MELE:
Designing for Melanin-Rich Men
In the summer of 2022, I was selected as the team lead for Design for America’s (DFA) inaugural Summer Design Accelerator, a human-centered design sprint in partnership with Unilever and their brand, MELE.
Client: Unilever + MELE
Partner: Design for America
Role: Team Lead | UX Designer & Researcher
Timeline: 8 weeks
Team: 5 Designers, MELE Brand Team, DFA Mentors
The Challenge
In 2020, Unilever launched MELE, a science-backed skincare line formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin. But by 2022, a new opportunity emerged. How could MELE become more than a product and instead, a movement?
Together, we explored the question How might we build an authentic skincare movement that centers science, self-esteem, and healthy practices, so everyone can love the skin they're in?
User Research & Insights
Stakeholder Interviews
We conducted interviews with:
MELE brand managers & product scientists
Dermatologists with experience treating melanin-rich skin
Men of color ages 21–45 (our target group)
Key Findings
Men want to care for their skin, but feel excluded from mainstream skincare education.
Many don’t know their skin type, leading to trial-and-error product use.
Skepticism and confusion are major barriers—many don't trust brands or understand ingredients.
Aesthetics matter, but routine must be simple and affirming, not overwhelming.
Persona Snapshot
Problem Reframed
While MELE was already building trust with Black women, we saw an opportunity to expand this trust to men by making skincare science approachable, relatable, and interactive.
How might we help melanin-rich men discover and commit to personalized skincare in a way that feels intuitive, culturally relevant, and community-powered?
With MELE’s mission to serve melanin-rich skin and a product line grounded in dermatological science, we knew trust and education would be key pillars. However, our team identified a critical gap:
Black and brown men were largely absent from the skincare conversation.
Design Goals
Education Through Design
Educate consumers through design on the benefits of a skincare regimen.
Accessible, Comprehensible Experience
Making skincare science feel simple, inclusive, and easy to engage with
Data-Driven,
Beautifully Built
Transforming user insights into effective, culturally resonant design
The Solution
“Know Your Skin” Interactive Quiz
We developed a digital interactive quiz designed to help men:
Identify their skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive)
Understand common skin concerns (razor bumps, hyperpigmentation, dullness)
Receive science-backed, MELE-aligned skincare routines tailored to their results
Be offered the chance to join an email-based support series with skincare tips, product recs, and affirmations from real men of color
