In the world of grooming, skincare is no longer an afterthought; it’s a foundation for confidence. Every man should know that the same care you put into your suit, your haircut, and your shoes should extend to your skin. And when it comes to products designed with melanin-rich skin in mind, Black-owned brands are leading the way.
From dermatologist-led lines to heritage-inspired butters, these brands are rewriting the story of men’s grooming with products that not only nourish but also affirm identity and style.
Whether you’re tackling post-shave irritation, hyperpigmentation, or just want to maintain a healthy glow, consider this your roadmap to the best in Black-owned skincare.
Crowned Skin
Founded by Darrell Spencer, Crowned Skin was created to redefine men’s beauty, grooming, and style through high-quality products that meet the modern man’s needs.
Spencer’s mission is clear: empower men with confidence through skincare that blends functionality with sophistication. Formulated with 100% organic ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and mango butter, Crowned Skin nourishes and moisturizes without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
Hero Products: King Body Butter and King Body Oil (4 oz) Bundle Set – rich yet lightweight, delivering hydration and smoothness while staying breathable.
Koba
With over a decade in the beauty industry working for global names like Clarins, Sarah Chapman, and L’Oréal, Thérèse noticed an overlooked category: foot care. Drawing on her professional expertise, her mother’s background as a chemist, and her own struggles with dry skin, she created KOBA to deliver high-performance formulas that treat the body, feet included, with the same care as the face.
At the heart of KOBA is safou oil, packed with fatty acids and vitamins C and E to improve texture, boost collagen, and protect against premature aging. Combined with a signature fragrance crafted in Grasse, KOBA makes skincare feel as indulgent as it is effective.
Hero Product:
- Bottom Up Foot Cream — a one-step solution that soothes, hydrates, and softens overworked feet, leaving skin supple, elastic, and refreshed.
Bevel
Created by entrepreneur Tristan Walker, Bevel began as a solution for men struggling with razor bumps and irritation from coarse or curly hair. Today, it’s a complete grooming system that’s become a staple for Black men who demand better results.
Hero Product: Bevel Skin Essentials Kit — includes:
- Face Wash with aloe vera + witch hazel to cleanse and soothe.
- Exfoliating Pads with glycolic acid to unclog pores.
- Moisturizer for lightweight hydration.
Topicals
Founded by Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, Topicals was designed to make treating skin conditions feel like self-care. With vegan, cruelty-free formulas that target specific concerns, the brand has gained cult-favorite status.
Hero Products:
- High Roller Ingrown Hair Tonic — fights post-shave bumps.
- Faded Brightening Serum — reduces dark spots and scars.
- Faded Under Eye Masks — fades the look of dark circles and discoloration.
Buttah Skin
Founded by actor and model Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin is more than a skincare line; it’s a love letter to melanin. Renaud built the brand on the belief that Black skin deserves formulas that not only care for it but also celebrate it. Each product is designed to nurture radiance, restore balance, and affirm the richness of melanin in all its shades.
Hero Products:
- Buttah Skin Cleanser — a daily gel wash that lifts away dirt, oil, and dull surface cells without stripping.
- Buttah Rosewater Toner — a refreshing toner-exfoliator with alpha and beta hydroxy acids to unclog pores, balance oil, and soften skin.
- Buttah Skin Vitamin C Serum — targets dark spots, dryness, and inflammation for brighter, healthier-looking skin.
54 Thrones
Founded by Christina Funke Tegbe, 54 Thrones honors African beauty rituals by sourcing ingredients directly from the continent. With shea butter from Ghana and hibiscus from Kenya, the brand highlights heritage and sustainability.
Hero Product:
- African Beauty Butter: Intensive Dry Skin Treatment — softens rough patches, and locks in moisture for 24-hour hydration
Rose Ingleton, MD
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rose Ingleton blends medical expertise with her Jamaican roots. Her line uses potent actives alongside her patented Jamaican SuperFruit Complex for clinical results with a natural touch.
Hero Products:
- SuperFruit Brightening Cleanser: lifts away dirt and impurities without over-cleansing or drying the skin.
- SuperFruit Exfoliating Tonic: helps to fade dark spots, improve texture, unclog pores, and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Eadem
Founded by Marie Kouadio and Alice Lin, Eadem is built on the principle of “Keep melanin in mind.” Their formulas are designed with skin color as the priority.
Hero Product:
- Mami Wata Ultra Calming Rescue Mist — calms and relieves irritated skin while leaving skin feeling more hydrated.
Hyper Skin
Founded by Desiree Verdejo, Hyper Skin targets hyperpigmentation and uneven tone, particularly for melanin-rich skin.
Hero Products:
- Hyper Even Brightening Serum — vitamin C + kojic acid to fade marks.
- Fade & Glow AHA Mask — smooths and resurfaces skin for a radiant finish.
Oui the People
Founded by Karen Young, Oui the People rejects unrealistic ideals of “perfect skin.” Instead, the brand focuses on products that make you feel amazing in your own skin.
Hero Product:
- Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss — a silky blend of squalane, rosehip, and avocado oils that hydrates deeply without residue.
