Interview | Dr Hallie McDonald of Erly

Dr Hallie McDonald is a board-certified dermatologist who has spent years helping patients care for their skin through every life stage while navigating ever-changing skincare trends and ingredient crazes.

At a time when social media is fuelling a beauty culture where more is more, Dr McDonald has become a strong advocate for a simpler, evidence-based approach to skincare. So much so that she teamed up with former marketing executive Jamie Chandlee to create Erly, a brand built around gentle, dermatologist-developed essentials that prioritise skin health over unnecessary complexity.

We recently caught up with Dr McDonald to discuss the inspiration behind the brand, why protecting the skin barrier is so important, and the beauty advice she believes everyone should know.

What inspired you to create Erly?

As a dermatologist and a mom, I saw a growing gap between what the beauty industry was selling to people and what their skin actually needed. Young people were using products with strong acids, retinoids, and fragrances before they even understood the basics of healthy skin.

I wanted to create a brand that took an approach rooted in science, simplicity, and education. Erly was built around the idea that healthy skin starts with protecting the skin barrier. Our formulas are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and designed with a wide range of ages and skin types in mind.

What product makes the best introduction to the brand?

I’d recommend Erly Daily Dew Illuminating Serum because it perfectly captures our philosophy of creating multitasking products that are both effective and uncomplicated. It combines niacinamide, phloretin, and glycerin to help brighten, hydrate, and support the skin barrier in one simple step. Like all of our products, it’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and designed to be gentle enough for sensitive skin, proving that you don’t need a complicated routine to achieve healthy skin. Plus, it gives the skin a beautiful, instant glow.

What has been the biggest highlight?

Seeing Erly become a brand that entire families use together has been incredibly rewarding. It’s been amazing to see moms, dads, teens, tweens, and even grandparents incorporating Erly into their routines. Hearing that our products have simplified skincare across generations is exactly what we hoped for. Professionally, launching nationally at Ulta Beauty just one year after founding the company was a milestone I’ll never forget.

What advice would you give to those wanting to launch their own beauty brand?

Be prepared to wear every hat imaginable. One hour you’re discussing ingredient percentages with a chemist, the next you’re packing samples or troubleshooting a shipping issue. Building a beauty brand is equal parts science, creativity, and problem-solving.

What’s next for Erly?

We’re continuing to expand thoughtfully with products that support healthy skin without adding unnecessary complexity. Education will always remain at the center of what we do, and we’re excited to keep reaching more people through new product launches and more conversations about building healthy skincare habits from an early age.

What does your daily beauty routine look like?

I keep my routine surprisingly simple. In the morning, I cleanse with our Face Foam, apply Daily Erly Splash Hydrating Serum, and finish with Erly Start Moisturizer with SPF. I wear sunscreen every single day, even if it is raining. At night, I cleanse again, apply Erly Daily Splash Hydrating Serum for extra hydration, use a prescription retinoid, and finish with Erly Night Moisturizer with Peptides. As a dermatologist, I’ve learned that consistency matters far more than having a complicated routine.

What are three beauty products you can’t live without?

The first is Erly Daily Splash Hydrating Serum. It contains three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to penetrate different layers of the skin. It delivers lightweight hydration, makes my skin feel bouncy, and layers beautifully under any routine.

I have long hair, and I am obsessed with Unite 7Seconds Detangler. It keeps my hair soft, manageable, protects against heat, and somehow makes every day a good hair day.

And I always have Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Gloss in my bag. It adds just the right amount of color while keeping my lips comfortable and hydrated.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve been given?

Protect your skin from the sun every day. It’s not the most glamorous advice, but after years of practicing dermatology, I can confidently say that daily sunscreen does more for your skin than any other product.

What person or brand would you love to collaborate with?

I’ve always admired Ralph Lauren because it’s built on timeless design, understated quality, and the idea that great products can be passed from one generation to the next. That’s very similar to what we’re trying to build with Erly. Our products are designed to be simple, effective, and used by a wide range of ages, so I think a collaboration centered around those shared values would feel authentic.

What’s not getting the attention it deserves in the beauty industry right now?

Sensitive skin. More people than ever are struggling with irritation, whether it’s from overusing active ingredients, fragrance, or simply trying too many products at once. Yet many products are still formulated with unnecessary irritants or marketed around the idea that stronger is better. I think there’s a real opportunity for the industry to create more effective, elegant products that are intentionally designed for sensitive skin.

Erly is available at Ulta Beauty and itserly.com, with shipping limited to the US. For more exclusive conversations with beauty founders, explore our beauty interviews archive.