When Olamide Olowe launched Topicals in late 2019, she was only 24 years old. Yet despite her youth, Olowe possessed a bold vision: to create the first skincare brand devoted entirely to treating chronic skin conditions.
Having struggled firsthand with eczema and hyperpigmentation, Olowe intimately understood the emotional toll of skin issues. She dreamed of an uplifting, even fun brand catering to individuals traditionally overlooked by the beauty industry.
Topicals took off swiftly, thanks to Olowe’s infectious positivity and relatable social media presence. Leveraging TikTok and Instagram, she built an authentic community around promoting skincare confidence.
After experiencing waiting lists of 40,000 customers, Olowe knew Topicals could make an even bigger impact with more resources. She raised an impressive $2 million in seed funding despite having no prior entrepreneurial experience.
Not stopping there, in 2021 Olowe secured an additional $10 million just two years into operations. By age 25, her viral skincare brand had attracted over $14 million in funding.
Olowe is now positioned to spread Topicals’ message of skincare acceptance globally. Thanks to strategic partnerships and plans to expand into new markets, the company’s uplifting products seem destined for people’s shelves worldwide.
Yet she remains committed to keeping Topicals indie, fresh and accessible – much like its still-young founder. For Olowe, this is just the start of a life-long mission to transform the societal conversation around skin conditions.