Gaming meets skincare: L’Oréal Men Expert launches SKIN DEFENSE Fortnite experience with BUILD A ROCKET

Cologne, April 22nd – BUILD A ROCKET and L’Oréal Men Expert have teamed up to launch DERMA CONTROL: SKIN DEFENSE in Fortnite—a branded virtual world experience that puts skincare at the heart of gameplay. Designed to engage younger male audiences, the activation brings the Derma Control product line directly into a space where this target group spends time every day: Fortnite, with over 30 million active players.

At the center of the experience is a custom-built tower defense mode where players protect a high-tech L’Oréal Men Expert lab from waves of enemies. The twist? The defensive gadgets resemble actual Derma Control products—turning the brand’s core benefits into tangible game mechanics and integrating them seamlessly into the familiar Fortnite experience.

"Gaming is one of the most powerful cultural forces when it comes to how younger generations engage with brands. Together with BUILD A ROCKET, we’ve created an experience where our Derma Control products become part of the game – as tools that are actively used in gameplay. It’s a form of brand storytelling that feels native to the platform and truly resonates with the target audience. Combined with creator support, DERMA CONTROL: SKIN DEFENSE becomes a brand experience that has an impact far beyond the game itself," says Sebastian Schlett, Brand Business Leader L’Oréal Men Expert.

With 63 percent of Fortnite’s player base between the ages of 18 and 24—and approximately 90 percent identifying as male—the platform offers an ideal environment for L’Oréal Men Expert to build authentic and engaging brand touchpoints.

“SKIN DEFENSE is about creating meaningful presence in one of the most dynamic digital spaces for younger audiences”, says Alexander Albrecht, Managing Director at BUILD A ROCKET. “Virtual world activations allow brands to go beyond visibility—to be part of the culture, with experiences that invite interaction and creativity.”

Part of the campaign was a Twitch event on April 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM, where four German streamers faced off against four British streamers. Among them: Eligella (Elias Nerlich), Niklas Wilson, Eldos, Vadeal, Josh Samsoj, Tom Ferguson, Ailbhe Lower, and Arki Technology.

“We played the DERMA CONTROL: SKIN DEFENSE map by L'Oréal Men Expert live on stream – perfect for a varied Fortnite challenge. It’s fast-paced, tactical, and a lot of fun as a team!” says Elias Nerlich, one of Europe’s biggest Twitch streamers.

Where gameplay meets brand experience
Beyond the core defense mechanic, SKIN DEFENSE rewards players for strategic resource management and smart upgrades—keeping the gameplay loop fresh and engaging. A companion microsite invites players to share high scores and their favourite  in-game moments, with top performances rewarded via exclusive L’Oréal Men Expert surprise boxes.

The DERMA CONTROL: SKIN DEFENSE experience is available long-term on Fortnite. The experience was developed by Mapshot, concepted and executed by BUILD A ROCKET, and brokered by SPORTFIVE.