All products recommended on Beautists.com have been chosen by our editorial and research team. We may receive a commission on qualifying purchases made through our affiliate links.

Check out the results fast – here are our review winners

Do you have darker skin or black skin?

Then this one’s for you. Whether you have African, Latino, Mediterranean, Caribbean or any other darker skin, your skin needs are slightly different to white skin. That’s why I’ve combed the web to find out everything you need to know about the best moisturizers for black skin and comparing products that are perfect for black or darker skin.

In a sea of skincare products and moisturizers, finding the right products for our skin type and the correct order of skincare can be tricky. When your regular moisturizer just doesn’t cut it for you anymore, it can be tough to find good quality products that have all the properties to look after your darker skin.

Here’s the fun part.

I’ve checked out every moisturizer on this list to ensure they meet your expectations for ingredients, quality, absorption, and thickness, to get that smooth, hydrated skin. Whether that’s black-owned skincare or products loved by people with darker skin, you know you’re getting the real deal.

If you’re looking for black owned skincare line, created and used by girls with black skin, then head straight to number 3 for value for money, good all-round moisturizer that has good ingredients.

Here’s a tip- The main difference when it comes to looking after black skin is to keep in mind the higher melanin content and protecting the skin barrier. Choose humectants such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Go for moisturizers with spf, consider physical sunscreens or tinted moisturizer for dark skin with spf to avoid that white cast!

Jump in to discover your skin’s BFF!

We’ve spent the time so you don’t have to:
megaphone
8.3k
Reveiws considered
sandglass
9
hours spent finding
shopping bag
33
Products compared
document
16
articles
studied

Review of the Best Moisturizer for Dark Skin

1.

Shea moisture Balancing Moisturizer

If you love shea moisture for your hair then check out their skincare!

Shea Moisture is ideal if you love natural ingredients, this one has african soap and oil balancing properties to hydrate your skin without breaking out. I’m talking about moisture with a light, non-greasy feel that you reach for everyday.

I love that this moisturizer has been dermatologically tested and is free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, mineral oils, sulfates and phthalates to give your skin quality ingredients that nourish it. If you believe that what you put onto your skin is just as important as what doesn’t go into your skin, then this one is it.

So let me tell you this.

Shea moisture balancing facial moisturizer has african black soap that can help clarify oily skin and fight blemishes, but it also contains ingredients like tamarind extract and tea tree oil. These help to exfoliate the skin and soothe and mattify. if you’re looking for all day hydration minus the shine, you’ll love this.

Shea moisture balancing moisturizer with African black soap is ideal for oily skin types or combination skin, or if you suffer from acne as it has tea tree oil. However it’s also very moisturizing with shea butter, so you can lock in moisture even if you have dry skin. Whatever your skin type, we know this is worth a spot in your skincare routine.

Click on the blue button!

Pros
  • African black soap and Shea butter
  • Acne prone skin
  • Paraben free
  • Hydrating and oil balancing
Cons
  • Small product

Latest deal: Shea moisture Balancing Moisturizer

2.

Buttah Skin Oil-Free Hyaluronic Gel Cream

Definitely the best moisturizer for black skin.

Buttah moisturizer is a black owned skincare brand that is full of the good stuff. It provides oil free, lightweight hydration that will moisturize your skin without leaving it shiny or greasy. You can reach for this water based hydration every day for that baby smooth skin feeling.

This moisturizer is ideal for deep, long lasting hydration. Ingredients such as DuraQuench IQ goes beneath the skin’s surface to strengthen the skin barrier and regulate moisture loss. Exo-H is great for boosting hydration so your skin never feels dry.

Here’s the best part.

Made with nourishing ingredients, this moisturizer cream will revitalize your skin. This gel cream has hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and niacinamide that helps fade blemishes and scars. Plus, natural extracts such as grape seed provides vitamin e to the skin to improve the skin tone and renew it.

You don’t need 20 different skin care products to take care of dark skin types. This gel cream can be used in the am and pm to smooth your skin and replenish it. Fast absorbing and oil free, if you have darker skin it’s a good choice. works as a sort of first aid beauty, and I would say it makes for the best night cream too.

Have you checked this one out yet?

Pros
  • Black-owned skincare
  • Oil free
  • Hyaluronic acid and niacindamide
  • Natural extracts
Cons
  • Doesn’t have spf

Latest deal: Buttah Skin Oil-Free Hyaluronic Gel Cream

3.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Day & Night Cream

If you have black skin you need this dynamic duo in your life.

If you want something light that absorbs straight into the skin, then you’ll love this skin moisturizer. This combo pack of day cream and night cream makes your life easier by having combining what you need in two simple creams. The day cream comes with SPF to protect your skin, and the night cream is slightly richer to moisturize your skin overnight.

This facial moisturizer has everything you could want in it. The natural extracts include glycerin and cocoa butter, shea butter and aloe vera. These ingredients will hydrate your skin as well s nourishing it to provide a healthy skin barrier. They can help to soothe and calm your skin as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

But that’s not all.

The best part about Palmers facial moisturizer is that both the day and rich night cream have a retinol pepeitde complex that help to combat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve skin texture. They help to renew the skin and boost cell production to keep you looking fresh no matter your age. Plus, we all know how important sun protection is, especially when you have darker skin. SPF 15 sunscreen all in one moisturizer so you’re always good to go.

Palmer’s face moisturizer have everything you need and no harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates or dyes so you can take care of your skin the right way even with sensitive skin. You won’t find another facial moisturizer like it. Plus, it smells good!

Overall, I’d say this is a good face moisturizer for black skin

Pros
  • Free from parabens and nasties
  • Retinol peptide complex
  • Shea butter and aloe vera
  • Spf 15
Cons
  • May be too rich for some people

Latest deal: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Day & Night Cream

4.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 15

If you wanted a drugstore moisturizer for dark skin, Aveeno is a good one.

This drugstore facial moisturizer is perfect for a soothing lotion that nourishes and looks after your dry skin without breaking it out. It has a soy extract and a sheer hydrating formula that is quickly absorbed, leaving you with more time for the important stuff but without neglecting your skin.

This moisturizing cream contains broad spectrum spf 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and block free radicals, prepping your skin for the day ahead. It is also good if you have dry skin as it replenishes moisture for a soft and smooth finish.

Check out the best part.

This gentle formula has a total soy complex designed to reduce signs of aging and fade dark spots, as well as brightening dull skin to give you a radiant glow. I’m talking about nongreasy, non-comedogenic and so light that you’ll be able to use it every day.

The Aveeno moisturizer is a game-changer for those who want a moisturizer that is hydrating enough to use in winter as well as light enough in the summer. If you want an even skin tone and the benefits of a total soy complex, you’ll love this moisturizer.

Add this one to your basket, it’s worth it.

Pros
  • Total soy complex
  • Broad spectrum spf 30
  • Non greasy and hypoallergenic
  • Fades dark spots and signs of aging
Cons
  • May be uncomfortable under makeup

Latest deal: Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 15

5.

L'Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Moisturizer

If you’re looking for a dermatologically tested moisturizer for black skin, check this.

The L’Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Moisturizer is a lightweight water based moisturizer that is perfect for combination skin or oily dark skin. To replenish the skin, it has a variety of good ingredients in it and hyaluronic acid so you can reach for this every day.

One of the unique things that I love about this L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius, is that it has aloe water and hyaluronic acid so it can hydrate your skin and give it that glow without over moisturizing or clogging your pores. Whether you have combination skin or oily skin that quickly gets shiny, this one will do the job.

Now, wait until you hear this.

This moisturizer is perfect for those who don’t want a shiny face or a rich moisturizer. This water based, oil free moisturizer can absorb oil, reduces shine, to give your skin a matte finish you’ll love. Hydrating whilst mattifying your oily areas, it’s ideal if you struggle to balance oil so you can get that non-greasy, lightweight feel.

With these ingredients, you can expect matte skin and moisture for 72 hours. It’s great for sensitive skin too as it has been clinically tested is hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. Try out this quick-absorbing moisturizer that absorbs oil, reduces shine, and hydrates your skin all in one go!

It’s worth being on here.

Pros
  • Hyaluronic acid and aloe water
  • 72hrs moisture
  • Oil free
  • Fast absorbing
Cons
  • Results take time

Latest deal: L’Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Moisturizer

6.

Cetaphil Face Moisturizer with SPF 35

If you are looking for the best moisturizer for dark skin with spf, this is it.

The Cetaphil SPF moisturizer is a broad spectrum SPF 35 that hydrates nourishes and protects your skin. It’s great whether you have oily, sensitive or combination skin, and perfect for darker skin tones that need sun protection.

I love Cetaphil because it provides liking lasting hydration. It is infused with edelweiss flower extract to nourish and repair the skin’s barrier. You’ll be giving your skin a big drink of water to moisturize it and lock in hydration.

Now, wait until you hear this.

Cetaphil has broad spectrum SPF 35 to protect against UVA and UVB rays. That means not only you don’t need to add sunscreen on top, but that is will cause less irritation and better hydration, so you can get that non-greasy, lightweight feel.

With these ingredients, and no fragrance or parabens, you can use it safely. It’s great for sensitive skin too as it has been clinically tested is hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. Try out this quick-absorbing all in 1 moisturizer that absorbs oil, reduces shine, provides sun protection, and hydrates your skin all in one go!

It’s worth adding this one to your basket.

Pros
  • Broad spectrum SPF 35
  • Non comedogenic
  • Fragrance free
  • Edelweiss flower extract
Cons
  • A bit greasy for some people

Latest deal: Cetaphil Face Moisturizer with SPF 35

6.

Era Organics Face Moisturizer Cream

This is my favorite natural face cream.

The Era Organics Face Cream is ideal if you want anti aging, deep hydration, and skin repair all in one. Made with various organic, natural ingredients, it’s perfect if you have black skin, suffer from redness and irritation, or acne and inflamed skin.

I love that the Era Organics cream lotion has an all-in-one approach, feeding your skin with all of the vitamins and nutrients it needs to heal and be healthy. For anti aging it has manuka honey, MSM, coconut oil, shea butter and cehami for natural reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.

But wait let me tell you about this.

With Era organics you are going to get six time the hydration than a normal cream. It has aloe vera, olive oil, cocoa butter and hempseed oil for the ultimate hydration and to lock in moisture. Don’t worry, you wont get a greasy feel or clogged pores with this one!

Era organics is also made to repair your skin with these ingredients plus vitamin e, so whether you’re a man or a woman, no matter your skin type you can look after your skin the right way. It’s a winner!

Click on the blue button below to take a look at the 5 star reviews!

Pros
  • Superfood complex
  • Anti aging
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Fragrance free and cruelty free
Cons
  • Texture is a bit thick

Latest deal: Era Organics Face Moisturizer Cream

The Best Face Moisturizer for Black Skin - A Buyer's Guide

To keep your skin healthy and your skin hydrated, you need to ensure you buy skincare products adapted to your skin type and your skin tone. For dark skin tones that have more melanin, such as African American skin they require more hydration and sun protection than lighter skin tones such as caucasian or asian skin.

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or sensitive skin, you need to use a facial moisturizer suited to you to keep your skin healthy. Even normal skin needs a skincare routine to prevent skin cancer, preserve skin health, renew skin cells and protect from uv rays.

Delicate skin types may benefit form fragrance free face moisturizers, and dry skin could have coconut oil, jojoba oil or cocoa butter in their face moisturizers. Using the right products can help fade dark spots, leave your skin soft, soothe irritated skin and smooth out skin texture.

If you have brown skin, which moisturizing lotion do you use?

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the best moisturizer for oily black skin?

The best moisturizers for oily black skin are those that are water based, oil free and non comedogenic. They also need to have hydrating properties and oil balancing technology and spf to make sure your skin is kept healthy.

How do you keep black skin moisturized?

Black skin can sometimes lose moisture quicker than white skin tones, so go for mosirturizers with glycerin or hyaluronic acid as these are natural humectants that lock in moisture.

How can I make my black skin glow naturally?

Use lots of non comedogenic oils in your skin routine. For example olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil to allow them to soak into the skin.

 

Final Thoughts- Moisturizers for black skin

It can be so easy to get sun damage or skin diseases from not looking after your skin. To keep your skin moisturized go for a rich night cream to leave your skin feeling soft, without bad ingredients such as mineral oil. Male sure you protect your skin from sun damage so your skin stays hydrated without damaged skin cells.

Combination skin types can benefit from ingredients like African black soap as it improves skin texture so your skin feels soft. All skin types can make the most of a moisturizing gel with a lightweight formula, antioxidant properties that treats skin concerns and prevents skin damage.

Which one will you buy?

jess rowley

Jess Rowley

Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert

ABOUT

Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.