal: ingredients that raised the bar on clean skincare.

Building an Audience Organically

Rather than invest in Facebook or Google ads, the sisters leaned into organic platforms. Palvasha, already sharing her acne journey on TikTok, repurposed content to show how she applied the new facial oil. Their daily posts, behind-the-scenes kitchen blends, and genuine before-and-after clips sparked interest. By October 2021, they offered 120 free samples to followers in exchange for feedback. The buzz led to a Shopify launch that sold out all bottles in under 24 hours.

Riding the Influencer Wave

Organic mentions from micro-influencers catapulted the brand. Unprompted posts tagged Next Level Skin, and inbox requests rolled in. The sisters sent out oils and masks with a simple ask: try for two weeks, then share honest thoughts. Word-of-mouth spread internationally, and orders surged without a single paid partnership.

Scaling Up Operations

By December 2021, home-kitchen production hit capacity. They partnered with an Australian contract manufacturer and leased storage space in Melbourne. The family still hand-boxed orders at Nel’s parents’ house, but fulfillment grew from a few dozen to hundreds daily. Investment in branded packaging, quality control, and a 30-day money-back guarantee cemented trust.

Key Milestones & Results

When they hit A$100,000 revenue in February 2022, the sisters celebrated with a family dinner. A few months later, a weekend promotion generated A$36,000 in 48 hours—equal to Nel’s annual receptionist salary, now earned in days. Today, Next Level Skin has amassed over A$1,112,304 in total sales, proving that creativity, authenticity, and grit can outmatch big ad budgets.

Conclusion

Next Level Skin’s story shows that solving a real problem, leaning into social media authenticity, and trusting customer feedback can build a high-growth brand from the ground up. With no paid ads and minimal initial capital, the two sisters turned their kitchen project into a thriving e-commerce business.