Skincare for Black men presents a unique set of concerns. Melanin-rich skin is more resistant to environmental changes and some types of damage, but that doesn’t mean that you can just forget about skincare all together. 

Darker skin is more likely to show uneven skin tones and hyperpigmentation. And guys with brown skin struggle with significant irritation from shaving - including ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Unfortunately, there’s still a general lack of skincare knowledge amongst most men. The idea of focusing on personal beauty and making your skin look its best is often stigmatized as being not very masculine.

It’s time to ditch that nonsense. You deserve a skincare routine that enhances your natural appearance, helps prevent issues you are prone to, and builds your personal confidence. 

With a smart routine specifically designed to address your needs, you can enjoy your most radiant, healthy skin. Don’t worry - you don’t need a radically approach to achieve the results you’re looking for. Stick to a basic skincare routine - like the one outlined below.

 

Cleanse

Start with the basics - knowing your skin type and using a face wash that works best for it. You can use this guide to skin types to identify whether you have normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin. Once you know, you’ll be best able to address those concerns.

For Black men with normal to oily skin, our Clarifying Gel Face Wash is best. Its coconut based cleansers, aloe, geranium, and other natural ingredients keep oil under control without making your skin too dry.

 

What if you’ve got dry or sensitive skin? You’ll get optimal results from our Purifying Charcoal Face Wash. It’s made with activated charcoal, olive oil, jojoba, and aloe vera - all of which are gentle on your skin and won’t cause irritation. 

 

Some men with melanin-rich skin struggle with acne, especially guys with oily skin. If that’s your situation, an acne-fighting daily cleanser is the best way to reduce blemishes and ensure a clear complexion.

But you’ll want to avoid harsh ingredients that could over-dry your skin or cause inflammation that can leave dark spots. Our Acne Controlling Face Wash does that with 2% salicylic acid, grapefruit, and tea tree oil.

 

To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, wash your face twice daily - in the morning and before you go to bed. You don’t need to use face wash any more often than this, since over-washing can lead to dryness and irritation. If you are still struggling with excess oil during the day, there are better ways to manage it than going overboard with the face wash.

 

Exfoliate

Exfoliating with face scrub helps prevent acne and removes buildup from dead skin cells. It scrubs the debris out of your pores for a brighter, clearer complexion with minimal oily shine. But less is more - you only need to exfoliate 2-3 times each week. 

Post-shave irritation is a consistent cause of frustration for many Black men. If you struggle with ingrown hairs, razor burn, and razor bumps, pre-shave exfoliation may be the game changer you’re looking for. Why?

Exfoliating helps improve your shave experience by loosening facial hair and bringing any ingrown hairs up above the surface. That means you get a closer, cleaner shave with less irritation. 

See the results for yourself with our Renewing Face Scrub. It’s made with jojoba beads and pumice for gentle yet effective exfoliation. It also contains aloe vera, avocado butter, and vitamin E to ensure skin hydration.

 

Some men with tightly curled facial hair find that exfoliating the day after shaving also helps prevent ingrown hairs. While this works for some, other guys experience irritation from scrubbing their recently shaved skin. It all depends on your skin type, so if shaving is a major source of irritation you should experiment to find what works best.

Regardless, soothing your skin immediately after shaving is a must. Avoid harsh aftershaves that contain alcohol - they will dry out your skin, leaving it irritated and itchy. That’s why our Instant Relief Aftershave is alcohol-free. Its ingredients are all about reducing irritation and leaving your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.

 

Tone

This is a critical step for men with oily skin - and one that many guys aren’t familiar with. But for guys in the know, it’s their secret weapon for keeping a matte complexion all day long. Here’s how it works:

After washing your face (or after exfoliating) apply a few sprays of our Balancing Toner to help minimize your pores, reduce oil, and prevent a greasy shine during the day. Its gentle, natural formula (cucumber distillate, peppermint, witch hazel) won’t cause inflammation or irritation.

If your skin is getting oily midday, try using toner instead of face wash to cut back on the oil. It’s less harsh on your skin; instead of drying out your skin leaves it balanced and refreshed.

 

Moisturize

The last step in your skincare routine should always be moisturizer. This will help you keep an even skin tone throughout the day and prevents ashy or flaky skin - especially if you have naturally dry or sensitive skin.

What if you have oily skin? You shouldn’t use moisturizer, right? Won’t it just make your skin more oily?

Nope. Wrong. Ditch that myth.

Black men with oily skin still need to use moisturizer - but should reach for a lightweight, oil-free formula that locks in hydration without leaving your skin greasy or heavy. This kind of moisturizer enhances your skin and contributes to balanced oil levels. 

That’s the way our Daily Essential Face Moisturizer is designed. It’s made with powerful natural and anti-aging ingredients including aloe, hyaluronic acid, and green tea. It’s also lightweight and fast absorbing, so it works for men of all skin types.

 

Adjust Your Skincare Routine to Your Needs

This outline of a simple skincare routine for Black men offers an excellent starting point for developing your personal regimen. Adjust it to your needs - based on your skin type, your lifestyle, and how your skin reacts to the products you use. 

• For example, do you live in an area with especially dry conditions? If so, you may need additional moisture to keep your skin looking its best. Adding a hyaluronic acid booster or an anti-aging cream to your regimen can help with that.

• What if your job has you spending a lot of time outdoors? Even if your melanin-rich skin is less likely to burn, you still need additional protection to prevent skin damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. So invest in your skin long term by using an SPF product everyday.