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7 best facial moisturisers for black skin
A good facial moisturiser is crucial for healthy, glowing skin
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Your support makes all the difference.Investing in a good moisturiser is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Along with an effective cleanser, and toner, it really provides the gateway to glowing skin, and it doesn’t necessarily have to come with a high price. Finding a moisturiser with quality ingredients and a product consistency that hits the right alchemy for your skin’s needs is truly transformational. Once you get this right, everything else falls into place.
Black skin is prone to many of the common skin problems that other races face such as pimples, blemishes, dry skin, oily skin, combination skin and so forth. However, we are also prone to other skin conditions that tend to affect us more severely, like hyperpigmentation, eczema and hypertrophic scars. Therefore, implementing an effective skincare regime is of vital importance.
This article will review facial moisturisers that range from budget buys, cult favourites and indie beauty brands. My skin is text book combination – I tend to have oily patches on my forehead and chin, which emerge as the day progresses. I’ve also enlisted the assistance of testers with other skin types, too: one of my testers has very oily skin, while the other tester has dry skin, with dark under-eye patches.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream, £43, Bobbi Brown
The first thing that strikes you when you open a tub of Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream is the light, fragrant scent you’re greeted with. It’s slightly zesty, but ever so slight that it’s not overpowering at all, more calming and welcoming. After applying onto my skin it immediately felt plumped up and hydrated. It’s light and slightly buttery in texture and sinks right into your skin leaving no tacky residue. What I also love is the fact that it works with you skin – I found my forehead wasn’t oily at all, and meanwhile my cheeks and under-eyes (traditionally my dry spots) felt soft, dewy and pliable. My only gripe is it comes in a1.7floz jar, and with such a lightweight formulation, this doesn’t last as long as some of its competitors, but it’s certainly a worthwhile investment.
Antonia Burrell Cream Supreme Moisturiser, £75, Antonia Burrell
This is a super-rich moisturiser with a real luxury feel to it. The thick buttery texture is akin to a night cream, so probably not suited to those with oily textures. But for those of us with combination and dry skin textures – bingo! I applied during the day and night and instantly felt the nourishing effects. Despite its thick texture, it actually absorbs into the skin pretty rapidly. For the ingredients buffs among us, you’ll be delighted to know that Cream Supreme Moisturiser is 100% natural and contains among other botanicals Amazonian Andiroba oil, olive leaf extract, seed butter and larch extract. It’s also anti-blemish (a massive bonus for black skin), anti-ageing and contains antioxidant properties, so essentially ticks all the boxes you’d require from a facial moisturiser.
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Moisturising Lotion SPF 30, £16, Mary Kay
My tester describes her skin as oily and wanted a fuss-free moisturiser that keeps the shine at bay, while also nourishing her skin. She was impressed with this lotion by Mary Kay, which although lightweight in texture, felt really moisturising to the skin. The last thing anyone with oily skin wants is excess product residue, and my tester loved the fact that the absorption is fast-acting, and she also felt assured that her skin wouldn’t breakout as it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. The price point is another worthy positive; it’s always a win when great quality meets affordability.
Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer, £26, Kiehls
Fuss free packaging, lightweight and almost scent-free – Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser is a dream realised for those with sensitive skin like myself. Once you try it you’ll understand why it has gained an almost cult-like following among celebrities, influencers and beauty writers alike. It combines magical ingredients such as plant-derived sqalane, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and yet, despite the soft nourishing ingredients it has a really light consistency that instantly evaporates into your skin. I’m willing to bet that Ultra Facial Moisturizer is compatible with most skin types, as it works to match the skin’s natural moisture balance to keep it soft and supple. And the price point is excellent for the quality results it yields, as well as longevity – a little certainly goes a long way, and it has 12 month shelf life.
Ultrasun Daily Face Fluid SPF +50 , £28, ultrasun.com
Many of us with dark skin tones are now beginning to implement sun protection as an integral part of our skincare routine, and rightly so. If you’re looking for an effective face moisturiser to get you through the wonderful but unexpected sunshine we’re experiencing this summer, then I recommend Daily Face Fluid by Ultrasun. It’s lightweight and extremely subtle in fragrance, so perfect for all skin types. Here is the bit that you may not be so enthused by. Like many sun protectant products, this moisturiser leaves a slight blue residue on the skin due the inclusion of ingredients like zinc and titanium, which act as a protectant to block out harmful sun rays. That said, I applied sparingly and found that the residue dissipated around 20 minutes after, and I was left with baby soft skin. It also includes glycofilm pollustop, which protects against pollution and has a UVA absorbance of 95%, making it the perfect protectant for traffic-heavy city environments.
A’Kin Intense Hydration Day & Night Cream, £24, akinbeauty.co.uk
My tester describes her skin as dry, and suffers from extra dryness around her under eye area. As someone who is reluctant to change up her skincare routine, she was relieved when A’Kin Intense Hydration Day & Night Cream surpassed her expectations. She described it as an enriched buttery balm with a slight shea butter scent that felt really soothing to her skin. She also stated that it felt very organic, and she was happy when researching the ingredients to discover the cream features certified rosehip oil and Shea butter, and is also free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances.
Cetaphil Moisturising Cream, £10.99, Superdrug
For a bare bones, no frills daily moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling soft and nourished, Cetaphil’s Moisturising Cream is a fantastic option. Scent-free and non-comedogenic, your sensitive skin will relish this moisturiser as it feels so gentle, yet it offers the intense moisture often required for those of us with melanin-rich skin.
The Verdict: best moisturisers for black skin
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream offers everything required for an effective moisturiser for me: it’s lightweight, super-nourishing and leaves your skin feeling soft and plumped without any shine or residue. A close runner up is Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser which produces similar results but doesn’t have quite the same luxurious feel.