For many South Africans with darker skin tones, skincare advice has long been shaped by a common misconception: that melanin provides enough protection against the sun to minimise the need for specialised skincare. While melanin does offer some natural defence against UV radiation, dermatological research continues to show that skin of colour remains vulnerable to pigmentation disorders, photoaging, inflammation and long-term sun damage.
Now, dermatologist-developed skincare brand Dermopal is challenging these assumptions through its latest campaign, “Made for Melanin. Made for You.”, an initiative designed to educate consumers about the unique needs of skin of colour while highlighting targeted skincare solutions developed specifically with these concerns in mind.
Although Dermopal has been trusted by generations of consumers, the science underpinning its formulations remains unfamiliar to many. Through this awareness campaign, the brand aims to bridge that knowledge gap and encourage a deeper understanding of how skin of colour responds to environmental stressors, UV exposure and inflammation.
Leading the conversation is Dr Leslie Nteta, creator of Dermopal, who recently unpacked the science behind pigmentation, skin barrier health and sun protection, helping attendees understand why specialised skincare is essential for maintaining healthy skin in diverse climates and conditions.
Creator of Dermopal, Dr Leslie Nteta.
“Highly pigmented skin has its own strengths, but it also has its own vulnerabilities, and unfortunately, many people only start paying real attention once the damage is already visible,” says Dr Nteta. “Concerns like pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark marks and premature ageing are often the result of daily exposure and ongoing inflammation over time. Protecting skin of colour is not about changing it. It is about understanding it well enough to care for it properly.”
According to Dr Nteta, one of the most overlooked realities of skin of colour is its heightened sensitivity to inflammation and environmental stressors. Conditions such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, uneven skin tone and persistent dark marks can often be more severe and difficult to treat without a consistent and appropriate skincare routine.
The campaign also seeks to redefine how consumers view sunscreen. While many people associate sunscreen solely with preventing sunburn, Dermopal emphasises that daily photoprotection plays a critical role in managing pigmentation, maintaining an even complexion and supporting long-term skin health.
“Many people still associate sunscreen only with preventing sunburn,” Dr Nteta explains. “But for skin of colour, daily photoprotection is also deeply connected to pigmentation management, maintaining an even complexion and protecting long-term skin health.”
Photo supplied.
To address these concerns, the skincare range focuses on two core priorities: prevention and correction. The Dermopal Moisturising Sunscreen SPF 30+ and SPF 50+ formulations provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection while supporting hydration and strengthening the skin barrier. Designed specifically for darker skin tones, the products are formulated to avoid the visible white cast often associated with traditional sunscreens, making them suitable for everyday use.
Complementing the sun protection range is Dermopal Blemish Cream, which works overnight using ingredients such as kojic acid and glycolic acid—widely recognised for their ability to improve skin renewal and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, melasma and post-inflammatory dark marks.
Importantly, Dermopal is careful not to position skin of colour as a problem requiring correction. Instead, the campaign centres on informed, respectful skincare that acknowledges the biological realities and specific experiences of diverse skin tones. In an industry where consumers with pigmented skin have often struggled to find products tailored to their needs, the brand believes representation and specialised formulation matter.
By combining accessible skincare education with targeted product innovation, Dermopal hopes to empower consumers to better understand their skin and make informed choices about their daily skincare routines.
As global awareness of skin health continues to grow, the brand sees an opportunity to move skin of colour from the margins of the skincare conversation to its very centre.
“Skin of colour deserves more than assumptions, generic care advice, or products never designed with it in mind,” concludes Dr Nteta. “People should not have to choose between protecting their skin and feeling seen by the products they use. This specialist facial care range was specifically created because South Africans with darker skin tones deserve focused care that understands them, respects them and was made specifically with their skincare needs in mind.”
Through “Made for Melanin. Made for You.”, Dermopal is not only promoting skincare products but also championing a more inclusive understanding of skin health—one that recognises the unique needs of skin of colour and places education, protection and empowerment at the heart of the conversation.