10 Black-Owned Skincare Brands to Try For a Glowing Complexion
Skincare trends come and go. One day it’s all about DIY face masks made from the groceries in our kitchen, the next everyone is talking about the new advancement in skin science with lab-tested ingredients. While seven-step routines versus “skinimilism” are skincare trends worthy of debate, shopping with Black-owned beauty brands shouldn’t be one of them. These independent, and often ingredient-focused brands, go beyond trends and have prioritized quality ingredients long before it was the it thing to do.
From vitamin C serums that deliver a glowing complexion to eye masks that do more for tired eyes than a cup of cold brew, these are some of the best Black-owned skincare brands on the market—whether your skin is melanated or not. Keep reading to see which Black-owned skincare products you should add to your beauty cabinet.
1. BEAUTYSTAT
This innovative skincare line is praised by skincare experts and beauty lovers alike. Founded by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, the brand’s Universal C Skin Refiner moisturizer quickly became a top seller. The difference? Unlike many other vitamin C products, their 20 percent vitamin C is stabilized to maintain potency and improve penetration into the skin.
IPSY Pick: The Universal Moisture Essence provides all of the benefits of an oil without any greasy residue. It’s 100 percent pure squalane to improve skin elasticity, decrease the look of fine lines, and enhance the skin’s moisture barrier.
2. KNC BEAUTY
Get your front camera ready because the hydrating masks from this collection are definitely worthy of a few selfies. Kristen Noel Crawley was strolling through Don Quijote in Tokyo when she fell in love with a wall of lip masks, only to discover that there were no natural lip masks in the US market. After a few trials, she created the first all-natural, collagen-infused lip masks and has since expanded to eye masks, lip scrubs, and plumping lip balms.
IPSY Pick: Look alive with the All Eyes On Me all-natural, retinol-infused eye mask. The chemical-free formula uses retinol to refine texture and stimulate blood flow and aloe to soothe and reduce redness.
3. SHANI DARDEN SKINCARE
If results-driven skincare backed by science is your thing—look no further. Shani Darden trained as an esthetician under a dermatologist for several years before going out on her own. She developed a passion for creating products she couldn’t find and eventually began sending her clients home with custom-made formulas between visits, which ultimately led to her groundbreaking Retinol Reform serum. Loved by celebrities and everyday people alike, you can expect simple yet effective professional-grade products.
IPSY Pick: The product that started it all; the Retinol Reform serum is clinically proven to address anti-aging concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, and lack of firmness.
4. BUTTAH SKIN
BUTTAH SKIN uses the best of nature and science to tackle the issues that those with deep melanin face every day: oiliness, blemishes, dryness, and discoloration. The brand was founded in 2018 by Dorian Renaud who searched tirelessly to find skincare products that met his needs. The answer? Raw, organic, natural, shea—this transformative ingredient inspired him to create a collection of luxurious, efficacious skincare products and body butters that will leave your skin smooth from head to toe.
IPSY Pick: The Tea Tree & Aloe Exfoliating Scrub is a hero to dry, blemish-prone skin. The three-in-one mask, cleanser, and exfoliator has kaolin clay to smooth and detoxify, tea tree to tone and purify, aloe vera to naturally soothe and hydrate.
5. MARY LOUISE COSMETICS
Sensitive skin, rejoice! This accessible yet effective skincare brand was founded by Akilah Mary-Louise Releford with a focus on natural and organic ingredients. The goal? To make nourishing, clean beauty products that are fun and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re looking for a new refreshing cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, or an all-natural treatment mask, these easy-to-understand products are a great place to start.
IPSY Pick: No matter your skin type, the Miracle Serum has a great reputation for clearing stubborn hyperpigmentation, razor bumps, acne scars that just won’t fade. Use it wherever your problem areas are to smooth and hydrate.
6. ODE TO SELF
This minimalistic, multi-functional collection was founded by Kimberlee Alexandria-Day with the aspiration of helping self-identified “skincare junkies” simplify their routines. The simple, fragrance-free products target dry, sensitive skin with hydrating balms, oils, and essences for a healthy complexion.
IPSY Pick: The Bask 2-in-1 Cleansing Balm gently cleanses your skin with the clarifying benefits of salicylic acid to battle inflammation and promote healing. Best of all, it contains a myriad of nourishing oils so that it never leaves your skin feeling stripped or dry.
7. FENTY SKIN
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all of the skincare options out there, Rihanna made things simple when she created FENTY SKIN. With a simple cleanser, toning serum, and spf 30 moisturizer, your routine is ready to go.
IPSY Pick: For those that want to go beyond the standard daytime routine, add the Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream to your regimen. It hydrates and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles overnight for a refreshed look each day.
8. AYELE & CO
Makeup artist and esthetician Danielle Bahi founded AYELE & CO at just 21-years-old. She began formulating products at home with a focus on providing plant-based and cruelty-free skincare for all. Today, you can find an array of cleansers and serums that can cater to your dry, oily, sensitive or acne-prone skin.
IPSY Pick: The Sunflower Sweets Serum gets a standing ovation from users with all skin types. It tackles so many issues ranging from eczema to hyperpigmentation.
9. BEAUTY BAKERIE
This bakery-inspired cosmetics line is known for its playful brand identity, but the all-natural collection actually has a focus on cruelty-free, healthy ingredients. After founder Cashmere Nicole had a challenging battle with breast cancer in 2011, she set out to create a brand with ingredients you can feel good about while enhancing your beauty.
IPSY Pick: While Beauty Bakerie is a destination for quality makeup, we also can’t get enough of the Wake & Bake Hydrating Face Oil. The lightweight, non-comedogenic oil is full of antioxidants and absorbs easily into your skin, hair, nails, or lips!
10. DANESSA MYRICKS
Self-taught makeup artist Daness Myricks started her namesake brand after working in product development for global brands like KISS and BENEFIT COSMETICS. Each product is multifunctional and can work in several ways on all complexions. From skin prep to complexion correction and vibrant color products, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic collection.
IPSY Pick: This makeup brand gets a skincare nod from us for the Prism FX Hydrating Lotion. The lightweight, hydrating liquid is composed of squalane and vitamin E paired with multi-color micronized crystals for an illuminating effect. Use it alone for subtle color benefits or mix it with your foundation for a subtle glow.
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