South Africa’s First Derm-Led Skincare Creator Standard Launches

South Africa’s First Derm-Led Skincare Creator Standard Launches in Johannesburg

This month the Dermatology Society of South Africa (DSSA), supported by Neutrogena, launched Skin Certified SA – the country’s first science-backed, dermatologist-governed certification standard for skincare creators and brands. At a landmark event hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha at Level Three, Kramerville, Nomzamo Mbatha, Neutrogena’s brand ambassador became the first-ever Skin Certified creator, having completed an online course via the new Skin Certified microsite. The curriculum, developed by DSSA dermatologists including Dr. Willie Visser, covers skin biology, evidence-based ingredient knowledge, myth-busting, and ethical influence, and was available for exploration on the night via a roaming AI Bot, emphasising the initiative’s commitment to new and improved processes.

On the night, Nomzamo encouraged Neutrogena’s own squad of influencers to register and become the first cohort of #SkinCertifiedSA creators once the final platform is live, which will make them pioneers in this new standard. They will be the first to earn their Skin Certified badge, leading a skincare revolution and setting a new benchmark for credible, science-based influence in South Africa.

Skin Certified SA is an initiative governed by the DSSA, with Neutrogena acting as a founding supporter, champion, and enabler by translating their 70+ years of dermatological science into real-world credibility and consumer protection. The standard is developed with a committee of dermatologists and skin scientists, and is open to all responsible brands and creators who meet the criteria.

Dr. Willie Visser, DSSA representative, said: “South Africans are consuming skincare content in a vacuum of misinformation. With fewer than one dermatologist per million people in much of Africa, we cannot rely on clinical access alone. Skin Certified SA puts credible, peer-reviewed science directly into the hands of creators – and their communities. This is a public health intervention, not a marketing campaign.”

Why Skin Certified SA exists:

• To protect consumers from harmful trends and false claims.

• To empower creators with recognised, credible education.

• To unite the industry under a single, dermatologist-approved trust mark.

Neutrogena has leveraged its 70+ years of dermatological expertise to help establish this new, trustworthy standard for the entire industry. As a committed community protector, Neutrogena is fighting misinformation and empowering consumers with real, science-backedknowledge. The brand has explicitly ceded governance to the DSSA, pioneering a shift toward verified, responsible skincare influence.

Neutrogena spokesperson said: “Better industry standards mean better outcomes for every skin. We didn’t build this to own it. We built it to prove it. Now it belongs to South Africa. We are translating the principle of #BeautyToAScience into real-world credibility and consumer protection.”

The official Skin Certified microsite will be live and open to all influencers, offering the DSSA-approved course at no cost. Graduates will receive a digital badge, certificate, and listing on a public registry of certified voices. Keep an eye on the Neutrogena & DSSA pages for the official site launch.

The soon-to-be first batch of Skin Certified creators, who are part of the 2026 Neutrogena squad, will serve as ambassadors of trust and pioneers, encouraging their industry peers to take the course and commit to trusted skincare. Their message to fellow creators: This isn’t just a Neutrogena program, it’s a dermatologist-led movement to bring credibility, trust, and science to skincare content. You’re not just becoming certified; you’re becoming pioneers.

Nomzamo Mbatha, host and longtime Neutrogena partner, closed the evening: “Trending doesn’t mean true. Viral doesn’t mean safe. Tonight, South Africa chose science. And we’re never going back.”