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It started withMean Girls.
Bella Geraci
“Our whole goal is, how do we help people transform the way they feel about skin?”
says Topicals cofounder Olamide Olowe, 24, who has hadhyperpigmentation, pseudofolliculitis, and skin inflammation issues.
The brand’s tagline?
Courtesy brand
“Funner Flare-ups.”
“We are a fragrance-free brand because we cater to sensitive skin.
“Because we’re a small team, we were able to iterate quickly on formula.
We take consumer feedback seriously.”
“People ask you if your rash is contagious.”
Topicals' products then sold out multiple times on nordstrom.com, and the shop was extended through the holidays.
This early hustle has been emblematic of the drive Olowe and Teng have had since they were teenagers.
Both were premed students with an interest in dermatology because of their own issues with chronic skin problems.
Teng had experience working in clinical dermatology research.
Armed with interest, knowledge, and experience, next they needed money.
(Especially women of color Teng is Asian American and Olowe is Black.)
Olowe pitched Topicals for two years before they found enough capital to launch.
Olowe is proud that she has so many women, particularly Black women, as financial backers.
Another potential investor Olowe met told her that her name was “weird.”
These were learning experiences that cemented the founders resolve.
I think there are a lot of people who missed out because of their bias.”
She adds, “That’s on them, not on me.”
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