45 Black-Owned Skincare Brands You Need to Know
Discover top Black-owned skincare brands transforming beauty with innovative, inclusive products for all skin tones and concerns.
The Black beauty community stands as a vital, innovative force in the cosmetics world, contributing groundbreaking products and philosophies that serve all skin tones, cultures, and concerns. Supporting Black-owned skincare brands means investing in diversity and the authentic expertise of Black cosmetic chemists, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Whether you are seeking high-performance face serums or nourishing body creams, these brands deliver solutions everyone can benefit from.
Why Support Black-Owned Skincare Brands?
- Promotes Diversity: Expands the industry narrative beyond mainstream beauty standards.
- Drives Innovation: Black-owned businesses frequently create products tailored to overlooked skin concerns like hyperpigmentation or sunscreen for melanin-rich skin.
- Ensures Representation: Supports founders and teams who understand the needs of diverse consumers firsthand.
- Benefits All Skin Types: Most formulas can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of complexion.
How These Brands Are Shaping Beauty
Many products from these brands focus on issues more prevalent in deeper skin tones, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dryness, and non-white-cast sun protection—but they’re designed to benefit everyone. Their approaches champion simplicity, efficacy, safety, and inclusion, setting new standards for the beauty industry.
Discover the Must-Try Black-Owned Skincare Brands
Below is a round-up of 45 exceptional Black-owned skincare brands. For each, you’ll find a brief introduction and a must-try product, perfect for elevating your skincare routine.
Karité
Founded by three sisters from Ghana, Karité focuses on lush, shea butter-based lip, hand, and body products packed with vitamins A, E, F, and essential fatty acids. Their ultra-hydrating formulas are beloved for nourishing all skin types.
Must-try product: Creme Corps Hydrating Body Cream
Buttah Skin
Dorion Renaud founded Buttah Skin in 2018, harnessing organic shea butter to address hyperpigmentation and dryness with potent, clean ingredients. Their products have a special focus on melanin-rich skin but work for everyone.
Must-try product: Whipped Body Butter
Klur
Created by aesthetician Lesley Thornton, Klur offers clean, ethical, and minimalist skincare, advocating for optimal skin health with sustainability and inclusion at its core.
Must-try product: Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask
AbsoluteJOI Skincare
Dr. Anne Beal launched AbsoluteJOI focusing on gentle, clinically proven formulas that prioritize simplicity and safety for healthy, glowing skin.
Must-try product: Skin Refining Night Oil
Black Girl Sunscreen
Founded by Shontay Lundy, Black Girl Sunscreen revolutionized sun care for people of color, offering sheer, non-whitening sunscreen that protects the skin without leaving an ashy cast. Its acclaim spans beauty influencers and dermatologists alike.
Must-try product: Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
The Importance of Inclusive Skincare Innovation
Brands featured in this guide prove that inclusive innovation changes lives and shifts industry norms. They deliver:
- Solutions for common conditions like scarring, cystic acne, and hyperpigmentation
- Safe, effective formulas rooted in tradition and scientific research
- Products that cater to both deep and light skin tones without compromise
Spotlight: Diverse Product Offerings
| Brand | Signature Ingredient | Key Skin Concern Addressed | Hero Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karité | Shea Butter | Nourishment & Hydration | Creme Corps Hydrating Body Cream |
| Buttah Skin | Raw Shea Butter | Dryness, Hyperpigmentation | Whipped Body Butter |
| Klur | Natural Botanicals | Skin Health, Purification | Supreme Seed Mask |
| AbsoluteJOI | Clinically-Tested Oils | Glowing Skin, Simplicity | Skin Refining Night Oil |
| Black Girl Sunscreen | Sheer Minerals | Sun Protection for Deep Skin | SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion |
Why These Brands Matter (For All Skin Types)
It’s a misnomer to think Black-owned brands only serve Black or Brown skin. While they certainly focus on concerns often overlooked by mainstream beauty—like making sunscreen truly invisible or addressing pigmentation issues with more nuance—most of their products are crafted for universal skin health.
What others are reading
- Sunscreens don’t leave a white cast and protect all skin types.
- Serums and oils work for people dealing with cystic acne, sensitive skin, or scarring, regardless of skin color.
- Creams and cleansers fit into any routine focused on hydration, barrier repair, or clarity.
Shop Consciously, Support Change
The list of 45 brands is a starting point—not an endpoint. By choosing these companies for your skincare routine, you invest in a thriving, equitable industry. You also uplift founders whose work not only follows but often pioneers beauty trends and research.
How to Choose the Right Skincare Brand?
Whether you’re looking to solve a specific skin issue or want to build a routine around safe, ethically-sourced products, start by:
- Identifying your skin type and concerns (dryness, pigmentation, sensitivity, aging, acne, etc.)
- Seeking natural, clinically proven ingredients (shea butter, botanicals, antioxidant-rich oils)
- Supporting companies led by experts and passionate founders
Extending Your Support Beyond These Brands
The beauty industry is shifting, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of securing investment and regular support for Black-owned businesses. Extensions of this guide include overall Black-owned beauty brands (including fast-shipping options via Amazon and expanded offerings of makeup, haircare, and fragrance).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Black-owned skincare brands only for people of color?
No. While many products target melanin-rich skin, the formulations are developed for all complexions and concerns. Everyone can benefit from their advanced, gentle, and nourishing ingredients.
Why are Black-owned brands important in the beauty industry?
They drive innovation, promote inclusivity, and ensure that solutions for diverse skin concerns are widely available. Supporting these brands pushes for industry equity and better representation.
What are some common ingredients used in Black-owned skincare products?
Popular ingredients include shea butter, natural botanical oils, antioxidants, and gentle clinical actives—chosen for their nourishing and protective properties across all skin types.
How can I support these brands beyond buying products?
Share your experiences online, recommend brands to friends, engage with their content, and follow founders who advocate for diversity and change. Investment and representation matter, even outside of your purchase.
Where can I find more Black-owned beauty brands?
Explore extended guides online, including directories featuring businesses with fast delivery and specialty products beyond skincare, and look for reputable lists from leading publications and industry insiders.
Meet the Experts Behind the Guide
- Hannah – Cosmopolitan’s Shopping Editor, curates everything from skincare recommendations to trending decor.
- Lauren Balsamo – Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan, drawing from over a decade of expertise and content creation.
- Nashia Baker – Commerce Editor, focused on highlighting creative entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Routine, Champion Inclusivity
Investing in Black-owned skincare brands means more than just buying effective products. It’s an opportunity to reshape the industry, encourage innovation, and expand the conversation around beauty. With over 45 diverse options to explore, everyone can discover something uniquely suited to their skincare needs—and take part in driving real change through conscious shopping.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g33970294/black-owned-skincare-brands/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65450243/open-letter-to-beauty-industry-black-owned-brands/
- https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/cosmopolitan-names-westminster-alumnas-company-as-one-of-17-black-owned-beauty-brands-everyone-should-know-about
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymAnhp6nPRw
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/gallery/black-owned-beauty-brands-to-empower
- https://www.organicbath.co/blogs/blog/organic-bath-co-named-black-owned-beauty-brand-here-to-slay
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