Topicals

A note from our Creative Director, Julia Shao: “Creative work at Topicals is no easy feat, but what keeps us inspired around the clock are the stories we share across our team, our talent and the creatives we collaborate with. When we landed on Papaya as the next shade of Slick Salve, I was drawn to the many ways it shows up in Asian culture. Something as simple as a fruit can carry tradition, spark memory and create connection across the diaspora.”

Breaking the Breakout Cycle: A New Era in Acne Care Growing up, many of us were told to dry out our breakouts, whether it was toothpaste on zits or alcohol-based treatments. But that approach often led to more irritation, more breakouts and a compromised skin barrier. So we decided to go in a different direction. Enter Clearly Mist & Mask: our new two-step routine for breakouts. Clearly was designed as a counter-culture acne solution: one that soothes while it treats, hydrates while it heals and supports the skin barrier from the start. Clearly Mist’s one-of-a-kind tri-acid blend clears acne-prone skin while preventing future breakouts + our award-winning Clearly mask reduces inflammation whilst leaving the skin soft. This 360º approach isn’t just about clearer skin today — it’s about healthier skin for the long run. To learn more about Clearly, visit mytopicals.com/clearly. #SkincareInnovation #AcneCare #Topicals #FaceCardClears

Let’s talk Lip Balm. Lately, there’s been a wave of reports across the beauty industry: people are experiencing allergic reactions to lip balms and lip oils from a range of brands. This isn’t isolated and we’re paying close attention. This includes our own product — Slick Salve in Mint. While allergic reactions (particularly on the lips) can triggered by sensitivities to various ingredients and environmental factors, we are taking the following steps to support anyone who has recently experienced this. We are: - Sending out free Emergency Lip Kits to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to any product, from any brand - Offering a refund to customers who have experienced allergic reactions when purchasing from mytopicals.com - Developing a flavorless version of Slick Salve and updating our Slick Salve Mint formulation to reduce the probability of future reactions. Note: reactions to Slick Salve Açai are extremely rare due to the pigment load and mint-free formulation New York Esthetician & Topicals Expert, Tiara Willis explains more: #Topicals #SlickSalve

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we're reflecting on the ways mental health is woven into our everyday lives and how we’re all in this together. Last year, we donated $50K to 7 incredible partners through our Mental Health Fund. This year, our goal is to double that to $100K because we know that wider access to mental health support is critical. At Topicals, we recognize the deep connection between skin and mental health. It’s not just stress causing your acne and eczema flare-ups, it’s also those flare-ups causing more stress. When we’re in tough times, we lean on our community and community can mean so many different things to each of us. It's not just a buzzword; it’s the people, spaces and shared moments that help us heal and grow. So this month, we asked our community: “what does community mean to you, and how does yours show up for you?” #ItsMental #MHAM #TopicalsMentalHealthFund

At Topicals, we're not just redefining skincare — we’re shaping culture through science, education, and community. Our Topicals Experts Program is at the heart of this mission: a commitment to equip 10,000 skincare professionals with the tools and knowledge to effectively treat skin of color by 2026. The momentum has been electric: → At AAD, our booth drew over 1,000 dermatologists, residents, and medical students — so many that security temporarily shut us down as a fire hazard 🔥 → Weeks later, at IECSC, we connected with over 1,000+ beauty professionals, continuing the dialogue about inclusive, clinically proven skincare solutions. → We brought a select group of skincare experts together for an intimate dinner previewing our latest innovation: Faded Serum Unscented, an odorless version of our hero serum crafted specifically to work for all skin types and tones. Each moment of connection has deepened our understanding of what our community needs, strengthening our commitment to education, inclusivity, and innovation. At Topicals, culture and clinical efficacy aren't separate—they're inseparable. #TopicalsExperts #InclusiveSkincare #ScienceBacked #AAD #IECSC #FadedUnscented #SkincareEducation

Faded Reform isn’t just a new formula — it’s a reflection of our values. As part of the launch, we donated a portion of April sales to Operation Restoration and the Council on Criminal Justice’s Women’s Justice Commission — two organizations working to improve outcomes for women affected by the justice system. At Topicals, we believe that restoration — whether of skin or systems — starts with care, context and community. Women impacted by the justice system face unique barriers that are often overlooked, including: - Higher rates of trauma: Many incarcerated women have experienced abuse and other forms of trauma. - Greater mental health needs: They report higher rates of mental health and substance use disorders than men. - Harsher punishments: Women in prison are more likely to be disciplined for minor infractions. (Source: [Council on Criminal Justice - https://lnkd.in/gzxZ_FuD) One woman working to change that is Syrita Steib, founder of Operation Restoration. After being denied college admission because of her criminal record — despite earning a 3.8 GPA while incarcerated — Syrita didn’t give up. She reapplied, graduated, and went on to build an organization that helps justice-impacted women re-enter society with dignity and support. Thanks to her advocacy, colleges in Louisiana are now banned from asking about criminal history on applications. We’re proud to support Syrita’s work and share her story. Because fading dark spots shouldn’t mean fading into the background. #FadedReform #Topicals #OperationRestoration #SkincareWithPurpose

We’re honored to be recognized by the Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards 2025. Three of our standout products have been nominated across three categories: Faded Serum – Best Dark Spot Corrector High Roller Tonic – Best Hall of Fame Bodycare Product Slather – Best Treatment for Body Acne These nominations reflect the dedication of our team and the incredible support of our community. We're proud to create products that deliver real results — and grateful to see them celebrated on this platform. Voting is now open and closes June 1. If our products have made a difference in your routine, we’d appreciate your vote: https://lnkd.in/g3HNqhbm #CosmoBeautyAwards #Skincare #Topicals #FadedSerum #HighRoller #Slather

Topicals x SLS: The Brand Trip for Everyone From island hopping in Bermuda to Detty December in Nigeria, we're on a mission to redefine what it means to experience a brand. This time, we brought that vision to the slopes and made it bigger than ever. In April, we partnered with Soft Life Ski (SLS), Europe's leading Afro-Caribbean snow sports and music festival, to bring our signature brand trip experience to 1,000 attendees. From pre-trip drops to on-site gifting to post-trip surprises, attendees got the complete Topicals treatment. We hosted a contest for our broader community, offering two coveted spots on the guest list to contest winners and another two spots to active members of our TYB community. Though they've become an essential tool for brands to establish themselves, brand trips are still a luxury — not just for the destinations, but for the access, community and visibility they offer. But that access shouldn't be gatekept. While brand trips typically deepen existing connections, our partnership with Soft Life Ski was intentionally different. Offering a unique opportunity to introduce Topicals to an entirely new audience in an unforgettable way. From curated moments on the slopes to chats back at the chalet, our community-led activation leave lasting impressions. Whether on the slopes or in the streets, we're curating moments that don't just show up for culture — they help shape it. #Topicals #BrandTrips #SoftLifeSki

The Faded By Any Means launch for the Unscented version of Faded Serum was inspired by the cult classic Belly — because we know our community loves iconic Black films that shaped culture. Shot on 35mm film, this project was a love letter to those gritty, cinematic visuals that feel like home. #Topicals #FadedByAnyMeans #BlackCinema #CultureDriven #SkincareForUs #35mmFilm