In 1983, Jane Wurwand, a tenured skin therapist and licensed instructor, arrived in Los Angeles, following a brief time in South Africa. Approximately six months earlier, her then-boyfriend (now-husband) South African Raymond Wurwand took a job as a sales representative for a company selling equipment to the skin care industry. Together they hosted skin therapy classes in the company’s showroom to educate students and promote the equipment.Following the success of their educational programs, Jane and Ray Wurwand created a business plan to continue their courses. By the end of 1983, the couple had launched the school that became the first International Dermal Institute (IDI) in Marina Del Rey. Two years later, Wurwand set out to develop products free of common skin irritants, including lanolin, SD alcohol, mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances. This was inspired by student requests as well as a lack of existing products that Jane Wurwand could use on her skin, which experienced dermatitis and chronic eczema.

Dermalogica was created and premiered in 1986 as a skin care line, sold in concept spaces and in authorized salons, spas and beauty supply stores. As of 2013, Dermalogica has more than 100,000 trained skin therapists around the globe and 22 concept spaces in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East; the concept spaces and/or hybrid learning centers worldwide are dedicated to bringing consumer and professional education, professional treatments and retail sales together under one roof.Dermalogica continues to operate The International Dermal Institute (IDI), a provider of postgraduate skin care education.[17] With 38 postgraduate training centers and 45 international affiliates, IDI trains more than 75,000 professional skin therapists every year. IDI is also responsible for the research and development of Dermalogica treatments and products.

Dermalogica has won awards and been recognized by publications, including InStyle, Harper's Bazaar, New Woman, Beauty LaunchPad, Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW), Allure, American Spa, American Salon, Shecky's, Life & Style, The UK Beauty Awards, Vogue, Guild Awards of Excellence and CoolBrands.