Topicals launched with a waiting list and $2.6 million in VC funding and the participation of several high-profile Black women, including Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John, entrepreneur and DJ Hannah Bronfman, and the Emmy-nominated stars of the hit show Insecure Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji.

WHO: After battling personal skincare conditions, two 23-year-old former pre-med students, Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, teamed up to create a skincare brand tackling chronic skin conditions with a Gen Z sensibility. The brand launched with two products: Like Butter, a hydrating mask for dry, distressed, and eczema-prone skin, and Faded, a serum for discoloration and dark spots. The brand will be available through October at Pop-In@Nordstrom inside select Nordstrom doors, online at Nordstrom.com, and on the brand’s website.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “This is an industry that has not evolved and has used many of the same formulations over the last 30 years,” says Olamide Olowe, Topicals CEO and co-founder. “Having lived with a serious skin condition myself, I found there were limited treatment options available, and none of the brands looked like me. I could use an over-the-counter product that didn’t address my specific needs as a Black woman with darker skin, or spend thousands on pricey prescriptions. With all of the amazing beauty products out there, I still didn’t find one that helped me with my flare-ups. I knew we could do better.”

“With my background in clinical research and dermatology, I saw firsthand the lack of access to care that existed for these types of skin conditions,” says Claudia Teng, Topicals Chief Product Officer and co-founder. “For me, I knew there was a serious opportunity to create something affordable, and that not only educated a broad amount of people, but also made their treatment experience more enjoyable. Our mission is to make chronic skincare management synonymous with the fun and luxury of self-care, taking the focus off of perfect skin and helping our community have funner flare-ups.”

Olowe told Beauty Independent the fundraise for Topicals was a two-year process, saying, “It’s not an overnight success by any means. It’s been a lot of no, and, over the last month, there’s been just an avalanche of yes.”

DETAILS:

• Topicals raised $2.6 million over three rounds of funding.
• Among the supporters and investors in Topicals are several high-profile Black women, including Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John, entrepreneur and DJ Hannah Bronfman, and the Emmy-nominated stars of the hit show Insecure Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji. The initial investment round, led by Lerer Hippeau, also saw participation from Humble Lukanga and Mucker Capital as well as the CEOs of Warby Parker, Allbirds, Casper, Harry’s, Bombas, and Red Antler.
• Last year the brand raised $600,000 from Dorm Room Fund, Rough Draft Ventures, Mucker Capital, and angel investors in two raises last year.
• Topicals launched with a 10,000-plus email newsletter base, more than 6,000 followers on Twitter, and nearly 3,100 followers on Instagram.
• Topicals will be donating 1 percent of profits to various mental health organizations. Leading up to the launch they donated more than $10,000 to Sad Girls Club, Therapy for Black Girls, and Fearless Femme 100, and are partnering with the JED Foundation.