“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.“ — Morgan Freeman.
Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is here. And we couldn’t keep calm but focus our attention on the contributions of African-Americans to the US.
However, long before the gold standard of beauty came into the limelight, Black women were the only ones meeting the overlooked needs of the Black community with a shade catalog that defined “nudes.” So today, as we celebrate the success of the best beauty products for black skin, we also highlight the wonderfully Black And Beautiful skincare products for women of color.
Our consciously curated list of black skincare products by Black-owned brands has a great range of enhanced products for everyone in general and for people of color specifically!
To honor and celebrate the beauty and skincare products for acne, dryness, anti-aging, and much more, we’ve compiled a small list of 15 well-known as well as up-and-coming brands that need to be under your shopping radar today!
1. Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
Shani Darden delivers results giving the healthiest skin possible, from this cult-favorite Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer to some of the brand’s most effective beauty products for black skin. An esthetician to some of your favorite celebs, like Shay Mitchell and Jessica Alba, we can vouch that this is one of the best moisturizers for all skin types. With Retinol as one of the most notable ingredients, this face Moisturizer For Black Skin had to be featured in this list of beauty products for melanin-rich skin tones!
2. Ethoja Creates Chebe Hair Butter
Inspired by the Chad women’s traditional go-to hair care routine, the Ethoja Creates Hair Butter nourishes low porosity hair (hair that doesn’t readily absorb water or treatments.) But the Chebe Hair Butter adds and retains moisture, making hair smoother and easier to maintain. It’s a product you didn’t know you needed, with oils infusions and unrefined shea butter blended in to give you the locks of your dreams.
3. Base Butter Radiate Face Jelly
Base Butter, an all-natural skincare line, is on its way to transforming the portrayal of Black women in the media. Today, we’re eyeing the moisturizing face “jelly,” which was inspired partly by founder She’Neil Johnson‘s journey through acne. Being one of the best moisturizers for all skin types – Radiate Face Jelly is a dollop of hydration packed in a beauty box! It has some of the most powerful and resilient antioxidants found in nature, like Vitamin C and E. It is undoubtedly at the top of our list of best moisturizers for black skin as it guarantees nourished, radiant, and hydrated skin.
4. SheaMoisture African Black Soap Scrub And Lotion
Charcoal Body Wash is no different. It is whipped with mango, coconut & jojoba oil for deep nourishment, while active charcoal & tea tree oil keeps the oil meter of your skin sane. SheaMoisture, the lovely legacy of Sofi Tucker, a pioneering entrepreneur who sold homemade beauty preparations in 1912, deserves an empowering spot in your vanity.
5. Elysium Naturals Co. Natural Whipped Body Butter
We never miss a chance when it comes to whipped cream, and what better way to do so than with the Vanilla Bean Whipped Body Butter! Fast shipping and consistency may also work like magic on you, as it did on us. It is perfect for soothing itchy, dry skin; it absorbs magic onto your skin. To provide the best possible quality skincare, the whipped cream contains naturally produced ingredients free of preservatives and additives. In addition, the brand takes great pride in their 12+ flavors, ensuring that the cream absorbs quickly, and we couldn’t agree more!
6. Crème Mains Karité Shea Butter
Karité (French for “shea butter”) was formed by three Ghanaian sisters, with a hero ingredient, you guessed it right, shea butter. Crème Mains is a nourishing, lightweight hand cream with no harsh ingredients meaning – it’s one of the most amazing black skincare products you can come across! The moisture-rich formulas help heal and moisturize while being safe for all skin types, including those with eczema, psoriasis, and other disorders that cause dry skin. To avoid deforestation or animal cruelty in West Africa, the brand’s founders control all oil sourcing for its goods. We’re absolutely lovin’ it!
7. Bolden Skin Brightening Toner
Created by Black women, for Black women, Bolden is the skin savior brand you never knew you needed. Hyperpigmentation is a typical skincare challenge for Black women, which is why founders Ndidi Obidoa and Chinelo Chidozie created these products to minimize it and brighten the skin. However, what piqued our curiosity today is their Skin Brightening Toner. The toner’s formula balances skin’s pH and harnesses the power of Glycolic Acid to exfoliate dark spots. This makes it one of the finest beauty products for black skin that is more vulnerable to hyperpigmentation.
8. MicMas ReMix Scalp Treatment Oil
This Boricua-owned company specializes in products for kinky, curly, coarse, and dreadlock hair while stressing the message that “hair texture does not determine whether it’s good or bad.” The handmade MicMas ReMiX Scalp Treatment Oil gets to the root of your hair with its 100% all-natural ingredients. So, now say goodbye to hair problems like dandruff, seborrhea, and pruritus. Note, this oil can be mixed with shampoo/conditioner as a nutrient-rich boost or even used as a stand-alone hero!
9. EleVen by Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
Stay ahead with the sun with this prickly pear formula that provides long-lasting hydration while calming and soothing skin, all the while making you feel beautiful about your skin. The vegan, cruelty-free, rooted in natural ingredients, the SPF 35 sunscreen is one of the most reviewed black skincare products you can come across. It’s so lightweight that you probably wouldn’t notice you’re wearing it. In addition, it absorbs so quickly that you might think this Facial Sun Serum is just what you’ve been longing for – a smooth, demi-matter velvety skin.
10. Keys Soulcare Golden Cleanser
Alicia Keys‘ Keys Soulcare is a skincare and wellness business infused with self-love and positivity. Her love for ancient beauty rituals and her own skincare journey have inspired the brand’s creation. This delicate, soothing Golden Cleanser removes dirt, makeup, and pollutants while brightening skin, something your beauty routine needs now! The aroma of sage and oat milk in this beauty product calms the mind and promotes calmness. And the brand goes above and beyond with its best skincare products for black skin and basically everyone else.
11. Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum
It is often said that to find the ideal solution, you must first face the problems. Desiree Verdejo struggled with extreme hyperpigmentation when pregnant with her child, and after failing to find a product that worked, she built her own little beauty universe. With kojic acid, turmeric, and barberry, this Vitamin C Serum can help you kiss goodbye to hyperpigmentation and dark spots. In addition, the unique ingredient combinations in Hyper Skin‘s products target acne scars and age spots while reducing the probability of future outbreaks.
12. Strebors Turmeric Skin Care Set
Strebors was founded in 2019 with a simple goal in mind: “our beauty products should reach as many as possible, suffering from skin and hair issues, and have exhausted all-natural options.” Thus, they put together this all-natural Turmeric Skin Care Bundle for those hooked on turmeric and its benefits. With anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, such beauty products for black skin are what keep us going; and brands like Strebors are just so impressive! So pamper yourself with this care kit today.
13. Kaike Chocolate Clay Face Mask
Kaike’s goal is to address the complex skincare challenges that people of color often face by using clean ingredients. Kaike’s signature line offers everything luscious, including this Chocolate Clay Face Mask. Apart from chocolate, the face mask comes in a variety of flavors, including Watermelon, Marshmellow, and Green Tea. Try these clay-based masks formulated to address all skincare concerns. It nourishes and revitalizes dull skin after your search for the best face moisturizer for black skin has ended!
14. Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Trio for Melanin Rich Skin
Treat yourself to a full Buttah Body experience with this Head-To-Toe Skincare Kit. This kit includes everything you’ll need to turn your regular cleaning into a really relaxing self-care ritual. It comes with a nourishing body wash, an exfoliating skin polishing bar, and, of course, a profoundly hydrating whipped body butter (which we can’t wait to try!). Buttah, launched in 2018 by actor, model, and recording artist Dorion Renaud, will make you glow from head to toe. The brand concentrates on melanin-rich skin, prone to dryness and hyperpigmentation by harnessing the power of raw and organic shea butter.
Everyone needs a Iil’ Buttah – baby!
15. Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
The days of sunscreens ignoring melanin-rich skin are long gone. Shontay Lundy, the founder of Black Girl Sunscreen, created a product that the beauty industry really needed. A 100% Sheer Sunscreen that protects melanin without leaving a white cast! To be crystal clear, Black skin also needs sunscreen; the notion that Black skin naturally repels the sun is a complete myth. Along with this hydrating sunscreen with SPF 30 receiving wonderful reviews, beauty influencers, celebrities, and dermatologists rave about this brand.
Many beauty products like serums, lotions, and face moisturizers for black skin, claim to be suitable for all skin types (which may be true!) However, another layer to black and brown skin is often forgotten. Dark patches and uneven tones are more common in melanin-rich skin tones. This simply means that you need a little more TLC now and again, as well as the proper skincare regimen. So, overcome your toughest skincare challenges with the beauty products for black skin mentioned above.
Also, let us know which one worked best for you in the comments! And if any of your cult favorites haven’t been listed here, please let us know to include them.
