Moisturizing is essential for all and does not discriminate in tones and complexions. Dark skin is loaded with sebum content, although it is lower in ceramides. There is a lesser-known fact that black skin loses moisture the most amongst all skin types. It is incredibly vulnerable to water loss, and that is because of the lack of ceramides in the skin. The common problem with people is that they have combination skin. Parts of their skin are oily and dry, which makes it challenging to maintain their skin. Which is the part of our skincare routine which nourishes our skin? Without a doubt, it’s moisturizing. Thus, we’re here finding the Best Lotion for Black Skin as our prime objective.
Ashy and moisture-deprived look for black skin is relatively common, and the only solution to this is giving your skin moisture. Moisturizing is an essential part of your routine which keeps your skin hydrated and plump. When your skin has moisture, the healing and brightening properties are enhanced. For the best results for dark skin, the moisturizer should be non-comedogenic and should not cause any acne breakouts. Along with using a good moisturizer, you should not wash your skin with harsh soaps. They deprive the skin of its natural oils and make your skin look ashy. Keep your showers short with warm water rather than cold water.
Also Read: 8 Best Drugstore Setting Powder For Dark Skin
8 Best Lotion for Black Skin | Which Could Be Ideal?
Parameters
When you are dealing with black skin, which is sensitive and requires attention, you need to sort out the parameters to see if any product fits. The moisturizer should meet the criteria to be fit to use. Products should not cause any after-effects, and there should be sooner results. Another misconception people have is that black skin does not need UV protection as it does not burn. It does burn, and one of the ways you can protect it against dryness is exposure to sunlight. Black skin is less likely to burn, but UV rays can harm black skin to a cellular level and strip precious moisture. Let’s look at the criteria we need to look for in a moisturizer.
Hydrating: Skin must feel hydrated and pumped up after using the moisturizer. Moisturization is a way of hydrating the skin such that it feels soft. Dark skin is prone to dryness, and the hydration from water molecules is what it needs the most. There have to be moisturizing and hydrating properties till the deep end. The prime objective is not to make your skin look ashy, and loading it with moisture is the only solution.
Non-Comedogenic: The moisturizer should not be responsible for blocking any pores. We must let the skin breathe and make it feel free. Clogging pores would invite more problems and cause unnecessary acne breakouts. Also, we do not need blocked pores and other skin issues following the dryness. Oily skin and clogged pores are not a great combination and cause horrible breakouts.
Easy Absorption: The moisturizer must be easy to apply, and we expect it to be quick absorbing. It should not sit in your face for a longer time and get absorbed sooner. The sooner it gets absorbed, it will start working and making your skin look plumper.
Remove Ashy Look: The moisturizer should combat the most famous problem of them all, the ashy look. The ashy look is dehydrated. Moisturizing and hydrating skin completely can solve the problem.
Instant Results: We hope for instant results after massaging the moisturizer in our skin. It should not take a very long time to work and should soften the skin soon. Your skin should look normal. It should not look dry and ashy even after the application of moisturizer.
Scent: If not pleasant, the moisturizer should not have an annoying smell. I always prefer it to be unscented; that seems like a safe option to me. But I love fragrances for makeup products like coconut or shea butter. However, not everyone is a fan of scents, so either it should have a neutral odor or none at all.
Popular Lotions for Black Skin
Best Lotions for Black Skin | Top 8 Picks
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula
There is no way that you don’t know about this one. I’ve seen the lotion present everywhere, from my grandparents to my mum using it for my little sister. Such was the widespread territory of the lotion. Palmer’s is a 170-year-old brand, and it has been in everyone’s skincare routine. I decided to bring back this legend and discuss it more. You need to remember one thing before using the lotion; if you have a chocolate allergy, you should not use it. Although this kind of allergy is difficult to find, it is advisable to use this lotion if you do have it. Let’s come to the lotion contents; the main ingredients are cocoa extract, coconut oil, and vitamin E.
They are all super nourishing ingredients and very good at moisturizing. Cocoa extract and coconut oil seep deep into your skin to provide soft and smooth skin. Vitamin E is hydrating and soothing for the skin. Vitamin E also boosts collagen production and has healing properties. Coconut oil is excellent for the skin and has outstanding nourishing properties. The formula is very hydrating and can keep moisture locked in your skin for almost 24 hours. It is a thick and non-greasy formula. Very easy to apply; just take it on your fingers and massage it in your skin. Massage it till it has completely absorbed.
Pros
- Thick formula
- Non-greasy
- Easy absorbing
- Reliable brand
- Aged gracefully
- Best for ashy and dry skin
- It also works on flaky skin
- Clean ingredients
- Long-lasting
- Hydrating
- Deeply moisturizing
- Easy to apply
- Pocket friendly
- Easily available
- Soothing for skin
- Nourishing
Cons
- The scent may be too intense for some people.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe is a dermatologist-recommended moisturizing cream. The formula is gentle for all skin types and does not clog your pores. Moreover, it does not cause any breakouts or irritation. Gentle and moisturizing for your skin. The formula is mild but very effective on black skin. Struggling with dry skin, you do not need any temporary hydration. It would help if you had a 24 hour profoundly moisturizing lotion. It needs to last long and seep into your skin to moisturize it deeply. Black skin is prone to be extremely dry, and we need to do something to prevent it.
CeraVe contains hyaluronic acid, which acts as a hydrating agent. Keep your skin hydrated for a long time. It locks in moisture in your skin and keeps it in your skin for a long time. Do not settle and feel heavy on your skin. It feels light and does not feel like a burden on your skin. Ceramides present in the formula form a strong barrier against dry and flaky skin, which was the main problem. It does not clog pores and hence no breakouts. You can use it for your face and body. Also, the Natural Eczema Association has stamped it as safe to use. It is considered the best lotion for black skin.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizing
- Hydrating
- Dermatologist recommended
- Non-comedogenic
- No breakouts
- Paraben-free
- For dehydrated dark skin
- For sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Long-lasting
- Hydrates for 24 hours
- Easy to apply
- Fast absorbing
- Lightweight formula
- It feels light on your skin
Cons
- A little expensive
- If you wash, you need to reapply
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Body Lotion
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Body Lotion contains colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and soy complexes. The ingredients are skin-friendly and deeply moisturizing. Shea butter is said to moisturize your skin well. Aveeno has been clinically proven to improve the skin and tone it in four weeks. Similarly, soy protein helps to even out your tone, locks in moisture in your skin and retains moisture. There are natural light diffusers that reflect light to smoothen out your imperfections.
It soothes and relieves itchy, flaky, and dry skin. Nourishes and profoundly hydrates black skin. It is a fast-absorbing lotion and is, fortunately, fragrance-free. You don’t have to worry about solid or mild fragrances. Keeps skin moisturized for 24 hours which protects and nourishes the skin. Improves skin in one day and transforms it in 2 weeks, proven with empirical proof, and gives you soft, smooth, and moisturized skin. Skin looks hydrated and healthy-looking.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Highly hydrating
- Deeply moisturizing
- Clean ingredients
- Locks in moisture
- Keeps moisture locked for 24 hours
- Long-lasting
- Clinically proven to improve skin
- Best for irritating, dry, and flaky skin
- Best product for black skin
- Smooth and soft skin
- Fast absorbing
- Lightweight formula
- Soothes skin
- Contains SPF 15
- Hypoallergenic
- No chemical solvents
- Oil-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Strong fragrance
- It contains mica in it
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
Cetaphil is the best competitor with CeraVe. Who does not know Cetaphil today? It has made such a trustworthy image in the market, and everyone knows that nothing can go wrong here. Cetaphil promises to build a protective barrier against your skin in under a week. However, the condition is to use the cream daily. Also, it provides 24-hour hydration to the skin. Non-comedogenic and would not cause any breakouts—lightweight and easy-to-use formula. Non-greasy and absorbs fast in your skin. Massage the formula in your skin, and that’s it. Cetaphil contains sweet almond oil, and that’s one of the reasons it stands out. Sweet almond oil is used in all of the professional moisturizing treatments and is highly effective. Cetaphil is a trusted and reliable brand.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizing
- 24-hour moisture lock
- Hydrating
- Trustworthy company
- Protective barrier formation
- It shows results instantly and transforms in a week
- Easy application
- Long-lasting
- Non-comedogenic
- No acne breakouts
- Lightweight formula
- Easily absorbs
- Effective
BaeBody Retinol Moisturizer Cream
As the name suggests, the cream contains retinol. Retinol has moisturizing and replenishing quantities. Shea butter, Vitamin B5, Jojoba Oil, and green tea are the other prime ingredients present. Shea butter again profoundly moisturizes your skin and makes it smooth. Hydration is critical, and it includes jojoba oil. Jojoba oil provides moisture and hydrates your skin. Your skin must have moisture if you want it to let go of dryness and have soft skin, and shea butter and jojoba oil act as great hydrating agents.
It also contains green tea extract, which is an excellent antioxidant. Antioxidants are great for healthy skin and also promote the healing process. Furthermore, they work to boost the rejuvenation and the process of cell building. It gets rid of dead and old cells and makes way for new and rejuvenated cells. It also has anti-aging benefits that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.
Pros
- Clean ingredients
- Retinol inclusion
- Deeply moisturizing
- Hydrating
- Moisture lock
- Long-lasting
- Best for dryness and black skin
- Healing process
- Anti-aging benefits
- Promotes new cell building
- Easy to apply
- Quickly absorbs
Cons
- Not user-friendly dispenser
- Packaging issues
- Malfunctioning dispenser
Sunny Isle Lavender Whipped Shea Butter
Sunny Isle Lavender lotion is a sealant or a moisturizer for your face and body. Nourishes and moisturizes your skin. It is ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Great for ashy and flaky black skin. It also has healing properties, heals minor burns, fades marks, stretch marks, and blemishes. You can also use it to style and nourish your hair. It contains shea butter which is an excellent moisturizing and hydrating ingredient.
That explains the softness, but what can explain the moisture and hydration. It contains 100% pure Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Hydrates and locks in moisture in your skin. It also has lavender essential oil, which is greatly moisturizing and nourishing for your skin. It is ideal for dry and sensitive skin, which are the exact issues for which we’re finding solutions. Please keep it in a cool and dry place.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Moisturizing
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Best for dry and flaky skin
- Healing properties for scars, stretch marks, and blemishes
- Also, use it for your hair
- Nourishes and rejuvenates skin
- Soft and smooth skin
- Locks in moisture
- Provides great coverage
Cons
- Not very long-lasting
E.ra Organics Daily Face and Body Cream
Key ingredients in the cream are aloe vera and manuka honey. It is a two-in-one cream you can use on your face and body—ideal for sensitive and dry skin. Successfully keeps your skin hydrated for 8-12 hours. It contains essential nutrients and vitamins that aim at keeping your skin healthy. Removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and promotes the generation of new skin cells. It also repairs the damaged skin cells and restores the natural barrier. Ceramides are required for building the barrier for protecting your skin.
Moreover, it improves elasticity in the skin and has healing properties. The cream also keeps up the skin’s pH balance and stimulates collagen production. It absorbs quickly in the skin and feels light on the skin. Non-comedogenic and does not cause any breakouts.
Pros
- Non-greasy formula
- Hydrating
- Moisturizing
- Moisture locking mechanism
- Long-lasting
- Keeps your skin healthy
- Use it for your face and body
- Keeps it hydrated for 8-12 hours
- Removes dead skin cells
- Stimulates the generation of new skin cells
- Restores skin barrier
- Protects skin
- Healing properties
- Increases skin elasticity
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-oily
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Clean ingredients
- Fast absorbing
Cons
- Very thick consistency
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturizer
The main ingredients in the moisturizer are shea butter, African black soap, and tamarind oil extract. Moisturizer is definitely for people who have dehydrated and flaky skin. Also ideal for combination skin which is prominent in black-skinned people. Lightweight and fast-absorbing formula. Shea butter moisturizes and softens skin.
Tamarind extracts oil and tea tree oil fights blemishes and keeps your skin clear. Non-comedogenic and do not cause any acne breakout. Healing properties that cure scars, blemishes, and minor stretch marks. Deeply moisturizing and long-lasting. It locks in moisture and keeps your skin plump.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Deeply moisturizing
- Hydrates
- Ideal for dry and flaky skin
- Healing properties
- Clean ingredients
- Softens and smoothes skin
- No breakouts
- Clears and soothes skin
- Locks in moisture
- Keeps skin plump and fresh
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Easily absorbing
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
See Also: 8 Best Drugstore Products for Milia | Buyer’s Guide 2021
Closure
Black skin needs deep and long-lasting moisturization. There are some of the best lotions for black skin in the market, but you need to choose suitably and permanently moisturizing for your skin. You need to apply any moisturizer daily to see the results sooner. Massage the moisturizer in your skin to absorb them and get the best results.
Buy on with clean and toxin-free ingredients. It should be long lasting, at least 12+ hours. That way, it locks in moisture and nourishes your skin.
I aim to help as many people I can with the knowledge & experience I hold in skincare & makeup. Watching friends & HIMYM is my guilty pleasure 😀