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Science-informed skincare

Luxury skincare made for melanin-rich skin.

Support a more even, radiant complexion with thoughtfully formulated ingredients — designed to brighten the look of skin and help it feel balanced and healthy.

  • Made in the USA
  • Cruelty-free
  • Without hydroquinone
ORAE campaign portrait of a woman with luminous melanin-rich skin and the gold ORAE melanin-rich skincare wordmark
ORAE brand poster reading Your skin. Our science. Real results. beside the amber serum bottle
ORAE Melanin Glow Serum styled on warm stone in soft natural light

The debut formula

Melanin Glow Serum

A lightweight brightening serum formulated with skin-tone-supporting ingredients, designed to help visibly improve the look of dark spots and uneven tone — gently, without disrupting the skin barrier.

  • Helps brighten the appearance of hyperpigmentation
  • Helps fade the look of acne marks
  • Supports a more even tone
  • Hydrates skin
  • Supports the skin barrier
  • Formulated for daily use

Individual results may vary.

Key ingredients

  • Niacinamide
  • Tranexamic Acid
  • Alpha Arbutin
  • Panthenol
  • Peptides
Full details
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Why ORAE

Considered at every step

Formulated for melanin-rich skin

Every decision — actives, levels, pH, texture — is made with deeper skin tones and their concerns in mind.

Backed by ingredient research

We choose actives with a meaningful body of published cosmetic research behind them, not trend-driven fillers.

Made in the USA

Produced in a US facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practice standards.

Cruelty-free

We do not test on animals, and we do not ask others to test on our behalf.

Formulated without hydroquinone

Brightening the look of skin without hydroquinone, parabens, or added fragrance.

A luxury experience

Considered packaging, elegant textures, and a routine that feels like a moment of care.

The science

Formulated With Ingredients Backed By Research

Five actives, each chosen for a body of published cosmetic research and for how it behaves on deeper skin tones.

01

Niacinamide

What it is
A form of vitamin B3, one of the most widely studied ingredients in cosmetic skincare.
How it works
Research suggests niacinamide can interrupt the transfer of pigment to the upper layers of skin, while supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Benefits
Helps brighten the appearance of dark spots, supports a more even-looking tone, and helps skin feel comfortable and hydrated.
For melanin-rich skin
Melanin-rich skin can respond to irritation with visible marks. Niacinamide is well tolerated at cosmetic levels, making it a gentle option for tone-focused routines.
02

Tranexamic Acid

What it is
A synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine, used topically in brightening formulas.
How it works
It is studied for its ability to help limit the signalling cascade that leads to excess visible pigment after inflammation or sun exposure.
Benefits
Helps soften the look of stubborn discolouration, post-blemish marks, and patchy areas.
For melanin-rich skin
Because it targets the appearance of pigment triggered by inflammation, it suits skin prone to post-inflammatory marks.
03

Alpha Arbutin

What it is
A refined, plant-derived molecule related to hydroquinone in structure — but used as a cosmetic brightener.
How it works
It works gradually on the enzyme activity involved in visible pigment production, helping new discolouration appear less pronounced.
Benefits
Helps visibly brighten dark spots and improve the look of overall clarity.
For melanin-rich skin
Gentle and gradual by design, so it supports brightening goals without the harshness that can leave deeper skin tones looking uneven.
04

Panthenol

What it is
Provitamin B5, a humectant and skin-conditioning agent.
How it works
It draws water into the upper layers of skin and helps reinforce the feel of a healthy, resilient barrier.
Benefits
Hydrates, soothes the feel of stressed skin, and improves softness and suppleness.
For melanin-rich skin
Barrier comfort matters when using active brighteners — panthenol helps keep the routine feel balanced rather than stripped.
05

Peptides

What it is
Short chains of amino acids used as skin-conditioning agents in modern cosmetic formulation.
How it works
They support the look of firmness and smoothness, complementing the tone-focused actives in the formula.
Benefits
Helps skin look smoother, plumper, and more radiant over time.
For melanin-rich skin
A tone-focused routine should still care for texture and glow — peptides round out the formula for an overall healthy-looking finish.
Glass beakers and a pipette on a warm beige surface in a skincare formulation studio

Ingredient information is educational. ORAE products are cosmetics intended to improve the appearance of skin, not to treat any condition. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using active skincare.

Before & after

Real Skin. Real Results.

A look at what consistent daily use with sunscreen can support over time. Individual results may vary.

Before and after comparison after eight weeks of ORAE Melanin Glow Serum use, showing a brighter, more even complexion
BeforePhoto coming soon
AfterPhoto coming soon

Participant 1 · consistent daily use

BeforePhoto coming soon
AfterPhoto coming soon

Participant 2 · consistent daily use

BeforePhoto coming soon
AfterPhoto coming soon

Participant 3 · consistent daily use

Results are individual and may vary. Photos represent one person's experience over eight weeks of consistent use. Photography will be unretouched and taken in consistent lighting.

Testimonials

In their words

Illustrative examples only. These are placeholder testimonials shown while we collect verified reviews from real ORAE customers.

My tone looks noticeably more even after a few months of nightly use, and my barrier never felt stressed.

Amara O.

Atlanta, GA

Razor marks along my jaw used to linger for weeks. They look far less obvious now, and the texture is beautiful.

Devon M.

Brooklyn, NY

It layers under sunscreen without pilling. The dark spots from old breakouts have faded in appearance.

Nia R.

Houston, TX

Individual results may vary. Placeholder content shown for layout purposes.

A woman applying ORAE Melanin Glow Serum with the gold-collared dropper in warm morning light

Our story

Created From Experience. Backed By Research.

ORAE was created because finding skincare that genuinely addresses hyperpigmentation in melanin-rich skin — without irritation — can be frustrating. We wanted to build products that combine research, quality ingredients, and thoughtful formulation to help people feel more confident in their skin.

The focus isn't perfection — it's healthy, radiant skin, supported by effective, well-formulated skincare.

@getorae

The ORAE community

Follow along for education, launches, and skin stories.

Three people with melanin-rich skin in cream clothing against a neutral studio backdrop
An ORAE customer holding the Melanin Glow Serum in a softly lit bathroom mirror selfie

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