Our story
A vision 2 years in the making
Melanin-rich skin is beyond amazing. It ages slower. Wrinkles less. And it has its own unique needs.
In the summer of 2018, Esi Eggleston-Bracey and Sarah Irby, beauty industry pioneers and leaders at Unilever, called out the lack of skincare specific to women of color. This kicked off a collaborative team of Unilever scientists, dermatologists of color, and real people in the community to develop a brand to promote and protect the beauty of melanin-rich skin.
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, MELE is a brand that doesn’t just push product, but pushes for change in the skincare industry. Because your shade of amazing deserves skincare that’s just as amazing.
We are MELÉ. And we see you.
"Black and Brown women are major consumers and enthusiasts of all aspects of beauty, yet there is a lack of science-based knowledge and skin care in the market designed specifically for her. 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 color, we've co-developed a brand that puts the beauty, concerns, and solutions for melanin-rich skin at the center. We hope you enjoy it."
Sarah Irby (pictured right)
Brand Director, Unilever North America
“Melanin Magic. The data is clear — the world is browning, and there are more and more of us with melanin skin. In, fact 40% of Americans today are people of color, but there isn’t market research or quality products to take care of our melanin-rich skin needs. As the leader of Unilever’s Beauty & Personal Care business, this is why I was so excited to create Melé — a Skin Care line uniquely created for the magic of melanin skin. One of my pride and joys. I hope you love it as much as I do.”
Esi Eggleston-Bracey (pictured left)
COO Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever North America
Co-created with dermatologists of color
To create skincare that goes further, we had to go further. So we consulted the experts who specialize in skin of color…
- We teamed up with dermatologists of color and a team of Unilever scientists, meticulously studying the ins and outs of melanin — tackling everything from enhancing its youth boosting properties to toning down those dark spots.
- With their years of experience and expertise, the dermatologists guided us on what were the biggest skin concerns, needs, sensorial and optical requirements of skincare that was designed for melanin-rich skin. They have helped us to identify the unique needs of melanin-rich skin which are the foundation of our development process.
"MELÉ is truly addressing the unmet needs of my melanin-rich skin patients.“
Dr. Mona Gohara, Expertise in treating skin of color
“A long time coming. Very much needed.”
Dr. Laura Scott, Associate Director Skin of Color Division
"MELĒ addresses a lot of skin care concerns for black and brown skin while understanding the development of products that blend flawlessly with the many different hues of our beautiful skin tones."
Dr. DiAnne Davis, Board Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist
Our commitments
At MELĒ, we are committed to....
- Co-creating all our products with dermatologists of color and the melanin-rich community.
- Celebrating the beauty of all shades of amazing in every product, package and advertisement.
- Involving people of color in creative industries through the production of all brand messaging.
- Providing access to tools, expertise and knowledge focused exclusively on melanin-rich skin.
- Establishing a new standard of care, by initiating science-based training for skin care practitioners and driving equity in the treatment of melanated skin.
- Keeping it clean. We avoid parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sulfates, and alcohol.
