Unilever has announced the launch of Melé, a new melanin-focused skincare line. “Melé was born from the unique belief that melanin-rich skin should always be a priority, and never an afterthought. Backed by science and made with ingredients that nourish, enhance and protect the beauty of melanin-rich skin, Melé is a brand that doesn’t just push product, but pushes for change in the skincare industry.”
The idea behind the brand began in the summer of 2018 when Esi Eggleston-Bracey and Sarah Irby, beauty industry pioneers and leaders at Unilever, called out the lack of skincare specific to women of colour. “This kicked off a collaborative team of Unilever scientists, dermatologists of colour, and real people in the community to develop a brand to give melanin-rich skin the attention it deserves.”
Sarah Irby, Brand Director for Unilever North America explains, “Black and brown women are major consumers and enthusiasts of all aspects of beauty, yet there is a lack of science-based knowledge and skincare that put the beauty, concerns, and solutions of melanin-rich skin at the centre. So it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to bring my whole self to work, as a marketer and black woman, to drive this needed change. Leveraging the power of Unilever science, hand-in-hand with a collective of dermatologists and consumers of colour, we’ve co-developed a brand designed to give melanin-rich skin the attention it deserves.”
Products are formulated with a science-first approach, catering to the needs of melanin-rich skin — they address dark spots, uneven skin tone, moisture imbalance and sun damage, among other concerns. In addition, the collection is free from parabens, alcohol, mineral oil and sulphates, and is formulated without phthalates.
Melé dermatologist partner, Dr. Mona Gohara, explained its specific need in the marketplace, “From the beginning, there was a passion that drove the project which was rooted in need.” There was also an initiative to push this line forward by women of colour executives at Unilever, she added.
The brand also offers a skincare diagnostic on its site to help consumers choose the best regimen depending on their skincare goals. After consumers complete the questions, products from the Melé line are recommended accordingly to suit their skin type and needs.
“For dark spots and sun damage, Melé’s Even Dark Spot Control Serum includes non-hydroquinone ingredients such a retinoid derivatives and niacinamide, which work together to fade down spots,” Dr. Gohara explained. “There are also cosmetically elegant sunscreen formulations in the Dew the Most Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30 that blend beautifully into black and brown skin that are an essential part of the regimen,” she added.
Melé is currently available in North America, for more information visit their website www.meleskincare.com
