What are the Best Skin Care Products for Black Skin?

The best skin care products for black skin depend upon what your Baumann Skin Type is. The only difference between black skin, brown skin and white skin is the amount of melanin pigment. This makes your skin more likely to have dark spots and an uneven skin tone. You need to know what barriers to skin health you have in order to properly identify and treat all of your skin concerns.

You may have inflammation, dehydration, and aging issues as well. Step 1 to finding the best products is to let us give you advice specifically for your Baumann Skin Type.

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What skin concerns does black skin have that are different than other skin colors?

The differences in melanin in black skin gives skin a unique set of skin care concerns. Issues that are different in black skin are:

Ashy skin- this occurs because of how dry skin looks as light passes through it over melanin pigment. the light reflection gives a grey ashy look.

Sagging skin- black skin is more likely to sag than wrinkle.

Large pores- Light absorption and reflection can make pores appear larger than they are

Skin is perceived as oilier.

Note that it is a myth that dark skin is oilier than lighter skin types. We have data on over 200,000 patients and have found that sebum secretion rates are the same in dark and lighter skin tones. However, the oil on the skin can be more visible and reflect light more on darker skin types leading to the perception of oilier skin.

To learn more about skin care routines for skin of color, click here.

To get the best, most personalized skin care routine and skin care advice for black skin, it’s essential to know your Baumann Skin Type® in order to shop for skin care and put together a skin care routine.

Take the Quiz

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Best Skin Care products for Black Skin

Black skin needs by skin concern:

Uneven pigmentation or dark spots will require skin care products with skin lightening ingredients

Inflammation, redness and rashes require a skin care products with soothing ingredients

Dry ashy skin will need a barrier repair moisturizer

Acne needs acne treatment products

What is the Best Cleanser for Black Skin?

Darker skin types are no more oily than lighter skin types, but the sebum (oil) may show more because of the light reflection from the melanin. This is why many people with darker skin tones believe they have oily skin but are wrong about their skin type. This can lead them to choose the wrong skin care routine- especially the wrong cleanser.

Using the wrong cleanser when you have black skin can lead to:

Ashy skin.

Inflammation

Eczema

Rashes

Cleansers directly affect how dry your skin is, so it is important to choose the best cleanser for your skin of color. The cleanser that you choose for your skin should be matched to your Baumann Skin Type.

If you have black skin that is oily, the best cleansers for oily skin have salicylic acid.

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If you have black skin that is dry skin, the best cleansers for dry skin have fatty acids to strengthen your skin’s ability to hold onto water.

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What is the Best Scrub for Black Skin?

Facial scrubs and body scrubs remove the lighter top layer of dull dead skin cells to leave skin with a smooth texture that reflects light leaving skin radiant. This is called exfoliation.

The best way to treat dull skin and ashy skin is with an exfoliating scrub and a moisturizer that are right for your Baumann Skin Type.

These are our favorite exfoliators for black skin:

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

What is the Best Toner for Black Skin?

The best toner for black skin really depends on any underlying skin concerns you may have. It is always best to know your Baumann Skin Type because you can shop skin care products by your Baumann Skin Type.

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What is the Best Vitamin C Serum for Black Skin?

Do black skin types need Vitamin C? Yes— they do! Most people with black skin do not wear sunscreen every day (although they should!).

The sun causes the skin cells to make pigment unevenly leading to uneven skin color of the face. Vitamin C serums can help even the skin tone and prevent sagging skin. Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are an essential skin care product to soothe and decrease any inflammation, which can be a primary cause of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone in black skin. Vitamin C is the best antioxidant ingredient for dark skin because it also regulates skin pigmentation. There are many good Vitamin C serums for hyperpigmentation. Click this link to find Vitamin C serums for all skin types.

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$25.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$25.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

$44.99

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum

$140.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%

$189.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex

$125.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

$25.99

Out of Stock

ISDIN Flavo-C

$100.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules

$46.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules

$46.00

Add to Cart

ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum

$160.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

$54.99

Add to Cart

What is the Best Skin Lightening Cream for Black Skin With Uneven Skin Tone?

You need to treat inflammation as well as the dark spots on the skin. Make sure you do not use a skin lightening product that irritates your skin because that will make the dark areas of the skin even darker.

A common cause of dark spots on the skin in all skin colors is inflammation caused by an injury, blemish or sun exposure. In black skin, the pink of the inflammation is often masked by the skin’s melanin and the inflammation goes unnoticed and untreated. This leads to an uneven skin tone. You can actually see the pink inflammation under the skin with a special camera even though the inflammation is not visible to the naked eye. Inflammation stimulates the melanin-producing cells in the skin to release excessive pigment. The uneven distribution of melanin pigment leads to dark spots on the skin. When selecting a skin care product to treat hyperpigmentation or dark spots on skin of color, there are a number of ingredients to look out for.

You can find a list of skin lightening ingredients here.

The best skin lightening cream for black skin or darker skin types depends upon your skin type.

Take the Quiz

What is the Best Moisturizer for Black Skin?

An effective moisturizer is essential regardless of your skin color. Click here to learn more about how moisturizers work.

You must choose a moisturizer based on your sin type because there are many issues to consider such as:

How much oil (sebum) your skin produces

Are you allergic to any skin care ingredients?

What cleanser are you using because this will effect the type of moisturizer that is best for you

If you are going to use a skin lightener, you need a moisturizer with unsaturated fatty acids in it.

Do you need anti-inflammatory ingredients in the moisturizer?

Do you need antiaging ingredients in the moisturizer?

The final word

If you have dark skin, no matter what your Baumann Skin Type is, using a sunscreen daily is essential! It keeps your skin even toned, prevents inflammation and aging. Even though your skin doesn’t seem to burn, the sun can still cause damage which leads to an uneven skin tone and premature sagging. We recommend using an SPF of at least factor 15 every day on any sun exposed areas, but especially the face and neck.

The best thing you can do for your skin is to shop by your Baumann Skin Type. This will save you time and money and you can choose from many brands with the confidence that the products are the best for your black skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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