Dododots has become one of Malaysia’s biggest beauty success stories in just a few years.
What started as a small Malaysian start-up selling colourful acne patches has grown into a global business operating in more than 20 countries, with products stocked by major retailers including Miniso Australia, Don Quijote Japan, Sephora Hong Kong and DM Stores Hungary.
Along the way, Dododots has also caught the attention of celebrities across Asia, including Thai actress Kwong Ling Ling, members of K-pop group IVE, and former LOONA member Chuu.
But behind the brand’s rapid rise is a story of two young entrepreneurs who almost gave up before their business had the chance to succeed.
How Dododots Started With RM15,000 And A Simple Idea
Long before becoming the co-founder, CEO and CMO of Dododots, Esther Erin knew how emotionally difficult acne could be.
Despite studying Medical Biotechnology and later working as a medical diagnostic scientist and COVID-19 laboratory frontliner, she struggled with severe acne for years. Like many people, she tried medication, skincare products and heavy makeup, but eventually realised none of them addressed the emotional burden that came with every breakout.
“I realised that my way of coping with acne was either through more pills or more makeup. It was kind of toxic for my mental health,” she once shared.
As a teenager, Esther often placed cute stickers over ordinary acne patches because they made her feel happier whenever she had a breakout. That simple habit stayed with her for years.
Later, while working at a marketing agency, she met Ethan Wong. The pair shared more than a passion for branding.
They had both experienced severe acne growing up and understood how much it could affect confidence.
Working on campaigns for other companies sparked an idea.
If they could build successful brands for clients, why not build one of their own?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, after speaking to hundreds of people, they discovered a common frustration. Transparent acne patches often turned white after absorbing fluids, making pimples even more noticeable.
Instead of creating another skincare product promising flawless skin, they wanted to create something that helped people feel comfortable in their own skin.
Towards the end of 2021, Esther and Ethan invested RM15,000 of their own savings to launch Dododots while continuing to work full-time.
Using hydrocolloid, the same material found in medical wound dressings, they introduced Malaysia’s first fully coloured acne patches, featuring playful hearts, butterflies, flowers and stars.
Every new design was inspired by feedback from their growing community, giving customers a sense of ownership in the brand.
The Turning Point That Changed Everything
Starting Dododots was far from easy.
Both founders spent more than 12 hours at their day jobs before returning home to pack orders, reply to customers and create content, often working well past midnight.
Just six months after launching, they were exhausted and seriously considered shutting the business down.
“Honestly speaking, six months later, we thought of calling it quits,” Esther admitted.
“We were so busy with our full-time jobs, there was no way we could juggle both. We were burning out. At midnight, we’d be packing orders. It just didn’t feel sustainable.”
Instead of walking away, they took the biggest risk of their careers.
After asking their employer if they could return should the business fail, both resigned in March 2022 and committed themselves fully to Dododots.
That decision changed everything.
The biggest breakthrough came in 2023, when Dododots launched its first vending machine at Sunway Pyramid. The eye-catching machine quickly attracted attention and became profitable within just three months.
Around the same time, a TikTok video showing the founders restocking the vending machine after the mall had closed unexpectedly went viral, attracting 4.5 million views.
Rather than relying on expensive advertising, Dododots built its reputation through authentic storytelling, creative product launches and strong community engagement. Limited-edition collections regularly sold out, while customers proudly matched the colourful patches with their outfits and shared them across social media.
Dododots: From A Malaysian Start-Up To A Global Brand
Today, Dododots is available in 22 countries and continues expanding into new international markets.
Despite its rapid growth, the founders have remained disciplined.
While many beauty brands quickly expand into cleansers, serums and cosmetics, Dododots has deliberately stayed focused on acne patches.
“We’ve stuck to just pimple patches,” Ethan said. “We’re not riding trends or chasing easy revenue.”
The founders have also chosen to remain self-funded, despite receiving interest from investors.
“We’re not ready for it yet,” Esther explained. “Once you take on investment, the pressure changes.”
That independence has allowed the company to continue innovating on its own terms while building a brand centred on creativity, inclusivity and self-acceptance.
For Esther, the company’s biggest achievement is not simply expanding into more countries.
It is helping people realise they don’t have to wait for perfect skin before feeling good about themselves.
What began as one woman’s struggle with acne has grown into Dododots, a globally recognised Malaysian beauty brand proving that some of the world’s best business ideas begin by solving a deeply personal problem.
Sources: 1| 2| 3| 4
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