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.
