It is said that skincare is a journey and not a destination. This is an adage that deeply resonates with skinfluencer, Zithobe Macheli whose content creation career was ironically contrived by her hard-fought battle with acne.
With an impressive portfolio boasting impressive achievements such as winning the best beauty influencer award for Women & Home magazine 2022, editorial contributions to esteemed publications like BONA magazine and GQ magazine, and hosting duties on a global, award-winning Nivea podcast “Skin Out Loud,” Zithobe Zithobe has established herself as a trusted authority in the online beauty market.
“My acne journey inspired me to venture into skincare content creation. I remember spending so much time trying to figure out how I could heal my skin when I was younger, from trying out different products, consulting dermatologists, and doing extensive research through reading medical journals on skin and skincare education”, shares Zithobe.
After knocking on every door, the skincare connoisseur finally found the key to healing her skin, a miracle that she attributes to the Universe’s divine intervention.
“In my matric year, I finally cracked the code and started seeing my skin transform, and this was through science-based skincare and applying the knowledge I had acquired throughout the years. That experience alone was a lot, but that birthed my passion for skincare and, most importantly, skincare education”, expresses Zithobe.
Currently serving as a skin expert for the Eucerin South Africa Skin Squad 2024, the illustrious content creator aims to empower individuals with informed skincare education and support conscious consumerism.
We chat with Zithobe about her best-kept skincare secrets and more.
Congratulations on becoming a part of the Eucerin Skin Squad. What was your reaction to the news?
Thank you! Being a Skin expert for Eucerin’s Squad 2024 is truly a dream! I have worked with Eucerin on a few campaigns before this, and I have always been so happy with the creative freedom they allow and how they respect my opinion and time as a creator.
They first broke the news to my attorney, who had been handling the legalities of a campaign we had been working on with them in mid-December 2023, and told him that they wanted to work with me on a long-term basis in the new year. And when I received the email, I knew it would be the perfect partnership. Eucerin is a brand I love and have always used, and I share the same ethos with the brand, the ethos of prioritizing skincare and ingredient education. So much research goes into their products, and their efficacy is out of this world; those are the kinds of brands I love working with.
You are also one of the hosts of Nivea’s “Skin Out Loud.” Tell us more about that.
“Skin Out Loud” was such a defining moment in my career! The opportunity came when I was praying for more in my career, and I couldn’t believe it when I got that call from Beiersdorf, Germany. It was the affirmation I needed to keep creating because I don’t know how wide and far my content reaches and who is watching.
The podcast is a 5 episode podcast dedicated to skin diversity; we touched on topics such as identity, skincare, confidence, age, and everyday life experiences. It was an honour to co-host with people pioneering in their respective industries, and being the youngest (21 years at the time) and only black African host made me proud to raise the South African flag. I had the honour to co-host with Netflix’s Queer Eye star Leni Bolt, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Brigading, German TV host Milka Loff, and Australian model and author Jessica Vander Leahy.
The opportunity opened the door to a long-term relationship with Beiersdorf, Germany. Since then, I have worked on three global campaigns with them, one of which was a shoot in Istanbul, Turkey. More than anything, shooting the podcast had a huge impact on me as a person; the level of vulnerability we shared was empowering. I made life-long friends, and I left the three-day set feeling like there was nothing in the world I could not conquer. The podcast is available on all streaming platforms, including a visual on YouTube; check it out!
As a skincare connoisseur, which skin care tip do you swear by?
I swear by maintaining a healthy skin barrier! Many skin issues are caused by a damaged skin barrier, which is why maintaining its health is so important.
Which qualities do you look for in a skincare product, particularly moisturisers?
It’s essential to me that a product restores what my skin naturally produces, such as lipids like ceramides or squalene, and ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid.
What is the most common misconception you’ve heard about skincare and skin health?
The biggest one is that people of colour do not need to wear sunscreen; it’s always so shocking. The argument is always that the skin and melanin were made to protect us from the sun naturally, and yes, that is true, but with today’s climate and global warming, melanin alone isn’t enough. Even our ancestors used to wear mud, “ibomvu” in isiZulu, to create a layer to protect their skin from the sun’s rays. This does not mean POCs shouldn’t enjoy the sun; I always bask in it – it is healthy for you and the rejuvenation of your cells and suppliance of vitamin D, but take the necessary precautions.
Is water really the holy grail?
More than 60% of our body is water, so it’s essential. I am not saying drinking water will solve your skin issues, but it will contribute to plumper skin cells and your overall human health.
What are your top three tips for healthy, glowing skin?
#1: HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION – Hydration is often overlooked, but it is the simplest way to maintain a healthy skin barrier and have “glass” skin.
#2: Keeping it simple. I have become such a minimalist when it comes to my skincare routine. I give my skin what it needs the most, and that is what I prioritize; the rest will follow.
#3: Gentle exfoliation, emphasis on the GENTLE. TikTok has normalized over-exfoliation, which is detrimental to your skin barrier. The skin naturally goes through desquamation, which is its natural way of exfoliation, so you want to do less; 1-2 times a week is enough.
Sunscreen is also very important. What are some of your top recommendations?
Eucerin Face Oil Control Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF 50+ for Oily/Oily Combination skin
WBeauty Sun Protection Complete Shield SPF 50 for dry/dry combination
Nivea SUN UV Sensitive Sun Allergy Protection Face Cream SPF 50 for sensitive skin
What are your go-to moisturisers?
I swear by the Forever Living aloe vera gelly and the SKOON happy flora microbiome balancing face cream.
Forever Living Aloe Vera Gelly
R 307.76
SKOON HAPPY FLORA Microbiome Balancing Face Cream
R807.45
What is your advice to people who would like to begin their skincare journey? Where should they start?
You can start by following me, lol. Okay, but on a serious note, the first place to start is knowing your skin type to understand what your skin needs and what skincare textures work best for your skin type. If you don’t know your skin type, I have a video on my IG and TikTok on how to test your skin type at home. Then, you have to get the three primary essential products of a skincare routine with textures that suit your skin type: a cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
What can we expect from you this year?
This year, I am doing a lot of things behind the scenes. I just joined a luxury beauty retailer as their beauty insider and have also tapped into the subject matter advisory field. I have been doing subject matter advisory for a while now with small local brands, and recently, I got an opportunity to be a part of an advisory board for the Research and Development department of a massive global company. It’s incredible that brands value my opinion and insight and trust that I add value to their corporation’s growth.
I have taken a break from writing due to my other commitments, but I am looking to start hosting skincare masterclasses, and an e-commerce business is on the way! I’m not ready to disclose more information yet, but I am excited because I have always known that I want to venture into business.
More than anything, I look forward to seeing what other opportunities the universe has in store for me because I am always shocked at the doors that open for me!
