Skincare startup Topicals has announced a new round of financing featuring investments from WNBA standout Angel Reese and Nigerian music star Rema. The announcement, made Jan. 7, adds two prominent figures from sports and entertainment to the company’s growing list of supporters. According to Business of Fashion, the funding round also includes other investors from the entertainment industry, although the company has not disclosed the financial terms. Founded in 2020 by Olamide Olowe, Topicals has raised more than $22.6 million since its launch.

The brand has gained recognition for combining clinically focused skincare products with culturally relevant marketing and storytelling. Its popular offerings include $22 under-eye masks and a $38 Faded Serum designed to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Although many of its products target skin concerns that disproportionately affect people with darker skin tones, Olowe has worked to expand the company’s appeal to a broader audience. Topicals has sold more than one million eye patches and operates in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria. The company also expanded into France last November.

Reese previously featured Topicals in a January 2025 Vogue video, helping introduce the brand to a wider audience. Rema will serve as a creative partner, offering insight into connecting with younger consumers, particularly men. Other investors include Asika, manager of Nigerian-American music star Davido. Olowe said the investors’ cultural influence was an important factor in her decision to bring them aboard. She also noted that securing funding has become more challenging for Black-owned businesses, as investors have grown more cautious. In an interview with The Business of Beauty, Olowe emphasized the importance of attracting backers who understand the brand’s cultural reach and want to support its continued growth.

Olowe has also highlighted her commitment to bringing more Black investors into the company, both to build wealth in Black communities and to draw on their personal experiences with skin conditions. She previously discussed the strategy in an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Sisters Inc., explaining that investors who understand the products and industry can contribute valuable expertise. Looking ahead, Olowe remains optimistic about Topicals’ expansion, particularly its focus on chronic skin conditions and its broader role as a cultural platform. She said the company’s growth strategy in 2026 will emphasize using its brand identity and investors’ influence to reach new customers while maintaining a focus on profitable customer acquisition and long-term revenue growth.