Start supporting these amazing and totally innovative black-owned skincare brands right now
One positive outcome of the Black Lives Matter movement is the amplification and celebration of black-owned businesses, from beauty brands to lifestyle companies. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t take this moment to focus on one of our favorite sectors: skincare! Those with darker skin tones are more likely to suffer from issues like hyperpigmentation, and that’s where black-owned skincare brands come in. Black skincare brand founders fill in the gaps by ensuring all skin types and tones are served. Here are eleven black-owned skincare brands to support right now:
1. Hyper Skin
Before Hyper Skin, creator Desiree Verdejo opened up the equivalent to Sephora for women of color in Harlem called Vivrant Beauty. After curating premium skincare products in her store, Desiree honed in on what was missing. Hyper Skin launched with a single product called the Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum, which clears away hyperpigmentation using 15 percent vitamin C and E.
2. BeautyStat Cosmetics
You might know the cosmetics chemist Ron Robinson from the popular BeautyStat blog, but he’s also developed products for Clinique, L’Oreal, Revlon, and Avon. Recently, Ron has launched Beautystat Universal C Skin Refiner to all beauty-enthusiasts’ delight. His mission is to help consumers reduce their skincare clutter and maximize the benefits of the skincare products they use.
3. Epara Skincare
Epara Skincare seeks to provide luxury skincare products to women of color, an often neglected area of the skincare market. Founder Ozohu Adoh develops formulas made with organic ingredients from Africa to treat a wide variety of issues that those with darker skin tones face, including discoloration and dryness caused by sun exposure, free radicals, and air pollution.
4. Bevel
Housed under parent company, Walker and Company, Bevel’s purpose is to offer high quality but straightforward skincare, shaving, and grooming-related products to people of color. While many of the brand’s products are geared toward consumers identifying as men, those of all genders rave about Bevel razors. Check out Skin Heroes Bundle, which diminishes discoloration and uneven skin texture.
5. Dehiya Beauty
Ancient beauty traditions and African herbalists inspire this plant-based skincare brand. Mia Chae Reddy is the force behind Dehiya Beauty. Her mission from the start has always been to create a high-quality, cruelty-free skincare line influenced by Moroccan folk beauty that furthers women’s equality, human rights, and racial justice. The brand’s range includes cleansers, serums, masks, and tools that use cold-pressed Argan oil from Morocco, Marula seed oil, Babassu oil, and tons of other ethically sourced, botanical ingredients that nourish and restore dry skin.
6. Luv Scrub
Luv Scrub is made of 100 percent nylon, unlike traditional loofahs. It’s a mesh exfoliator that’s been used in West African skincare for generations. Founder Caroline Owes-Ansah, whose family comes from Ghana, wanted to bring her family’s beauty secrets to the United States skincare market. Luv Scrub works by gently sloughing away dead skin to reveal bright, smooth skin, and it never irritates like other exfoliators do. Since Luv Scrub is made from nylon, it won’t breed bacteria.
7. Pholk Beauty
Founder Niambia Cacchioli’s goal is to make more accessible and affordable skincare for women of color to use. The brand is completely vegan, natural, and made in its very own lab. Pholk Beauty’s products contain ingredients like cold-pressed hibiscus oil sourced from Senegal, moringa sourced from Ghana, and turmeric from Jamaica.
8. Undefined Beauty
Before starting Undefined Beauty, founder Dorian Morris worked for companies like Sephora, Kendo, and CoverGirl. She then leveraged her knowledge to create Undefined Beauty, a CBD-infused lineup of skincare and makeup products. The brand’s products also contain ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and natural fruit extracts. What’s more, they are free of sulfates, artificial dyes, and fragrances.
9. Black Girl Sunscreen
Just as the name implies, Black Girl Sunscreen was created with women of color in mind. Founder Shontay Lundy developed this brand because she wanted those with darker skin tones to have a sunscreen that takes into account their needs. This mineral sunscreen has SPF 30, is made using vegan ingredients, and leaves behind no white cast.
10. Kaike
This completely plant-based skincare brand is known for its multi-purpose products. Created by Keli Smith, Kaike features vegan and cruelty-free products for all skincare needs specific to darker skin tones. Check out Melt Cleansing Oil—it takes off even the most stubborn makeup, leaving skin nourished and moisturized afterward.
11. Gilded
Founded by Blair Armstrong, a physician’s assistant in dermatology, Gilded’s mission is to offer safe, effective, and luxurious body-care products for women of color. This line features skin-brightening body polish and a body balm formulated for super-dry skin, which is made from a high concentration of shea butter to deliver intensive moisture.
References
- “41 Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Support Now and Always,” Allure, June 1, 2020.
- “22 Blac-Owned Skincare Brands to Support Now and Forever,” Elle, June 1, 2020.
- “The Best Black-Owned Skin Care Brands to Shop Now and Always,” Allure, June 6, 2020.
