Mariam Yetunde Macaulay went from skin struggles to making Korean beauty work for melanin-rich skin through MY Lab Africa
Fleeting trends and mass-market formulas saturate the beauty world, but Mariam Yetunde Macaulay, founder of MY Lab Africa, stands out for her intentionality. With MY Lab Africa, she’s not just curating shelves, she’s setting standards. Her brand has become a trusted gateway for West African consumers into the revered world of Korean skincare. MY Lab Africa operates with a sharp focus on products that understand and respect melanin-rich skin.
For Mariam, skincare has never been just about vanity. It started with the personal discomfort of not feeling seen. She dealt with sensitive skin, tinea versicolor, and freckles while navigating a beauty industry that largely ignored Black women. That lived experience sparked a journey of curiosity, science, and purpose. After completing her M.Sc. in Management for Business Excellence at the University of Warwick, Mariam combined her business acumen with a passion for skincare to launch MY Lab Africa. Her brand is now the authorised distributor of cult Korean skincare lines like TIAM, Anua, Sioris, and more.
My personal experience with MY Lab Africa was seamless. They were transparent, efficient, and deeply educational with the products suited to my skin. It showed that Mariam has built a brand founded on care, backed by community, and driven by an unwavering commitment to authenticity. MY Lab Africa isn’t simply a retail platform. It’s a movement for better-informed, empowered skincare choices for African women.
With an emphasis on ingredient integrity, trusted partnerships, and holistic wellness, MY Lab Africa is setting a new gold standard prioritising Black skin. In this edit of The Woman Behind The Brand, we meet Mariam as proof that when beauty and purpose intersect, powerful things happen.
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Founding vision & journey of MY Lab Africa
Let’s start at the beginning. What personal experiences led you to build MY Lab Africa, and how did your own skincare journey influence the brand’s philosophy?
My freckles. Having tinea versicolor on my face and body. I struggled with this in my teenage years. After I moved to the UK, I began to prioritise my skin. I’m a woman of colour, and I wasn’t comfortable in my skin. That discomfort made me vow that no one who looks like me should have to feel that way. I wanted to provide products and information to educate people on our melanin-rich skin.
You’ve spoken openly about your experience with sensitive skin and freckles. How did navigating this reality shape your approach to skincare, both personally and professionally?
It made me understand the power of knowledge and how our melanin works. I needed to learn why I had freckles, what caused them and how to maintain them. I realised this wasn’t common knowledge, so I made it my mission to share this information with others.
Skincare is often a deeply emotional journey, especially for women of colour. What gaps did you notice in the industry that made you think, “We deserve better”?
I remember Googling “skincare for dark-skinned women” and seeing white women on every website. Why should I buy a product that doesn’t reflect me? That moment pushed me to travel to Korea and source products specifically for our skin tone and concerns.
What values did you want MY Lab Africa to stand for from day one, especially in a market that often overlooks melanin-rich skin?
Integrity, innovation, accessibility, and affordability.
The science of care
MY Lab Africa is bridging the gap between Korean skincare and African skin needs. How did that cross-continental vision come to life?
Knowledge. Knowledge is power. I read books and took courses in Korea. I made it my mission to understand how skincare works for us, what ingredients and percentages are best suited for our skin and how to layer these products for efficiency.
You’ve visited Korean factories and labs multiple times. Can you tell us about those experiences and how they’ve shaped the quality of the products you sell?
Koreans are incredibly innovative. Their passion for skin solutions is unmatched. They’ve found ways to combine natural ingredients with science to create products that work. I’ve learnt so much from their scientists in a short time, and it’s shaped how we curate and recommend skincare at MY Lab Africa.
We know you’re passionate about minimalist beauty. What does that mean to you, and how do you translate that into product curation at MY Lab Africa?
Our colours translate safety, nature, and community. I want our community to feel safe by skincare, not overwhelmed. Minimalist beauty is about doing more with less, selecting only the essentials your skin truly needs, and creating an intentional routine, not excessive.
From ginseng grown by Korean masters to pure sea buckthorn oil, your product offerings blend beauty with wellness. Why is this holistic approach important to you and your customers?
We’re so consumed by technology that we’ve forgotten nature has always been our first healer. Our ancestors used natural remedies long before synthetics. I believe in infusing that same heritage with modern science. Natural ingredients, when combined with the right formulation, are often safer and more effective than purely chemical options.
Read also: Up your game with these trusted Korean skincare products
Safety & global standards
With the alarming rate of counterfeit products on the African market, how does MY Lab Africa protect the integrity of its offerings and build consumer trust?
We share our processes with our consumers. Transparency is key. We get our products directly from the source. For example, MY Lab Africa is the first brand in Africa to have authorised distributorship for ANUA. It wasn’t easy, it took a lot of time and effort but it matters. There are so many fake ANUA and other products on the market, and securing that partnership has helped us stand apart.
How important is transparency in your sourcing and formulation process? What steps do you take to ensure everything aligns with your brand’s promise of ‘caring right for our people’?
We ask the right questions. We want to know exactly what’s in each product, and we don’t just stock every brand. What makes us different is that we carefully select our products, specifically with melanin-rich skin in mind. Every product must meet our standard of care, safety, and effectiveness before it reaches our customers.
You’ve mentioned the need for trusted distributors. What kind of partners are you looking for, and how do they contribute to the bigger mission of MY Lab Africa?
We’re always on the lookout for wholesalers and distributors who are known to sell authentic beauty and wellness products across Nigeria and West Africa. In a market flooded with counterfeits, our mission is to ensure safe and effective skincare options are available. Partnering with like-minded businesses will help us reach more people while maintaining the integrity of our brand. It’s not just about selling, it’s about protecting the skin and trust of our customers.
The African consumer & global vision
How would you describe the African skincare customer today, and how do you think their needs differ from global consumers?
Today’s African skincare customer is evolving. We’re seeing more awareness, more questions, and a growing demand for transparency. TikTok and social media trends influence many consumers. Unfortunately, what works for one person online might not work for another in real life, especially when skin types, climates, and underlying concerns differ. That’s why education is so important. I love that customers are now reading ingredient lists, asking questions, and prioritising what works for their melanin-rich skin. It’s beautiful to see this shift because it shows we are becoming more intentional.
What misconceptions do you think still exist about African skin? How is MY Lab Africa challenging them with education and innovation?
There’s still a huge issue around bleaching and discomfort with dark skin. Far too many products in West Africa promote harmful whitening rather than healthy skin. That’s one of the narratives we’re working to change at MY Lab Africa. Brands like Sioris, which we carry, have helped people recover from skin damage caused by bleaching. Our mission is to show that your melanin is your power, it’s not something to fix. We want customers to feel seen, valued, and confident in their natural skin.
What has been the biggest lesson from building a brand that centres African realities while integrating Korean skincare science?
The biggest lesson? Nothing is impossible, we just don’t have the solution yet. That belief fuels our innovation. Every day, we’re learning new ways to solve different skin concerns for people of colour. By combining African skincare realities with Korean skincare innovations, we’re creating something uniquely effective. It’s not just about following trends; it’s about creating systems that truly work for our communities.
Read also: Reviving traditional African wellness for modern self-care
Innovation, identity & impact of MY Lab Africa
What does success look like to you right now, and has it changed from when you first started?
Right now, success means making authentic skincare products accessible to more people, through both wholesale and retail. But honestly, I don’t see that as the final definition of success, anyone can sell a product. For me, true success is tied to impact. It’s knowing that we’re educating consumers, elevating African beauty standards, and helping people feel confident in their skin. That kind of transformation is what truly matters.
How do you stay inspired as a founder, especially when juggling business growth and advocacy for better beauty standards?
The vision is bigger than me, and that alone keeps me going. I stay inspired by focusing on our goals one step at a time. I’m constantly finding ways to raise awareness around authentic beauty content creation, especially in a market that’s saturated with unrealistic ideals. That mission keeps me grounded, even when business demands feel overwhelming.
Outside the Korean skincare cult favourites in your collection, which underrated product or category do you think deserves more attention?
Aromer is incredibly underrated. It’s affordable, but it delivers results and that’s something I love. I’m also a big fan of Sioris, even though it’s not as affordable. It’s one of those brands that actually heals the skin. Another section I’m passionate about is our tea collection. It’s such a genius integration of wellness and skincare from the inside out.
Looking ahead, what innovations or product categories are you excited to explore next at MY Lab Africa?
Our focus is making skincare smoother and safer for our community. I can’t say too much just yet, but what’s coming will elevate the way we approach beauty content creation and product formulation. Watch this space, there’s something special on the horizon.
Personal reflections
What does beauty mean to you, as a woman, a founder, and someone with deeply personal skin experiences?
Beauty means feeling comfortable in your own skin. That’s it. As a woman and a founder who has battled with skin concerns like freckles and Tinea Versicolor, I’ve learned that beauty isn’t about looking like anyone else. It’s about embracing your unique features—because those are what make you truly powerful.
What advice would you give to a Black woman looking to transform a personal skin journey into a purposeful business?
Understand the business. The beauty industry, surprisingly, is still very male-dominated. You need to do the groundwork — listen, research, and identify the gap you want to fill. Know what problem you’re solving and make sure it’s relevant in today’s market. Beauty content creation is only meaningful if it’s rooted in real stories and real needs. Your lived experience is your superpower — use it wisely.
Running a skincare retail and wholesale brand can be fast-paced and demanding. How do you prioritise your own well-being, and how does that inform your perspective on beauty as a lifestyle?
I sleep. For me, health is wealth. Running a brand like MY Lab Africa can be demanding, but I take time for myself whenever I can. It’s all about balance. This perspective of care—mind and body — is central to how I approach both life and beauty. Skincare isn’t just routine; it’s a ritual of rest and restoration.
Get to know Mariam Yetunde Macaulay
Go-to skincare product when your skin is throwing a tantrum?
Collagen — ROA. Works like magic.
A Korean skincare habit you’ve fully embraced and swear by?
Teas. Drinking cordyceps and ginseng daily. Hydration and wellness start from within.
A wellness ritual you never skip?
Sleep. One thing about me, I will get my eight hours, without fail.
A beauty trend you love, and one you don’t understand?
I love the 10-step Korean skincare trend, but it doesn’t fit my everyday life. It’s great now and then, but sometimes, less is more.
One word that describes MY Lab Africa?
Community.
