For years, Mopelola Esan struggled with severe acne, an experience that affected how she felt about her skin and eventually changed the direction of her career. What began as a personal search for effective skincare solutions developed into a professional mission to help others address their skin concerns without losing confidence in their natural appearance.
Today, Esan is the founder of Indigoskin Clinic, an aesthetic nurse and laser technician whose work focuses on clinical skincare, personalised treatments and education about melanin-rich skin. Her journey reflects how a personal challenge can inspire a business while shaping the values that guide its growth.
Esan’s path into the beauty industry began with a cosmetics brand that later expanded into a day spa offering facials and basic skin treatments. As she encountered more complex skin concerns and developed a deeper understanding of the science behind skincare, she recognised the need for additional clinical training. Having previously studied Early Childhood Education, she returned to school to pursue a degree in Nursing, strengthening the medical foundation of her work in aesthetics.
That decision marked an important stage in the development of Indigoskin Clinic. The business gradually evolved into a clinical aesthetics practice, with Esan combining her nursing education, specialised aesthetic training and laser technology to develop individualised treatment approaches.
Beyond the clinic’s growth, her work addresses a broader issue within Nigeria’s beauty industry. Esan has become an advocate for moving conversations about beauty away from skin lightening and towards healthy skin, especially among women with darker complexions.
Her philosophy captures that commitment.
“We should treat the skin, not erase its identity.”
For Esan, effective skincare should address concerns such as acne and hyperpigmentation while respecting a person’s natural complexion. She believes education and appropriate treatment are essential to challenging misconceptions about melanin-rich skin and reducing the pressure women may feel to change their appearance to meet prevailing beauty standards.
Her professional journey has also been accompanied by industry recognition. According to the information provided for this interview, Indigoskin received APSMAN Best Skincare Brand in 2023, Best Laser Clinic in 2024 and LAMODE Best Beauty Brand in 2025. Esan regards these recognitions as encouragement to continue improving the clinic’s standards and approach to patient care.
However, the achievements she values most are often personal. Having experienced the emotional effects of acne herself, she finds particular meaning in seeing clients regain confidence, feel comfortable without makeup and become more accepting of their natural skin.
Through Indigoskin Clinic, Esan is working towards a vision of clinical skincare that combines professional expertise with a deeper understanding of how skin concerns affect people’s confidence and self-image.
In this Crest Africa Spotlight Interview, Mopelola Esan discusses her journey from struggling with acne to building Indigoskin Clinic, her transition into nursing, her approach to treating melanin-rich skin and the legacy she hopes to create in Nigeria’s beauty and aesthetics industry.
How Mopelola Esan’s Personal Struggle With Acne Inspired Indigoskin Clinic
Crest Africa: Your journey into aesthetics began with a personal struggle with severe acne throughout your teenage years and early adulthood. How did that experience shape your understanding of skincare and eventually inspire you to establish Indigoskin Clinic?
Mopelola Esan: My journey began with my personal battle with severe acne, which lasted from my teenage years into adulthood. Having experienced the frustration and emotional impact of struggling with my skin, I became passionate about understanding skincare and finding effective solutions.
That personal experience eventually became my purpose: to help others achieve healthy skin and regain their confidence. This passion gave birth to Indigoskin Clinic.
From Early Childhood Education to Nursing and Clinical Skincare
Crest Africa: Before becoming an aesthetic nurse, you studied Early Childhood Education and later earned a degree in Nursing. What influenced your transition into healthcare, and how has your educational background shaped your approach to aesthetics?
Mopelola Esan: My transition into nursing was largely inspired by the evolution of my business.
I started with a cosmetics brand and a day spa offering facials and basic skin treatments. However, as my passion and understanding of skincare grew, I wanted to achieve more clinical results.
I realised I needed proper medical training and professional certification to take my work further, which inspired me to return to school to study Nursing.
Building Indigoskin Clinic From a Cosmetics Brand Into a Clinical Aesthetics Practice
Crest Africa: You founded Indigoskin Clinic after discovering solutions to your own skin concerns and pursuing professional training. What was the experience of building the clinic like, and what vision guided you during its early stages?
Mopelola Esan: Indigoskin has evolved from a cosmetics brand into a day spa and eventually a clinical aesthetics practice.
As my knowledge grew, so did my vision. I wanted to move beyond surface-level skincare and offer science-driven treatments that address the root causes of skin concerns.
Building that vision has required continuous learning, investment and dedication.
Challenging Skin Lightening Standards and Celebrating Melanin-Rich Skin
Crest Africa: You have spoken about the challenge of moving away from a market heavily focused on skin lightening towards promoting healthy, naturally beautiful melanin-rich skin. What prompted that shift in your professional approach, and how did you navigate the expectations of clients who associated lighter skin with beauty?
Mopelola Esan: As I studied skin conditions more deeply, particularly melanogenesis, I realised that the beauty industry placed too much emphasis on skin lightening rather than skin health.
I wanted to challenge that narrative by educating people that beautiful skin is not about being lighter but about being healthy and well cared for.
At Indigoskin, we focus on treating skin concerns without compromising a person’s natural complexion.
My philosophy is simple: “We should treat the skin, not erase its identity.”
Addressing Acne and Hyperpigmentation Through Clinical Skincare
Crest Africa: Acne and hyperpigmentation are central to your work at Indigoskin Clinic. What are some of the most common misconceptions you encounter about treating these conditions, especially among people with darker skin tones?
Mopelola Esan: Many people believe acne is caused by poor hygiene or that hyperpigmentation can only be treated through skin lightening. These are misconceptions.
Melanin-rich skin requires specialised care, as inappropriate treatments can worsen pigmentation.
Proper assessment, targeted treatments and consistent skincare are essential for achieving healthy results.
How Clinical Training Shapes Personalised Treatment at Indigoskin Clinic
Crest Africa: As an aesthetic nurse, laser technician and lead aesthetician, you combine clinical knowledge with specialised aesthetic training. How has this expertise influenced your approach to developing treatment plans for clients with different skin concerns?
Mopelola Esan: My clinical training has taught me that everyone’s skin is different.
We assess each client’s skin condition, history and individual needs before recommending treatments.
I combine clinical knowledge, specialised aesthetic training and advanced technology to develop safe, personalised treatment plans.
Recognising Indigoskin Clinic’s Growth and Commitment to Excellence
Crest Africa: Indigoskin Clinic has received several recognitions, including APSMAN Best Skincare Brand in 2023, Best Laser Clinic in 2024 and LAMODE Best Beauty Brand in 2025. What do these recognitions mean to you, and how have they influenced your vision for the clinic?
Mopelola Esan: These recognitions are a reflection of years of dedication, consistency and hard work.
Winning APSMAN Best Skincare Brand in 2023, Best Laser Clinic in 2024 and LAMODE Best Beauty Brand in 2025 is truly humbling.
They motivate me to keep raising standards, embracing innovation and delivering excellence.
I see them not just as achievements but as a responsibility to do even better.
Restoring Confidence Through Skincare and Personal Transformation
Crest Africa: You describe seeing clients regain confidence in their skin as one of your greatest accomplishments. Can you share a memorable experience that reminded you why you chose this profession?
Mopelola Esan: The most rewarding moments are when clients who once struggled with their skin begin to feel confident again.
Seeing someone become comfortable without makeup or smile confidently in photographs reminds me that our work goes beyond physical transformation.
Having experienced acne myself, I understand that emotional journey, and helping others regain that confidence is priceless.
Changing Nigeria’s Beauty Industry Through Education and Healthier Skin Standards
Crest Africa: One of your goals is to challenge the belief that beauty is determined by skin colour and encourage women of colour to feel comfortable in their natural complexion. What changes would you like to see in Nigeria’s beauty and skincare industry to make that vision a reality?
Mopelola Esan: I would love to see a shift from colour-focused beauty standards to skin-health-focused beauty standards.
We need more education, responsible marketing and treatments specifically suited to melanin-rich skin.
Most importantly, women should understand that they do not need to change their natural complexion to be beautiful.
Healthy skin should be celebrated in every shade.
Mopelola Esan’s Vision for Indigoskin Clinic and the Future of Clinical Skincare
Crest Africa: Your personal philosophy is centred on excellence, purpose and making a meaningful impact. Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to build through Indigoskin Clinic, both in clinical skincare and in changing how women perceive their natural beauty?
Mopelola Esan: I want to build an institution recognised for clinical excellence, innovation, education and exceptional patient care.
Beyond skincare, I hope to empower women to embrace their natural beauty and inspire future aesthetic practitioners to uphold high professional standards.
Ultimately, I want my legacy to be about transforming skin, restoring confidence, educating generations and changing perceptions of beauty.
And lastly, I want Indigoskin to be remembered not just for the skin we transform, but for the confidence we restore, the knowledge we share and the beauty standards we challenge.
