Who Is She?

Zithobe ‘The Skin Girl’ Macheli is a digital content creator and beauty writer that specializes in science-based skincare. She is known as the girl with glazing, glowing and gorgeous skin, however, it has not always been that way, she struggled with acne from an incredibly early age and her own journey of healing her skin is what sparked her love for skincare and raising awareness about it. 

Her Prioritizations

Zithobe prioritizes skincare ingredient education and shares insightful skincare tips with the intention to help people become more skincare conscious and make well informed decisions as consumers. She is the Woman & Home Magazine 2022 beauty award winner and has worked with brands such as Garnier sub-Saharan, Eucerin, L’Oréal Paris, Nivea and Dermalogica, just to name a few. Her writing work has been featured in publications such as BONA magazine, Haze magazine, Scattered News Magazine, and The Suite, which is Brutal Fruit’s digital platform. 

Upcoming Brands

She admits that being an influencer was not her dream, but rather it chose her after leaving her science degree. She knew she wanted to be impactful in the public eye but didn’t know how it would unfold. When asked about the brands she would like to work with in the future, she enthusiastically states that she has been lucky enough to work with the local brands she had hoped to work with. Her current dream is to work with more luxurious and international brands; among the latter are FENTY SKIN, Topicals, Naturium, and similar brands. In addition to working with luxury labels, she would want to collaborate with brands that are known for their fragrances, such as Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), and Jimmy Choo, because “her skin are familiar with it.” She would like to collaborate with Chanel and Dior Beauty, two upscale skin care businesses. 

Challenges

In South Africa, the skincare industry faces challenges like pressure to maintain good skin and limited collaborations due to the lack of many brands. Many brands withdraw once they realize they are not available, limiting growth opportunities. The marketing tactic of labelling skincare products as unisex is often done for profit, affecting women’s perception of skincare in the country. Zithobe’s desire to become an aesthetician was sparked by her skincare journey with acne, which sparked her love for skin. She became curious about skin and sought solutions to heal it. Once she found a solution, she shared it online, attracting the public and brands.  

The reception from South Africans has been beautiful, she speaks in humility how she feels like she has become what she was looking for when she was struggling with her skin, she needed someone who has all the information, someone who can recommend products in the local market. The skincare industry is constantly upgrading, focusing on niches, and staying knowledgeable about new trends. Successful individuals in this industry should focus on their passion and research to attract passionate individuals, ensuring they remain relevant and relevant in the industry.