Olay Principal Scientist Dr. Ro On Black Representation In Skincare
Olay’s Skincare Innovation For Black Women Starts In The Lab With Black Scientists Like Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson [Exclusive]
Black may not crack, but it doesn’t mean that proper skincare is not a must!
When it comes to enhancing skin health for Black women through product innovation, Olay goes beyond its products with its representation and support for Black women within the STEM field.
For example, Olay Principal Scientist and Senior Director Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson (aka Dr. Ro) plays a vital role in ensuring that women who look like her not only have access to the tools they need to take care of their skin, but are also able to utilize resources to understand the importance of skincare within the Black community.
“At Olay, representation goes beyond selecting faces for campaigns. It’s about understanding the unique skin needs across all skin tones and investing in research and technology to offer science-backed products for each woman’s specific needs,” Dr. Wilkerson tells MadameNoire. “For 70 years, our legacy has been built on superior science and a commitment to innovation. Through our Multi-Decade Ethnicity study, we deepened our understanding of how melanin-rich skin ages and infused those insights directly into our product development.”
RELATED CONTENT: Tennis Player Naomi Osaka Announces Skincare Line And Swimwear Collection
“Olay’s intentional focus on results that work for all women, including and especially the unique needs of melanin-rich skin, has made us a family beauty secret for generations in Black households,” she adds. “As a Black scientist, I am one of many in Olay’s research and development’s team history, who have played a vital role in shaping the brand’s legacy, ensuring that innovation, inclusivity and efficacy remain at the heart of everything we do.”
As the world of skincare continues to evolve, Black women are becoming more conscious of the ingredients that they put on their skin. This is why Olay works to ensure that the formula in products like its Olay Super Cream with SPF 30 maintains formulas that are both highly effective and safe for melanin-rich skin.
“Hydration and sun protection are key no matter your skin tone! Melanin-rich skin is still at risk of UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging,g so it is important to maintain healthy skin habits by using the proper products. Olay Super Cream’s unique 5-in-1 formula delivers long-lasting hydration with key actives like hyaluronic acid and collagen peptide,” Dr. Wilkerson explains. “In fact, 96% of consumers in our study said Super Cream left their skin feeling hydrated. The formula also contains Broad Spectrum SPF 30 that provides non-greasy UVA/UVB sun protection without leaving a white cast. It’s an effortless way to keep your routine simple, effective, and protective.”
She adds, “Super Cream was developed with all skin types in mind and is formulated with safe ingredients. To test the efficacy of our products, Super Cream was tested in blinded studies with a diverse group of panelists with varying skin tones. The 12-week clinical study demonstrated Super Cream’s efficacy across a diverse group of women, including those with melanin-rich skin.”
When looking toward the future of healthy skincare practices for Black women, Dr. Wilkerson is most excited about the way that research continues to uncover surprising new solutions for things that are unique and/or specific to Black women and that they love the skin they’re in.
“Science enables us to optimize unexpected ingredient combinations that normally don’t play well together, to make formulations that are effective and safe for daily use,” she says. “I’m excited by how imaging technologies and skin testing methods have evolved, allowing us to measure changes beneath the skin even before visible concerns arise. This paves the way for more proactive care of the skin, which is important in ever-changing environments, habits and practices, and life stages. I’m especially excited that these solutions and technologies are being developed to meet the various skin needs across skin tones.
“Olay anticipates the evolving skin care needs of our consumers across diverse skin tones by consistently engaging with them and identifying shifting preferences and demands,” Dr. Wilkerson concludes. “Olay remains committed to listening to and learning from Black consumers to ensure our products continue to meet their needs at every step of their skin care journey.”
RELATED CONTENT: 29 Black Women-Owned Makeup Brands To Support Right Now
