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Topicals develops science-backed skincare products specifically designed to address chronic skin conditions and flare-ups. The company creates clinically effective, multi-tasking solutions formulated to work across all skin tones, prioritizing efficacy for deeper complexions. Their approach emphasizes simplifying skincare routines with accessible, results-driven products.
Topicals was co-founded by Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, launching in 2020. The founders identified a significant gap for skincare products genuinely catering to diverse individuals with chronic skin concerns, especially those with melanin-rich skin. Their insight centered on building an inclusive brand focused on efficacy from the very beginning.
The company serves a broad customer base seeking effective, inclusive solutions for various skin conditions. Topicals is committed to making healthy skin attainable for everyone, positioning clinical-grade skincare as a right, not a luxury. The brand also integrates mental health advocacy, striving to destigmatize discussions around skin conditions and their impact on well-being.
Topicals has raised $13.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Topicals has raised $13.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Topicals has raised $13.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series A in November 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2022 | $10M Series A | Jenna Jackson | Bozoma Saint John, Gabrielle Union, Hannah Bronfman, Kelly Rowland, Yvonne Orji, Marcy Venture Partners | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2020 | $3M Seed | — | Divergent Capital, Jenny Fielding, Scott Hartley, GSV Acceleration, Daniel Rosensweig | Announced |
Topicals has raised $13.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Topicals's investors include Jenna Jackson, Bozoma Saint John, Gabrielle Union, Hannah Bronfman, Kelly Rowland, Yvonne Orji, Marcy Venture Partners, Divergent Capital, Jenny Fielding, Scott Hartley, GSV Acceleration, Daniel Rosensweig.
Topicals is a skincare company that develops science-backed products targeting chronic skin conditions like eczema, hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, dry skin, discoloration, and ingrown hairs.[1][3][4] Its portfolio includes moisturizers, serums (e.g., Faded for hyperpigmentation), balms, leave-in conditioners, eye patches, tinted lip balms, and cleansing bars, sold primarily direct-to-consumer via its e-commerce site and through retailers like Sephora, serving a diverse audience seeking effective, inclusive personal care solutions without prescriptions.[1][2][3][4] The brand solves the problem of undertreated chronic skin issues by combining clinical efficacy with mental health advocacy, donating to related organizations, while generating around $10M in revenue and raising $22.6M total funding (latest: $10M Series A-II in March 2024).[1][2][3] With 51-200 employees in Santa Monica, California, Topicals shows strong growth through product expansions and high-replenishment items like its leave-in conditioner, which drives nearly half of DTC revenue.[1][2]
Topicals was founded in 2018 by Olamide Olowe, a 26-year-old Black female entrepreneur who became the youngest Black woman to raise $10M in venture funding, alongside co-founder Claudia Teng, driven by personal struggles with chronic skin conditions overlooked by traditional medicine and media portrayals of "perfect" skin.[1][3][5] Olowe's experiences with issues like eczema and hyperpigmentation, compounded by a lack of accessible, stigma-free solutions, sparked the idea to create efficacious products that destigmatize these conditions while prioritizing mental health.[1][3][5] Early traction came from hits like the Faded serum and eye masks, boosted by celebrity endorsements and retail partnerships; pivotal moments include securing $12.6M in funding and launching scent iterations and collaborations, such as the 2023 Palo Santo conditioner variant and a limited Billionaire Boys Club eye mask drop.[1][2][3][4]
Topicals rides the wave of DTC beauty tech and personalized wellness, capitalizing on e-commerce platforms to democratize access to science-driven skincare amid rising demand for inclusive, condition-focused products post-pandemic.[1][2][4] Timing aligns with consumer shifts toward mental health-linked self-care and clean beauty, fueled by social media destigmatization of flaws like hyperpigmentation—a market gap for non-prescription solutions amid inflation-pressured retail.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering Black-founder success in venture (e.g., record funding), inspiring diverse entrepreneurship, and blending physical products with digital advocacy to expand beauty's scope beyond aesthetics into holistic health.[2][3]
Topicals is poised for accelerated scaling via retail expansions, international DTC growth, and category extensions like color cosmetics, building on its $10M+ revenue and fresh funding to hit broader markets.[1][2] Trends like AI-personalized skincare, sustainability mandates, and Gen Z's mental health focus will propel it, potentially evolving into a full wellness platform with tech integrations for routine tracking. As a trailblazer in inclusive beauty, its influence could reshape venture norms for underrepresented founders, amplifying science-backed innovation in a $500B+ global skincare arena—transforming "flare-ups" into empowered routines.
