When you want change, sometimes, you have to grab the bull by the horns and take care of it yourself and that‘s exactly what Esi Eggleston-Bracey and Sarah Irby, industry leaders and pioneers at Unilever and the visionaries of MELĒ did when they called out the lack of skincare for melanin women. Not only did the brand’s focus start with a collection of melanin-rich products designed by dermatologists of color, but MELĒ also created a skin diagnostic that will help you understand your skin needs and solutions.
The change doesn’t stop there. In fact, MELĒ is demanding equity in skincare. They have started a petition for systemic change to elevate the service and education of melanin-rich skin within the professional skincare industry. Find out all you need to know about this melanin skincare collection, the NO SHADE Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum in the May Box, and how you can sign the petition at www.melebeautiful.com and demand equity in skincare.
How did MELĒ get its start?
In the summer of 2018, Esi Eggleston-Bracey and Sarah Irby, two Black female executives and beauty industry pioneers, 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.
MELĒ 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, MELĒ is a brand that doesn’t just push product, but it pushes for change in the skincare industry. Because your shade of amazing deserves skincare that’s just as amazing.
We love the name MELĒ. What inspired the name of your brand?
MELĒ is derived from the word “melanin.” We wanted melanin in the brand name to directly speak to the shades we seek to serve in skincare, and after trying out variations of the word “melanin,” we ultimately landed on MELĒ.
How important is it to use sunscreen?
Melanin-rich skin has up to SPF 13 built in, making you less sensitive to photo-damage. But, don’t get it twisted. It doesn’t mean skin damage cannot occur. SPF is not cumulative, so you need a minimum of SPF 30 for full protection. Without it, the effects of damaging UV exposure can accumulate over time and leave sun and age spots. So, pull out a broad-spectrum SPF daily - to keep that glow fresh and strong.
What do the SPF numbers mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This is the industry standard measure of efficacy in blocking UVB rays. The rating is an inversely proportional rating to the actual percentage of UVB that is blocked – meaning an SPF30 product blocks 96.7% of UVB ray. It is important to note that to provide full protection from both UVB and UVA rays, broad spectrum sunscreen, like our MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum, should be applied throughout the day.
What does broad spectrum mean?
Broad spectrum refers to UVA and UVB protection. While UVB rays are the “burning rays” that trigger the sensation of a sunburn, UVA rays are often called the “aging” rays – penetrating deeper into the skin, contributing to the generation of fine lines & wrinkles, attacking collagen, and triggering dark spots & uneven skin tone
How does MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum guard against harmful UV damage?
Our SPF 30 Oil contains two chemicals, organic sunscreens that absorb the UV rays from the sun and dissipates that energy into heat, effectively neutralizing the UV from harming the skin.
What are the key ingredients in your MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Oil?
Key Ingredients: 3% Avobenzone AND 7.49% Octinoxate.
What are the benefits of these key ingredients?
These are safe, chemical sunscreens that unlike physical sunscreens, do not leave any white residue behind.
How often should you use MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil?
For best results, apply this sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every 2 hours.
Do you still need to use a moisturizer with MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum?
Our SPF 30 oil has skin nourishing ingredients however, for total skin care, we recommend to pair up with a daily moisturizer, such as our PLUMP IT UP Nourishing Cream.
When and how should you incorporate No Shade Sunscreen into your skincare routine?
Sunscreen protects the skin. It should be the last step in your daytime skincare process. Apply it after the skin is properly refreshed with a cleanser and toner such as Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Gel & EVEN Tone Post Cleanse Tonic. If you have special melanin-rich skincare concerns such as hyperpigmentation and/or enlarged pores, NO SHADE Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum would follow the application of any enhancement products such as Even Dark Spot Control Serum & Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
You should also apply our SPF 30 oil 15 minutes before exposure to the sun and reapply every two hours for consistent coverage.
Will this sunscreen leave your skin oily or greasy?
MELĒ NO SHADE Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum provides daily, non-greasy SPF 30 protection from the sun and environmental aggressors. This sheer oil is non-greasy, lightweight and fast absorbing, so you can enjoy your day immediately.
Is MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum good for all skin types?
Yes, our products are designed to be used by all shades of melanin-rich skin.
Talk to us about your 3 Step system?
- Step 1: Refresh - MELE Cleansers and Toners that refresh and refine skin tone Gentle Hydrating Cleansing Gel & EVEN Tone Post Cleanse Tonic
- Step 2: Enhance - The heroes of our brand, they target the core concerns of melanated skin Even Dark Spot Control Serum & Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
- Step 3: Protect - Moisturizers and SPF products that rebalance and protect, leaving skin evenly hydrated NO SHADE Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum, DEW THE MOST Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen & PLUMP IT UP Nourishing Cream
How can women find out which MELÉ products are good for their skin type?
CLICK HERE and take our Skin Diagnostic to help you understand your skin's unique profile, needs and the solutions that are best for you.
How do any of these products complement the No Shade Sunscreen Oil?
Each of our MELĒ products deliver unique and purposeful benefits, designed for melanin-rich skin. Our cleanser and tonic are designed to refresh your skin and maintain healthy skin renewal. Our Nourishing cream is a great everyday moisturizer and for those trouble dark spots, our Even Tone Serum delivers by gently fading dark spots. It is recommended to follow-up use of our Tonic and Even Tone serum with our SPF products, when applied during the daytime.
What are your hero products?
MELĒ’s award winning Even Dark Spot Control Serum and Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum target the core concerns of melanin-rich skin.
What’s next for MELĒ?
MELĒ is on a mission to empower the melanin-rich community, not only with products, but by celebrating melanin-rich skin and creating equity in the service and treatment of melanin-rich skin by facilitating inclusive training of skincare professionals and specialists – and that’s just the start.
Each of our subscribers who get the May Box will receive a full-size MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum. What would you like them to know?
We believe in giving melanin-rich skin options when it comes to skincare and sun protection, and so, we developed our lightweight, fast-absorbing SPF oil that provides all the protection without the annoying white cast. Pro tip: we love to use the No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF all over the face, neck and chest to give the skin a glowy, healthy look – perfect for summertime!
We understand that you have a new initiative and we applaud you for your efforts. Please let our COCOBelles know about MELĒ’s Agenda for Systemic Change and what inspired this agenda.
For MELĒ, product and purpose go hand-in-hand. So, driving meaningful change in the skincare industry is a key business objective. MELĒ was born from the unique belief that melanin-rich skin should always be a priority, and never an afterthought. Because your shade of amazing deserves skincare that’s just as amazing. So, in partnership with a coalition of leading dermatologists, estheticians, and scientists we are committed to setting a higher standard of care for melanin-rich skin with scientifically formulated products and a purpose driven mission centered around (non-medical) curriculum, training and advocacy.
What would you like to see change in the skincare industry?
Science proves that skin of color has unique properties and differences even down to the cellular level. However, these facts continue to be overlooked in the development of most skincare products that take a one size fits all approach. And it is the lack of attention to the unique needs of Black and Brown skin in the industry that led to the creation of MELĒ. We know that our nation’s population is more diverse than ever before. So, more science led, quality, diverse skincare products are needed that cater to the special needs of our beautiful melanated skin.
What are your goals for this petition?
It's time to change the standard of melanated skincare training in cosmetology and esthetician training schools nationwide. Schools and training programs should focus on increasing the pipeline of skincare practitioners and estheticians certified in melanin-rich skin care. It is imperative that we come together, promote, and support opportunities for equality, diversity, inclusion in skincare education and training. Our Petition goals are as follows:
- Implementing specific, high-quality training on melanin-rich skin as a core part of the curriculum in esthetician & cosmetology schools.
- Raising the bar for state licensing by establishing new certification requirements and minimum practitioner hours of melanin-rich skin training.
How can people help with this cause and spread the word?
Join us in creating real change that will impact the quality of professional skincare for melanin-rich skin. We are asking everyone to SIGN THE PETITION: PUT YOUR SKIN IN THE GAME at http://www.melebeautiful.com
How has this agenda been received by others?
So far it has been very well received by our purpose partners. We’re bringing together industry organizations/associations, policymakers, skincare professionals (dermatologists and estheticians), industry professionals, and other influential leaders to form an alliance that will drive the inclusion of melanin-rich focused (non-medical) skincare education, training and services.
What’s next after the first 10,000 signatures?
It is important that the skincare industry, inclusive of esthetics, cosmetology and product development, sees the collective power, engagement and action around this purpose driven advocacy. We will continue to build upon signatures in support of our 40,000-year-end goal.
Where can we find more information on MELĒ’s Agenda for Systemic Change?
http://www.melebeautiful.com and share the petition link with family and friends. Let’s be the change we want to see.
While supplies last you can get the May Box that includes a full size MELĒ No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum + 7 other summer skin products In our Shop without a subscription for just $25 + shipping.
To keep up with MELĒ you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.