Top 10 Black-Owned Skincare Brands To Celebrate in 2023

Founded by actor and musician Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin is a black-owned skincare brand that offers high-quality products specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin. They are committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in the beauty industry while providing effective solutions for common skincare concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and dryness. 

If you want a petal-soft complexion, why not use the ultimate petals in your skincare? Buttah Skin’s AHA/BHA Rosewater Toner is an innovative multi-function toner and exfoliator that refreshes as it cleanses your skin. There’s a naturally light and therapeutic scent that comes from the sensitive skin-firendly Damascus Rose and Lavender blend to calm your mood and your skin. The AHAs and BHAs in this toner balance excess oil while preventing breakout-causing bacteria from clogging pores.

To keep melanin skin glowing, you need natural ingredients that can nourish your skin. The Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream is a super-charged formula with a powerful combo of vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil, an essential fatty acid blend of cocoa and shea butter, and skin super hydrator hyaluronic acid. With regular use, you’ll notice skin that bounces back with a smoother texture and more youthful glow. From fine lines and wrinkles to age spots and dark marks, this lightweight cream can help you brighten your complexion while keeping your skin happy and healthy.

As a Black-owned skincare brand co-founded by Marie Kouadio and Alice Lin, EADEM (pronounced ee-dem) is all about embracing diverse skin tones with the best ingredients and curated to provide inclusive clean skincare products made by women of color who are chemists, dermatologists, and natural beauty experts.  

Hyperpigmentation is truly the bane of our existence when it comes to keeping melanin skin even and clear. Stubborn dark spots and post-acne marks can be so difficult to heal and can take months to fade completely. That’s what EADEM’s Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum was made for! Powered by Smart Melanin™ Technology, this non-comedogenic serum blends niacinamide to smooth rough texture and encapsulated vitamin C to boost brightness back into your skin. These natural ingredients also boost collagen production which builds your glow up daily. Amber algae protect your skin’s moisture barrier while tropical fruit enzymes gently resurface skin without irritation.

Who doesn’t want their skin to feel like a balanced and moisturized cushiony cloud? With a 3-plant ceramide formula to restore your skin barrier (that’s what gives you that highly complimented smooth glow!) and Tetrapeptide-30 (the peptides prevent dark spots in the first place!), it’s no surprise this dermatologist-tested and -approved Cloud Cushion Airy Brightening Moisturizer by EADEM is ideal for all skin types including combination, acne-prone, oily, and dry textures. Niacinamide smooths and minimizes the appearance of large pores and soothes sensitized skin. The plush-to-the-touch texture sinks in without residue and leaves you with velvety, bouncy, supple skin.

Cay Skin highlights how important suncare is for skincare for all skin types and every skin tone. They focus on providing silicone-free, cruelty-free, and reef-friendly products that are dermatologist-tested for the most sensitive skin. The custom blend in every one of their vegan skincare products is island-inspired with high-quality ingredients like sea moss and niacinamide for radiant melanin-rich skin that glows in and out of the sun.

Your lips deserve nourishing treatments, too! That’s why Cay Skin’s Deepwater Nourishing Lip Mask with Sea Moss and Aloe Stem Cells is getting so popular! This ultra-soothing (and non-sticky!) lip mask is packed with brightening hibiscus extract, hydrating aloe stem cells, and nutrient-rich sea moss. The natural malic acid in hibiscus extract softens your lips while fighting free radicals with its high antioxidant content. The aloe stem cells soothe any irritation and sea moss helps to build a protective barrier for the delicate skin on your lips. It’s also deliciously infused with a warm vanilla and brown sugar flavor for a real sweet treat of softness and shine. 

Who doesn’t want an island glow? Cay Skin created their Isle Glow Face Moisturizer with SPF 45 to help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays while you look like you spent hours soaking in them. The sea moss and niacinamide are a nutrient-rich hydration combo that replenishes moisture levels and visibly smooths your skin tone. The unique nude pearl blend gives a glow-boosting effect, which applies to all skin tones without a white or silver cast. And there are no free radicals welcome in your vacation no-makeup look with the infusion of vitamins and antioxidants that block free radicals and blue light.

Topicals is a black-owned skincare brand founded by two women, Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, on a mission to create effective and scientifically-proven (not to mention peer-reviewed) skincare products for common conditions while advocating for mental health. Top-rated products like their Faded Serum and Like Butter Mask have gained popularity for their innovative formulas and inclusive messaging.

Hyperpigmentation is no joke for medium to darker skin tones. It’s a struggle to heal from acne and blemishes, let alone get the post-blemish dark spots and discoloration to fade. That’s why Topicals created their flagship Faded Serum to help melanated skin get back their even tone and radiant glow. The powerful combination of tranexamic acid and azelaic acid gets deep into those layers of hyperpigmentation to break up the discoloration and gently brighten new skin. The dermatologist-tested serum has niacinamide to visibly smooth and plump your complexion. It’s safe and gentle enough for all skin tones and ethnicities for everyday use and you should see visible results in as little as two weeks.https://www.sephora.com/product/topicals-faded-serum-for-dark-spots-discoloration-P470259?skuId=2457042&icid2=products%20grid:p470259:product

Not every mask is suitable for every skin type and a lot of popular ones may actually make your sensitive skin worse, leading to dark marks and rough texture. Clay masks can be great to balance oily skin, but what about other skin types? Topicals created their Like Butter Mask especially for dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin, which is more common than you realize in melanin-rich skin. The skin-loving blend of colloidal oatmeal, Centella Asiatica, and ceramides helps soothe irritation, replenish your skin’s natural moisture barrier, and protect against environmental stressors and allergens. 

54 Thrones has made its mark in the skincare industry with an appearance on the TV show Shark Tank and selected as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. Founder Christina Funke Tegbe drew inspiration from the richness, diversity, and cultures of the African continent and its people. These luxurious products are handmade with ethically sourced ingredients designed to promote healthy and naturally radiant skin while celebrating the beauty in African culture using its botanicals and ancient beauty rituals.

African Shea Butter is a staple in the Black community for a good reason. The naturally rich butter is a multi-purpose solution for dry, cracked skin. You can use this as a lip balm, hand and body butter, and face moisturizer. The luxurious shea butter, baobab oil, and jojoba oil blend is ideal for dry and dehydrated skin because of the essential fatty acid content and antioxidant levels. Inspired by ancestral traditions, this butter is formulated to soften and smooth your skin for hours on end. It comes in five naturally scented butters inspired by unique aromas found in various African countries, including Ugandan Vanilla and Ethiopian Honey and Egyptian Lavendar and Morrcooan Mint.

This Black Soap Detox Bar is a centuries-old African tradition that has proven benefits for melanated skin tones across cultures. 54 Thrones created this Alata Samina: Black Soap Detox Bar to firm and tone texture for a more supple and glowing appearance. It’s a godsend for fading dark marks and preventing discoloration. The soap has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce skin irritations and soothe dryness. The ashes in the black soap serve are a gentle yet effective exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and rejuvenates rough skin – even if you have sensitive skin. 

Created in 2019, CEO and Founder Desiree Verdejo created this dynamic black-owned skincare brand with a mission to provide high-quality, affordable, and effective skincare products for people of color. Hyper! Skin prides itself on being a “modern clinical brand motivated by the disappointment of yesterday’s skincare options” for people of color.

A vitamin C serum is a holy grail item you can’t afford to live without if you struggle with dark marks, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. The results speak for themselves and Hyper!Skin’s Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum is a highly recommended contender. The hydroquinone-free vitamin C serum is packed with superstar ingredients like hyaluronic acid and kojic acid, which work together to nourish, exfoliate, and fade dark spots. The formula is also vegan and cruelty-free with naturally derived ingredients like anti-inflammatory turmeric and anti-bacterial salicylic acid to prevent future breakouts and give you a dewy, hydrated appearance.

This gel cleanser brings the exfoliating power of mandelic acid and the brightening results of licorice root to your skincare routine. This is a gentle cleanser that holds essential moisture in and dead skin and keeps bacteria out. The bearberry is full of antioxidants that halt the overproduction of melanin to stave off dark spots and rough texture. The willow bark is the natural derivative for salicylic acid, so it’ll still exfoliate without being too harsh. 

Rihanna has gifted us with another accessible luxury product line with Fenty Skin. As a pop icon and beauty mogul, she’s on a mission to bring smart skincare to every skin tone. The range of high-quality skincare products from cleansers to sunscreens that cater to a diverse range of skin types and concerns while prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity in both products and packaging.

Who knew that cookies n’ cream could actually be good for your skin? At least this version of it by Fenty Skin. This fragrance-free mask combines clay, charcoal, and salicylic acid to help clarify your skin and restore that healthy glow. The Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Pore Detox Face Mask is a whipped clay with encapsulated charcoal to detoxify pores and absorb excess oil while salicylic acid clarifies pores and smooths out your skin’s texture. It has been tested on all skin types, so sensitive skin gets the all-clear…literally. It may be named after an edible treat, but your skin will reap the benefits of this easy-to-use mask.

Everyone needs an instant reset every once in a while. That’s why Rihanna created this Instant Reset Brightening Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream to help you get glowing when you need to get things going. Kalahari melon oil, also known as wild watermelon, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help lock in moisture. The lightweight gel-cream also combines the skin-beautifying powers of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera extract to really brighten that melanated skin. There is a clean, fresh scent inspired by tropical fruits and flowers that is both subtle and refreshing. 

From singing to skincare, Keys Soulcare founder Alicia Keys created this harmonious skincare brand that offers luxury ingredients formulated in a clean, natural formula that promotes self-care and self-love. Fair Trade Certified and American Board of Dermatology Certified, this brand focuses on balancing skin-nourishing ingredients nad soul-nurturing rituals for melanated skin. 

This Keys Soulcare skincare product is both a physical and chemical exfoliator that was developed in partnership with a board-certified dermatologist, so you know it’s gentle yet effective for your skin concerns. The water-activated formula is non-stripping and buffs away dullness and rough texture with powerful exfoliators like antioxidant-rich hojicha powder and hydrating AHA lactic acid. The  mung beans play a role to provide an extra level of fermented exfoliation while the gentle oats calm your skin before any irritation can happen. The coolest part? The powder transforms into a creamy foam with microgranules that restore radiance and softness from the first use.

Who doesn’t want their skin to feel balanced in perfect harmony? This luxurious Harmony Mask by Keys Soulcare has natural ingredients that work with your skin to balance any dry or oily, irritated or dehydrated, and acne or hyperpigmented areas. The Manuka Honey is the coveted superstar here as it draws moisture deep into your skin. Activated charcoal purifies and balances oily skin while luxurious gold foil restores harmony to your skin and your self-care routine. This gentle mask was developed alongside a board-certified dermatologist and has a beautiful sandalwood fragrance that soothes the senses and calms the nerves. 

Founded by the esthetician to the stars, Shani Darden has found the key to clean and potent formulas to help clients achieve healthy, glowing skin. The black-owned skincare brand uses simple yet effective high-quality skincare solutions with culturally inspired blends of skin-loving ingredients.

Sake is an acquired taste, but you  don’t have to wait too long to  get your skin acclimated to this toning essence. Shani Darden Skin Care’s Sake Toning Essence is an alcohol-free formula that uses the power of sake water to brighten and soften your skin with rose cannina fruit extract, also known as sebocytin, to control oil production and reduce the appearance of large pores. Vitamin B3, or niacinamide, smooths rough skin texture and evens out skin tone. Unlike other essences, this gentle formula effectively tones without harsh alcohol and is ideal for normal, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Retinol can be your skin superhero for melanin-rich skin, but only when you find the right formula. Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum is a cult favorite for that very reason. It’s clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while visibly firming and brightening to a more youthful, radiant glow. The encapsulated retinol strengthens elasticity and smooths texture without irritation. Thanks to the addition of AHAs and antioxidant-rich apple fruit extract, you’ll have a great defense against environmental pollution and other signs of aging along with effective exfoliation and a more even skin tone in as little as two weeks. 

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, MD has over two decades of skin health expertise and helping patients find what works to get healthier skin. The products focus on a diverse range of skin types and concerns, including hyperpigmentation, dullness, anti-aging, and more with every product infused with a superfruit extract blend native to her home island of Jamaica.

If you’re looking for a new exfoliating toner that’s still gentle on your skin, Rose Ingleton MD created one of their most popular skincare products – the SuperFruit Exfoliating Tonic 8% AHA Solution. This powerful alcohol-free solution was developed by dermatologists and specially formulated with glycolic acid to resurface skin and licorice root extract to target excess pigmentation in melanin-rich skin tones. The proprietary Jamaican SuperFruit Blend adds a boost of nutrients your skin will thank you for along with fruit acids and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration to maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Who doesn’t want a brighter complexion? This literal Complexion Brightening Booster Serum by Rose Ingleton MD contains citric acid (aka, vitamin C) and malic acid to exfoliate and then brighten your skin as hyaluronic acid and peptides support collagen production for healthier and more youthful-looking skin. Their patented Jamaican SuperFruit Blend contains skin-nourishing extracts like sugarcane, lemon, orange, bilberry, and sugar maple for a gentle and easy-to-use serum that re-texturizes and brightens any discoloration for a glowing complexion.