Tennis champion Naomi Osaka has served a blow for inclusive skin care with the launch of KINLÒ, a functional skin care brand formulated especially for people of colour.
Paying homage to the four-time Grand Slam winner's bicultural heritage, Osaka's debut into the beauty arena is named for the words 'kin' and 'lo', meaning 'gold' in Japanese and Haitian Creole respectively.
With a focus on 'clean' formulations, the brand features a variety of products skin and sun care products for the face and body that have been developed specifically to protect and rejuvenate melanin-rich skin tones, which have previously often been overlooked, according to Osaka.
The 23-year-old commented: “Through my personal experience and learnings, I have found that black, brown, and other melanated skin toned communities are often an afterthought in the discussion and research surrounding sun care, including being excluded from clinical studies on skin cancer.
“Additionally, there is a lack of sun protection products being made with melanated skin in mind.
“These points have all led me to create KINLÒ, a mission-first brand.”
Serving as CEO of the brand, Osaka has enlisted US-based dermatologist Dr Naana Boakye as Dermatology Director, who will work to ensure high-quality product formulations as well as prioritising education about skin cancer and skin protection in the black, brown and Asian Pacific communities.
Products include a mineral-based Active Golden Rays Sunscreen, Hydrating Eye Cream, Hydrating Golden Mist and Hydrating Lip Balm (from US$14.99), while the brand also plans to expand its skin care range in the future with products focused on protection and recovery from the sun and blue light.
Consumers can shop the range exclusively online at kinlo.com.
