On the hunt for the best moisturizer for black skin that really works? Look no further as I compiled 29 tried and true (by a black girl in Texas) face and body moisturizers for your skincare concerns.
People (men/women) with darker skin tones, or as I lovingly call them magically melanated superhumans require varied products for skincare concerns. We are predisposed to hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, dryness, and let’s not forget ashiness. Don’t let a black person be caught outside slipping with ashy skin. Just be prepared to get roasted. In order to combat unsightly skin woes associated with darker skin, you should have a skincare regimen that focuses on retaining the skin’s moisture balance.
Although some moisturizers are interchangeable it is important to have a product designed specifically for the face and body. Remember not to neglect the parts of the body that are not shown. Don’t think just because you wearing pants you don’t have to apply lotion on them legs.
After your regular wash routine, I recommend you air dry, leaving your face slightly moist. Next, apply face and body moisturizer to the skin to trap the moisture in.
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Best Moisturizer for Black Skin
1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula
All Skin Types
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is an oldie but goodie moisturizer for black skin. It’s like a right of passage for a young black girl/boy in combating ash. Its formula of natural cocoa butter and vitamin E is known to soften rough and dry skin. Dermatologists approve cocoa butter for eczema-prone skin.
2. Gold Bond Radiance Renewal
Normal to Dry Skin
Gold Bond Radiance Renewal is my personal favorite contender for the best moisturizer for black skin right now. The rich and creamy formula of African shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil provides maximum hydration. This formula of 7 nourishing moisturizers and 3 vitamins gently exfoliates dead cells leaving behind ash-free, well-hydrated skin.
3. Nivea Essentially Enriched
Dry to Very Dry Skin
I must admit I’m a bit of a lotion junkie. Another fave of mine in the running for the best moisturizers for African American skin. Nivea Essentially Enriched lotion is another rich and creamy lotion infused with its deep moisture serum and almond oil. I can attest to the 48-hour claim to lock in moisture.
4. Jergens Nourishing Honey
Normal to Dry Skin
First I must say the Jergens Nourishing Honey might be the best-smelling lotion for African American skin on this list. This is definitely not your grandmother’s Jergens. This formula infused with honey and orange blossom essence smoothes and hydrates to unveil nourished noticeably softer skin.
5. Cantu Skin Therapy
Dry Skin
Okay, I might have lied Cantu Skin Therapy could be the best-smelling lotion on this list. I imagine its pleasant scent is attributed to the subtle notes of shea, orange, and vanilla. Skin Therapy is a good moisturizer for black skin because this fast-absorbing unique blend of cocoa butter, aloe, and Vitamin E has been clinically proven to alleviate rough dry skin and reveal radiant skin.
6. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Line
Dry Skin
Vaseline is another OG moisturizer in the black community. It’s a no-brainer for cocoa butter and vaseline to team up for the Cocoa Radiant Line. You can’t go wrong with any of the products as they claim to penetrate surface layers to moisturize and heal dry skin revealing a natural glow.
7. Eucerin Roughness Relief
Dry Skin
“Winter is Coming” This lotion right here can work miracles on dry cracked feet. You definitely want this on deck for that Winter body as it hydrates and prevents moisture loss. Eucerin Roughness Relief contains the powerful ingredient Urea that gently exfoliates and improves the overall condition of rough, dry, and bumpy skin. This best moisturizer for black skin that is fragrance sensitive.
8. Aquaphor Advanced Therapy
Dry Skin
This is one of those products I use interchangeably for face and body. I was into Aquaphor heavily when I was slugging. In the great debate of Aquaphor vs. Vaseline, the only difference I see is vaseline is thicker the occlusive (loss of hydration preventative). This is one the best moisturizers for black skin because it serves multiple purposes such as dry skin, chapped lips, minor cuts, burns, and cracked feet.
9. Amlactin
Dry Skin
As a black woman, I struggle with hyperpigmentation on my body. Amlactin is my go-to exfoliating moisturizer to get rid of dark pigmentation on my legs and arms. Popularized because it contains 12% lactic acid which exfoliates resulting in smooth, hydrated, and renewed skin. Often used as a treatment for the skin condition keratosis pilaris. Learn about some of my favorite exfoliators here.
10. Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion
All Skin Types
Another good exfoliating moisturizer for black skin is Alpha Renewal Body Lotion is comprised of 12% glycolic alpha hydroxy acid (natural sugar cane derivative). It gently sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal fresh new skin.
11. Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil with Aloe
Dry Skin
I’m not going to hold you I like to use oils on my lazy days. Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil gentle hypo-allergenic formula infused with Aloe and Vitamin E forms a barrier to prevent moisture loss leaving you with soft and silky skin. Who doesn’t like the smell of fresh babies?
12. Now Solutions Sweet Almond Oil
All Skin Types
Don’t fear Now Solutions Sweet Almond Oil is a 100% natural oil that is easily absorbed through the skin and non-pore clogging. This nourishing oil derived from pressed almonds revives all skin types leaving soft, clear, and healthy-looking skin.
13. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Oil
All Skin Types
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Oil is a good moisturizer for my plant-based readers as it is a 100% nutrient-rich vegetarian blend of kukui nut, sweet almond, coconut, flaxseed, and sunflower oils. The fast-absorbing prevents moisture loss, hydrates, and nourishes leaving you with beautiful glowing black skin.
14. Dove Body Love Cream Oil
Dry Skin
I love this all-in-one lotion because of the convenience of having my lotion and body oil already combined. Dove Body Love Cream Oil enriched with its restoring ceramide serum strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier. This rich, creamy, indulgent formula is designed to visibly improve skin. This fragrance-free, nongreasy, paraben-free, lotion is the best lotion to get your dry black skin together.
15. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel
Sensitive Skin and Dry Skin
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel is an instant moisture booster hence the name. This lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid touted to boost skin cells and retain moisture.
16. Vanicream
Dry Skin
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is a simple non-greasy, Non-comedogenic moisturizer. Best of all Vanicream was awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
17. SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
All Skin Types
Okay, I promise this Bum Bum cream is the best-smelling moisturizer on this list. Its caffeine-rich Guarana extract is sure to smooth and tighten skin, while Capuacu butter and essential fatty acids deliver deep hydration to the skin. This antioxidant-packed body butter shields skin from environmental damage, while supporting the skin’s natural ability to protect itself giving off that healthy glow.
18. African Shea Butter
All Skin Types
Shea Butter is another multifunction moisturizer for black skin as it has been praised to soothe burns, muscle aches, and minor skin irritations. I personally like to use it on my two-strand twist hairstyle. Derived from the nut of the Shea Tree this rich butter comprised of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals has been used for centuries to moisturize and revitalize beautiful black glowing skin.
Best Face Moisturizer for African American Skin
19. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
All Skin Types
One of the best face moisturizers for African American skin is Cerave Moisturizing Cream. This moisturizing cream ingredients include hyaluronic acid and 3 essential ceramides that work together to restore the skin’s natural barrier.
20. La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dry Skin
I use olive oil when my face gets extremely dry typically in the Winter months. I like to do the oil cleansing method from time to time. Olive oil is a natural antioxidant comprised of essential vitamins and antibacterial used to restore moisture to the skin.
21. The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
All Skin Types
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil is one of the best face moisturizers for African American skin because omega fatty acid content combats signs of aging, and hyperpigmentation while supporting skin elasticity, and more radiant-looking skin.
22. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin
Sensitive Skin and Dry Skin
I just love how this feels on my face instantly. If you need something to wake you up in the morning try this moisturizer. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer’s unique non-comedogenic gel formula featuring hyaluronic acid has been clinically proven to hydrate extremely dry skin for up to 48 hours.
23. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer
Oily to Combination Skin
Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer is the best moisturizer for oily black skin. This face moisturizer ingredients include soy and natural light diffusers that fight skin discoloration, and early signs of aging. Additionally this non-comedogenic contains broad spectrum SPF 15 and defends against sun damage.
24. JASON Maximum Strength Vitamin E
All Skin Types
It’s no secret that Vitamin E is a staple ingredient in most skin care products on the market. Vitamin E is a powerful emollient antioxidant that has the ability to reduce hyperpigmentation with continued use, thus leaving skin soft and supple.
25. Pond’s Clarant B3
Normal to Oily Skin
Pond’s Clarant B3 is another classic face moisturizer. Back in the day when my money was funny, this was that girl that got rid of my dark spots from acne. Vitamin B3, known to reduce skin discoloration, is the featured ingredient in this product making it a prime candidate for the best face moisturizer for African American skin.
26. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Cream
All Skin Types
RoC Retinol Correxion is a fairly new product to me. I will tell you saw smoother, more vibrant skin after one use. Of course, this face moisturizer has that special ingredient hyaluronic acid used to deliver maximum hydration to the skin.
27. Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion
All Skin Types
Purpose Moisturizer will forever have a special place in my heart because it was recommended to me in my awkward teen phase by my black Dermatologist. This water-based lightweight lotion is non-comedogenic and will keep your face moisturized throughout the day while providing SPF protection.
28. Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
Sensitive Skin and Combination Skin
Cetaphil Hydrating Lotion is a light moisturizer, with hydrating hyaluronic acid that defends against dryness, roughness, irritation, tightness, and weakened skin barrier.
29. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizer
All Skin Types
La Roche-Posay Lipikar is another face and body moisturizer that I have recently been introduced to. It is extremely rich and plush to the touch. This product is formulated with ingredients recommended by dermatologists including ceramides, shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide which rebalance the skin microbiome, skin’s protective barrier, and skin’s lipids. This moisturizer is suitable for the entire family including babies. Moreover, it has the stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Conclusion
I hope you found my list of 29 Best Moisturizers for Black Skin helpful. I’m just a black girl in Texas that happens to be a skincare junkie. I have struggled with skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, and dryness like many African American people do. I made it my mission to share what has worked for me. I feel confident you will find the best moisturizer on this list that suits your skin care needs. Use any of the products at your own discretion.
Thank You for stopping by theerikalin.com. If you find any of this information helpful leave a comment below. If you know the best moisturizer for black skin feel free to share.
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