Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Long before 40 shades became the gold standard and historically white-centric brands touted inclusivity and diversity, Black women were the only ones meeting the oft-overlooked needs of our community. They were the only ones with shade ranges, cast-free sunscreens, and a catalog to define “nude.” We must continue to strive for diversity and inclusivity within the beauty industry and support the companies by us and for us who are doing the tireless work to spotlight, enrich, and highlight all that is wonderfully Black and beautiful.
Keep scrolling for 33 skincare brands to shop—all owned by Black women.
A post shared by LUV SCRUB® (@luvscrub)
We love a brand with a clear mission, and Luv Scrub has not veered off course since it launched a few years ago. These mesh wash clothes shake up everything you thought you knew about exfoliating in the shower. Each one is long enough to slough even tough-to-reach places like your back, and comes in an assortment of gorgeous colors to match any bathroom scheme.
Editor’s Pick: Mesh Body Exfoliator, Naked Sunset, $18
A post shared by Karité (@mykarite)
Three Ghanaian sisters, one of whom is a dermatologist, created Karité (French for “shea butter”) with, you guessed it, shea butter as its hero ingredient. The moisture-rich formulas look to high concentrations of raw ingredients to help heal and moisturize skin. The family oversees all oil sourcing for its product to prevent deforestation or harm to the animals in West Africa.
Editor’s Pick: Crème Mains Karité Shea Butter, $36
A post shared by L’Beauxtique | Wellness (@lbeauxtique)
Certified aromatherapist Denise LaPalm founded L'Beauxtique to help us destress. The brand’s two-product lineup taps specialized blends of essential oils to help calm the mind, body, and spirit.
Editor’s Pick: Evening Body Serum, $69
A post shared by Caring for Melanin-Rich Skin (@absolutejoi)
Absolute Joi was birthed by pediatrician Anne Beal who created the line to help soothe her daughters’ skin breakouts. Specifically made to target concerns that taunt skin of color, Absolute Joi offers a complete range of products including cleansers, a toner, retinol, and sunscreen.
Editor’s Pick: Hydrating Gel Foam Cleanser, $37
A post shared by The Tsuri Company™️ (@thetsuricompany)
The goal of Tsuri is to make self-care more than just an occasional practice. Founder Ashli Goudelock has a background in product formulation and created the range to deliver a spa-like experience without harsh ingredients like synthetic fragrances, colorants, and sulfates.
Editor’s Pick: Cashmere + Vanilla Body Oil Bar, $30
A post shared by Katini Skin (@katiniskin)
Newly launched company Katini is all about a glow-up. The baby brand just launched in 2022 with four face oils, all made with minimal but potent ingredients pulled straight from founder Katini Yamaoka’s Japanese, African, and Australian roots.
Editor’s Pick: Clarity Face Oil, $95
A post shared by Mineral Sunscreens For All (@unsuncosmetics)
Founder Katonya Breaux, like many Black people, was often left disappointed by the dearth of clean sunscreen products for our skin. Breaux created Unsun in 2016 to provide often overlooked skin tones with clean, non-toxic, and non-ashy sunscreen.
Editor’s Pick: Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen In “Medium/Dark”, $29
A post shared by Shani Darden (@shanidarden)
Esthetician to some of your favorite stars (Shay Mitchell, Kelly Rowland, Jessica Alba), Shani Darden delivers results—and her products are no different. From the cult-favorite Retinl Reform to the Face Sculpting Tool, Shani Darden Skincare provides simple but effective products that give us our healthiest skin possible.
Editor’s Pick: Retinol Reform, $88
A post shared by Buttah Skin (@buttahskin)
As the name suggests, Buttah Skin’s products leave your skin feeling as soft as butter. Founded in 2018 by Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin is built around shea butter to nourish your skin while proving feel-good ingredients for healthy, glowing skin.
Editor’s Pick: Buttah Vibe + Cleanse Kit, $50
A post shared by Bolden Skin Care (@boldenusa)
Created for Black women, by Black women, Bolden is the skin savior you never knew you needed. One common skincare struggle Black women face is hyperpigmentation, which is why founders Ndidi Obidoa and Chinelo Chidozie created products that brighten skin and face hyperpigmentation.
Editor’s Pick: Bolden Clear Skin Kit, $89
A post shared by ROSEN Skincare (@rosenskincare)
Skincare shouldn’t be complicated. Fed up with the beauty industry’s lack of innovation and skincare products catering to Black skin, Jamika Martin found a way to simplify your routine. Enter: Rosen, a skincare brand with fun, targeted products that work for all skin tones and textures.
Editor’s Pick: Tropics Toner, $18
A post shared by 54 Thrones (@54thrones)
Inspired by her childhood growing up in Nigeria, Tegbe launched 54 Thrones to explore the beauty and authenticity of Africa culture and beauty secrets.
Editor’s Pick: Osun African Beauty Mist, $42
We want to thank you so much for the patience as we work on fulfilling orders .We are so grateful for your love and support throughout these years and we will be back next week with the products you love! #brb #stayindoors #stayin #skincareobssesed #skincarelove #loveyourskin #glowingskin #skincareessentials #takecareofyourskin #blackownedatl #blackfemaleowned #femaleownedbiz #femaleownedbrand #shopfemaleowned #blackownedskincare #skinfluencer #lifechangingskincare #skincareaddicts #ayeleandco
A post shared by A Y E L E ™ | Natural Skincare (@ayeleandco) on May 22, 2020 at 9:05am PDT
Licensed esthetician and makeup artist Danielle Bahi started Ayele & Co., formerly known as Bahi Cosmetics, from her college dorm room at the tender age of 21. Although the Ivory Coast native created the brand to provide affordable, plant-based skincare for all, it’s especially popular among acne-prone individuals for its cult favorite Sunflower Sweets Serum. The Before and Afters speak for themselves.
Editor’s Pick: Sunflower Sweets Serum, $17
Have a glowy day, beauties! #gethyper #hyperskinw
A post shared by Hyper Skin (@gethyperskin) on Feb 10, 2020 at 8:09am PST
While pregnant with her daughter, Desiree Verdejo struggled to reduce extensive hyperpigmentation caused by a bout of hormonal acne. Unable to find a product that performed, she created her own solution with a vitamin C serum infused with kojic acid, turmeric, and bearberry.
Editor’s Pick: Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum, $36 SHOP NOW
After a full day of wearing makeup and being exposed to environmental elements like air pollution, reach for a cleanser that is effective yet gentle on your skin.🌿 - We recommend the Micellar Cleansing Water from #MarlaReneSkincare that is loaded with soothing ingredients like cucumber, chamomile and calendula extracts which will leave your skin glowing! ShopBLKGRN 🌿
A post shared by BLK+GRN (@blkandgrn) on Apr 16, 2019 at 4:31am PDT
Blk + Grn is a mecca for black-owned products for skin, body, makeup, and hair. This one-stop shop only houses clean, toxic-free beauty products to ensure whatever product touches your body is the best of the best—like Marla Rene’s Micellar Cleansing Water. Doubling as a makeup remover and cleanser, it’s formulated with cucumber, vitamin B5, and calendula to restore hydration to dry, damaged skin.
Editor’s Pick: Marla Rene Micellar Cucumber Aloe Facial Cleansing Water, $22 SHOP NOW
I was in a yoga class this week and the instructor addressed the room with an honesty I’d never heard before in a yoga studio. • She said her goal for 2020 was “heart forward”, approaching the year without the fear of being rejected, worrying if she’s weird, or if she’ll be accepted. This was the message throughout, as we worked through heart forward poses. At the end she says ‘I’m uncomfortable with self love. I’m just not there yet. So I’m leaning into self acceptance.” • We’re bombarded with these messages that everything must be enveloped in love, but sometimes life has handed you acceptance, and maybe that too is perfectly fine. As you are beautiful people. As you are. • #selfcare #sundayscaries #selflove #growth #womenempowerment
A post shared by OUI the People (@ouithepeople) on Jan 5, 2020 at 2:03pm PST
Karen Young, founder of Oui the People, was forbidden from reading beauty magazines growing up. Why? She thinks her mother felt their content showcased a damaging ideal of beauty. Oui the People is dedicated to producing bodycare with mindful messaging that rejects perfection and champions individuality.
Editor’s Pick: Hydrating Body Gloss, $65 SHOP NOW
Respect the complexion ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼! #ProtectTheMelanin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: @mahogany.amour, @nicooooooooo_
A post shared by BlackGirlSunscreen (@blackgirlsunscreen) on Oct 2, 2019 at 9:02am PDT
Shontay Lundy changed the sunscreen game for women of color by creating a non-white cast formula infused with nurturing avocado oil and jojoba oils, cacao, and carrot juice.
Editor’s Pick: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30, $19
A post shared by skinBUTTR✨ (@skinbuttr)
If you’ve been following model Tatiana Elizabeth Price, you’ll notice girl loves a sun-kissed vacation glow. That’s all her body care brand Skin Buttr. Free of any harmful ingredients, Skin Buttrs’ body butters use whipped shea at the base to nourish and condition the skin. Oh, and the Gingr Lemon scrub smells DIVINE.
Editor’s Pick: Gingr Lemon Scrub, $8-25
#PholkFam Review: "Since I wear makeup like EVERYDAY for work, I worried about my skin breaking out but my sister recommended this face wash and when I say this stuff is AMAZING..YALL😭. I noticed a huge difference in like a few days NO CAP, I have combination skin so it was always hard to find the right face wash for me. I HIGHLY recommend this product 💜💜" - @msdavis__ Thank you for your review!! This is our Daily Detox Face Wash for oily/combo/acne prone skin! It's one of our best selling products for a reason. Natural ingredients like Kalahari Watermelon Seed Oil from South Africa dissolves acne-causing sebum and dirt from pores. And Somali White Frankincense restores balance to irritated or inflamed areas.
A post shared by Pholk Beauty (@pholkbeauty) on May 27, 2020 at 11:17am PDT
Founder Niambi Cacchioli founded Pholk with a mission to harness the African Diaspora’s beauty traditions into a plant-based skincare brand that celebrates women of color.
Editor’s Pick: Glow Replenishing Face Wash, $2o SHOP NOW
start every day with moisturized skin + a fresh, healthy glow✨ what are you looking forward to this weekend, beauties?
A post shared by Hanahana Beauty (@hanahana_beauty) on May 23, 2020 at 12:13pm PDT
Hanahana ethically sources its shea butter-based products from the Katariga Women in Tamale, Ghana.
Editor’s Pick: Vanilla Lavender Shea Body Butter, $7
Come see me in person THIS Sun, Nov 19th @goodgoodsmarket 121 Prince St. in Soho from 12:30-2pm! The collection will be in shop until Nov 30th, come through! ✨💛
A post shared by ABA LOVE APOTHECARY ™ (@abaloveapothecary) on Nov 16, 2017 at 1:07pm PST
New York-based skincare brand Aba Love creates handcrafted botanical products perfect for the green beauty lover. The aromatic goods are free of synthetic fragrances and parabens, instead boosted with seed, plant, and floral oils.
Editor’s Pick: Aba Love Flower Crown Facial Serum, $21
Skincare Sunday ft. our Sweet Almond Cleansing Balm 🧖🏿♀️✨💫 Shop now @target .com! 🎯 #glowgetter #thebestfoundationishealthyskin
A post shared by nyakio™ (neh-kay-oh) (@nyakiobeauty) on May 17, 2020 at 9:19am PDT
Nyakio Kamoche Grieco started her namesake skincare line, Nyakio, in response to the lack of beauty products using ingredients from her homeland of Kenya, like Mafura oil. Her line is also full of ingredients from around the world, like Maracuja oil and Yangu that work to hydrate dry skin.
Editor’s Pick: Maracuja & Yangu Rescue Oil, $40 SHOP NOW
Skin goals 🙌🏾 📸// @nikoriam as seen by @anyaholdstock . . . #pieceofkaike #skincare #selfcare #plantbasedbeauty #greenbeauty #cleanbeauty #veganbeauty #blackgirlbeauty #naturalbeauty #indiebeauty #naturalhair #blackowned #blackgirlmagic #melanin #shopblack #shopchicago #shopsmall #chicago
A post shared by KAIKE (@shopkaike) on Apr 29, 2020 at 4:00am PDT
Using clean, simple ingredients, Kaike aims to address the complex skincare issues Black people endure daily. Dry skin or hair? Kaike’s signature Frosting is a creamy cocktail of mango butter, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, and more. Chapped lips? Not with Kaike’s Lip Frosting, which softens the skin with castor oil, mango butter, and coconut oil. Ashy who?
Editor’s Pick: Kaike Marshmallow Mask + Scrub, $20
Hello Asheville! I’ll be coming to @thebigcrafty 💕The Big Crafty this Sunday July 15th at Pack Square Park from 12-7:30. 🌼 150+ carefully selected artists, crafters and makers, there will be local brews, cupcakes from Short Street Cakes, Buchi Kombucha, MacDaddy’s Organic Lemonade, live music (6-7:30pm), demos, Splashville and general creative camaraderie. It's all free and fun for all ages! See you there🌷 #honeycleanser #organicskincare #skincare #organic #naturalproducts #organicserum #naturalforlife #dailyskincare #sideskincare #organicscrub #naturalskincare #honey #skincareroutine #greenbeauty #cleanser #bestserum #thebigcrafty #detoxmask #detox #naturalbeauty #beautyblogger #skincareproducts #instagram #organicbeauty #shop #annesapothecary
A post shared by Anne’s Apothecary™️ ✨ (@annesapothecary) on Jul 12, 2018 at 9:05am PDT
Anne’s Apothecary’s philosophy is “what you put on your skin should be safe enough to eat”—so you better believe the ingredients are pure. The products, created in North Carolina, are handcrafted in small batches with a focus on herbs and essential oils. You can shop everything from body scrubs and cleansers, to deodorant.
Editor’s Pick: Anne’s Apothecary Black Honey Facial Cleanser, $10
Together, we must stand. We are deeply saddened by the death of #georgefloyd and continued oppression of our community. Text FLOYD to 55156 to sign the petition to bring all four officers responsible for his death to justice. We know that you like to see pretty, carefree images on our feed but the stakes are too high for our people to stay silent. We hope you will join the cause, together we can and will make a change 💗
A post shared by KNC BEAUTY® (@kncbeauty) on May 30, 2020 at 6:22am PDT
Kristen Noel Crowley, influencer, mom, and former ELLE contributor, launched her beauty brand three years ago with a collection that includes lip and eye masks as well as lip scrubs and balm.
Editor’s Pick: Collagen-Infused Lip Masks, set of five for $25
3 STEP CLEANSING 1. Botanical Cleansing Lotion OR Chamomile Facial Wash 2. Firming Toner 3. Hydrating Mango Creme OR Protective Jojoba Moisturizer . Visit ellejohnson.co to determine which regimen best works for your skin type.
A post shared by Elle Johnson Co. (@ellejohnson.co) on Aug 7, 2018 at 5:47pm PDT
Elle Johnson is all about no-fuss, easy-to-follow botanical skincare starting with the “Clear 3,” a skincare system of 1) cleansing lotion (yes, lotion), 2) toner, and 3) moisturizer. It doesn’t hurt that Johnson, who used to work in branding, has gorgeous Insta-ready packaging.
Editor’s Pick: Elle Johnson Cleansing Lotion, $18; ellejohnson.co
We understand trying new skincare products can be scary so we now allow you to test our best seller, RADIATE FACE JELLY, by sending you a few samples for $0.00 ! All you have to do is pay for shipping and handling. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We just restocked our samples so head to basebutter.com to get yours 😬
A post shared by BASE BUTTER ™ (@basebutter) on Aug 21, 2018 at 3:12am PDT
All-natural skincare line Base Butter is on a mission to challenge the depiction of Black women in media. Partly inspired by founder She’Neil Johnson’s own struggles with acne, the line includes a moisturizing facial “jelly” and body cream.
Editor’s Pick: Base Butter Radiate Face Jelly, $27
The #beijaflornaturals acai mango lotion provides balancing moisture to all skin types. There are no artificial colors or fragrances that irritates sensitive skin. Ingredients include the all powerful #acai and #mango extracts, #murumuru butter, #rosemary and #aloevera. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This facial #moisturizer improves the tone and texture of skin abs can be used under makeup to give a non-oily healthy glow. 15% off with code: summertimeshine on the site.
A post shared by Beija Flor Naturals (@beijaflornaturals) on Jul 25, 2018 at 8:19am PDT
This organic California-made skincare line was founded by Stevonne Ratliff, who created it to address her own hyper pigmentation and skin frustrations. Her botanical products include scrubs, lotions, and bar soaps all inspired by Brazil.
Editor’s Pick: Beija Flor Naturals Acai Mango Lotion, $20
Getting ready for New York. Packing lots of rich face essentials and polka dots for @projectbeautyexpo - an event showcasing women of color owned beauty brands. I can’t wait to share {blade + bloom} products and my story with this brand-focused audience. ⠀ ⠀ If you’re in New York this Sunday please come to the party to experience lots of great indie brands and hear from industry leaders. 1-6pm at Hudson Mercantile Annex 38, 518 West 38th St.
A post shared by {blade + bloom} (@bladeandbloom) on Aug 6, 2018 at 3:01pm PDT
Blade + Bloom’s eco-conscious goods are handmade in Chicago with a focus on 100-percent plant-based skincare and candles. All feature delicious scents (the “Charming I’m Sure” soap apparently smells like “the secret ingredient in your boyfriend’s cologne”), and the no-nonsense packaging is recyclable.
Editor’s Pick: Blade + Bloom Rich Cleansing Bar in Charming, I’m Sure, $12
After you scrub, dont forget to moisturize! Dont forget about we are giving these away. Click the link in our bio for contest entry! *You must be following us to win.
A post shared by Elements of Aliel (@elementsofaliel) on Aug 19, 2018 at 10:03am PDT
Elements of Aliel is all about minimalism and nontoxic skincare. The vegan face and body products range from serums to clay masks to balms.
Editor’s Pick: Elements of Aliel Rose Balm, $32
A post shared by JACQ'S Skincare (@shopjacqs)
This organic line promises to help you “slay, naturally.” Cleansers, mists, masks, toners, and even “beauty boosters” contain tiny, concentrated doses of antioxidants and other good-for-skin ingredients.
Editor’s Pick: Jacqs Revitalizing Face Toner, $19
Happy weekend, natural beauties! Get out there and sparkle ✨🤗✨
A post shared by True Moringa (@truemoringa) on Jul 28, 2018 at 5:29am PDT
True Moringa started as a project to explore alternatives to chemical hair relaxers and cosmetics, and has since expanded to skincare. The facial oils, scrubs, and balms contain moringa, a green plant rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and other skin-quenching ingredients.
Editor’s Pick: True Moringa Lavender Facial Oil, $26
A post shared by Mary Louise Cosmetics (@marylouisecosmetics)
Growing up, Akilah Releford watched her grandmothers Louise and Mary turn natural ingredients from their kitchen into skin-saving remedies. Releford named her skincare brand, Mary Louise, after her inspirations, and continues their legacy with organic, natural products formulated with essential oils accessible to everyone.
Editor's Pick: Turmeric Facial Serum, $35 SHOP NOW