The internet has been joking for years that Larenz Tate has not aged a day since Love Jones. He is aware of the joke. And his response to it is exactly what you would expect from a man who takes his well-being seriously.
“There’s no gatekeeping here,” Tate told The Quintessential Gentleman. “I take my overall health and well-being seriously. Peace of mind is key. Staying equally balanced is essential. From the foods I eat, to proper exercises and good hydration.”
The latest addition to that routine is BEVEL’s first-ever Body Cream, a product Tate is now the brand ambassador for, and one he describes as a genuine daily staple.
“Lately, I’ve been using the new BEVEL Body Cream,” he said. “It’s got shea butter in it, so it does a great job keeping my skin moisturized.” He completes the routine with the BEVEL Trimmer, keeping his facial hair, mustache, and beard lined and edged properly.
Together, the products form the kind of intentional, consistent grooming practice that Tate has made a central part of how he shows up, on set, in a meeting, and everywhere in between.
BEVEL launched in 2013 with a focus on shaving solutions designed specifically for Black men, addressing ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and the specific texture needs that mainstream grooming brands had consistently ignored. Over the past decade, the brand expanded into beard care, facial skincare, hair care, and body.
The new Body Cream, available now at Amazon and GetBevel.com, represents BEVEL’s first full entry into body moisturization and its most deliberate attempt yet to address one of the most common complaints Black men have about body care: the grease.
The formula pairs Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, and Hyaluronic Acid in what BEVEL describes as a rich yet lightweight cream that absorbs instantly, eliminates ashiness without leaving sticky residue, and carries a subtle fragrance designed for daily wear.
“What we focused on was building a formula that delivers deep hydration while still feeling lightweight,” Breann Satterwhite, Vice President of Marketing at BEVEL, shares. “The goal was a cream that immediately eliminates the look of dryness without leaving that greasy or sticky residue that men often complain about. Ultimately, the test for us was simple: it had to feel good enough that men would want to use it every day.”
The Hyaluronic Acid component addresses a specific concern in Black men’s skin health that goes beyond surface moisture.
“When skin becomes dry or compromised, it’s more prone to irritation, which can contribute to issues like bumps and uneven tone,” Satterwhite explained. “Hyaluronic Acid is incredibly effective because it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, allowing it to stay hydrated and resilient throughout the day. For us, the goal wasn’t just to moisturize, it was to support healthier skin overall.”
Satterwhite describes the partnership with Tate as a natural fit, a man whose decades-long reputation for confidence, consistency, and timeless style mirrors exactly how BEVEL wants men to experience the brand, as an everyday standard rather than an occasional indulgence.
Tate agreed, saying the partnership felt like a natural alignment with a brand he had long respected for understanding what Black men actually need.
What makes this partnership resonate beyond the product itself is the cultural conversation Tate and Satterwhite are both participating in: what it means for Black men to invest in their appearance, their health, and their self-image in a way that previous generations were not always encouraged to do.
Tate spoke about watching that shift happen over the course of his career. “Growing up, I didn’t see it as much as I do now,” he said of Black men publicly prioritizing grooming and skincare. “I think brands like BEVEL are the reason we have so many high-quality products to choose from.”
Tate’s message for all the Black men watching: “It’s my hope that my brothers continue to pour into themselves, fully understanding that self-care and overall health aren’t luxuries; they’re essential. They are the foundation of our confidence, our clarity, and our ability to show up strong in every space we enter.”
For Tate, confidence starts well before the mirror. “For me, confidence starts internally. It’s rooted in my daily practices. Meditating, being intentional about how I speak to myself, and leading with gratitude. From there, everything else is an extension. Feeling moisturized and cared for feels natural and comfortable in a way that goes beyond just being polished — and those grooming rituals simply amplify that sense of confidence and reassurance.”
Satterwhite connected that same idea back to the brand’s founding purpose. “Since BEVEL was founded in 2013, we’ve seen the broader grooming industry start to recognize needs that Black men have been talking about for years. But our focus has always been deeper than simply participating in the category — we’re focused on building products and routines that genuinely work for our community. The long-term vision for BEVEL is to be the brand men trust across their entire grooming routine, because the products are designed with them at the center.”
Get your hands on the BEVEL Body Cream and check out other Bvel products at GetBevel.com
Photo Credit: BEVEL
