Olamide Olowe is revolutionising the skincare industry by creating science-backed, inclusive products that centre on women of colour with chronic skin conditions while also supporting mental health and representation.
The skincare industry hasn’t always been inclusive. Many argue it was never really built with everyone in mind, especially not those with darker skin tones or chronic skin conditions. For many women of colour with sensitive skin, this meant dealing with insecurities and isolation during those moments when they’d rather stay home than face the world because their skin won’t “behave.”
Olamide Olowe saw that gap and ran straight through it. Having battled chronic skin conditions like boils, ingrown hairs, and flare-ups that leave both physical marks and emotional scars, the innovator identified what was lacking. She transformed it into a megaphone rather than allowing that experience to diminish her voice. She launched Topicals, a skincare brand that boldly centres around women of colour living with skin concerns.
At just 23, she made history as the youngest Black woman to raise over $2 million in venture capital. By 2024, that number had grown to $22.6 million, with backing from major players like CAVU Consumer Partners.
Olowe’s inclusive skincare brand
In 2020, while many of us were perfecting banana bread recipes and riding out lockdown in pyjamas, Olowe was building a brand. Her brainchild, Topicals, is a science-backed skincare line rooted in psychodermatology (the study of how skin and mental health intersect). By March 2021, Topicals had become Sephora’s fastest-growing skincare brand—products sold out within 48 hours. By 2022, they were flying off shelves at a rate of per minute.
Topical products are loaded with science-backed ingredients approved by dermatologists. They feature niacinamide to soothe inflammation, azelaic acid to diminish pigmentation, hyaluronic acid for intense hydration, and powerful antioxidants to protect the skin barrier. Their branding is joyful, playful, and inspired by early internet culture, utilising memes, short films, and Twitter threads to educate and entertain.
Olowe’s impact, recognition
Topicals go beyond treating what’s on the surface and attempt to heal the soul. The brand is unapologetically inclusive, openly discussing eczema, hyperpigmentation, and psoriasis. In doing so, it validates the experiences of people that the beauty industry has long overlooked. It’s no wonder that Topicals has become the go-to for Gen Z, science enthusiasts, and anyone tired of chasing unattainable beauty ideals.
The female founder has been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and is widely praised for transforming chronic skincare into its category. Her brand Topicals also runs programmes ranging from scholarships to community wellness events, ensuring its impact ripples beyond beauty counters.
They donate 1% of their profits to mental health organisations and have contributed over $150,000 to groups like Therapy for Black Girls and The JED Foundation. Additionally, they allow customers to donate at checkout.
