SkinCare: Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton & Extra Pores and skin-Care Founders Pinpoint The Merchandise They Swear Via

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Growing up in the early aughts, I quickly learned that the beauty industry — and more specifically, the skin-care industry — ostracized and neglected Blackness. It was clear in the media: Thumbing through my favorite magazines, I’d rarely see a face that looked like mine in skin-care campaigns for mainstream brands. And it was evident in the market, too: Walking down the beauty aisle at my local drugstore, you can probably guess how many Black-owned products I stumbled upon (hint: none).

So, like many Black folks, I turned to natural, family-approved remedies to treat my skin. Aloe vera was a staple, as was shea butter and other moisturizing ingredients heavily used by my ancestors who, like me, had to find a way to feel beautiful in a world that didn’t recognize their beauty. Those ingredients are still major players in my routine, but now, I reap their benefits by using Black-owned skin-care brands, which often include those ingredients in their products.

Not only are Black-owned brands finally getting a seat at the table, they’re transforming the beauty landscape by changing archaic standards and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the industry. And what makes Black-owned skin-care brands really special is that they’re innovative but still rooted in those centuries-old concoctions, making them beneficial for all skin types and melanin concentrations — not just Black skin.

This month marks the 19th National Black Business Month, and while it’s a great time to buy Black for a certain period of time, you should support Black-owned beauty brands year-round, and you can do so easily at Ulta Beauty. Remember: A dollar spent on a Black-owned skin-care brand is a dollar going directly to the Black community, combating the institutional racial embedded in American capitalism. It’s really a win-win.

If you need a primer on where to start when it comes to shopping Black-owned skin care, hear directly from some of our favorite founders, including Nude Sugar’s Toni Braxton, Keys SoulCare’s Alicia Keys, Urban Hydration’s Psyche Terry, and BeautyStat’s Ron Robinson. Read on as they share their favorite product picks (which you can shop directly to help support them) and learn why it’s so important to shop Black throughout the year.

On the importance of shopping Black: “There’s a really beautiful ripple effect that happens when you support a business by buying their products. You’re helping that business stay alive and thrive. You’re also helping to sustain jobs within that business or even create new jobs. You’re being a part of a cultural shift, and I just love celebrating Black entrepreneurship and diversity within our beauty community. We need more of that.”

Her product picks: “I love our new Protect Your Light Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen because SPF protection is so important for the health of your skin. The affirmation that we paired with this is ‘I protect my inner light,’ and it’s such a beautiful reminder that I recite to myself when applying it. It’s lightweight, invisible on all skin tones, and not greasy — perfect for everyday. Next, I’d choose our Sheer Flush Cheek Tint, a makeup-skin-care hybrid with eight gorgeous shades, featuring hydrating sunflower seed oil. It’s so good for your skin, which was really important to me when creating this. I usually like a sheer flush of color, but the great thing about these is that they’re buildable, so you can go all out and shine at full wattage if you want to. And our Sage + Oat Milk Candle is another favorite. I love a good candle for when I’m practicing my morning and evening rituals, or even when I’m on tour. I love to light this candle and really set the vibes. The sage is so relaxing.”

Keys Soulcare Sheer Flush Cheek Tint, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Keys Soulcare Protect Your Light Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Keys Soulcare Sage + Oat Milk Candle, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “It’s really energizing to feel the continued focus on Black-owned businesses. There was [a lot of focus on them] when the world experienced the many social justice movements of the last few years, and it’s good to see that support continue. It’s [also] been my special honor to be part of the Ulta Beauty Fifteen Percent Pledge. It has allowed me to present my very special luxury body-care brand to a wide audience.”

Her product picks: “Luminous Splendor is my favorite from our body cream lineup. While I love all my creations, Luminous Splendor gives that extra something: It moisturizes, refines, and smooths the skin, helping to perfect it and even out the texture. The secret ingredient is glycolic acid, and we did it at a full 6%, so that it actually works. And I love the Sugar Plum Elixir Restore & Renew Body Serum — it’s the accelerator to all of my creams. It helps assist them to penetrate deeper and adds its own skin-loving benefits, too.”

Nude Sugar Travel Size The Creém, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Nude Sugar Sugar Plum Elixir Restore & Renew Body Serum, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Nude Sugar Luminous Splendor, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “Black-owned brands are often overlooked and underfunded. You’re helping boost the economy with a meaningful purchase — you’re not just buying a product or service from a Black person. You’re investing in the empowerment of others and uplifting the community.”

Her product picks: “I’m an adventurer and a woman of the sun. Make It Glow SPF 30 is travel-friendly, sleek, and fits nicely in my carry-on, so I’m able to own my glow on-the-go. Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is another one of my favorites; I love it because the glow is real, and it’s perfect for that person who wants instant radiance on makeup-free days. Lastly, my Make it Matte Sunscreen SPF 45 is great for anyone who wants sun protection without the glow. It leaves behind a soft, healthy-looking matte finish, and it keeps your skin shine-free throughout the day.”

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Glow SPF30, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Sunscreen SPF 45, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “It’s important to support and shop Black-owned brands (or brands owned by any minority group, for that matter) as this helps to create jobs, lift the overall economy, and close the racial wealth gap.”

His product picks: “Our Universal C Skin Refiner is one of my favorites. It’s made such a difference in my skin that I can’t live without it. It has 20% pure, patented, stable vitamin C and helps reduce lines wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation, and reduce the look of pores. A close second would be our eye cream, Universal C Eye Perfector. It’s got 5% pure vitamin C, plus caffeine, magnolia, and hemp oil. It’s my secret weapon to looking wide awake and keeping my eye area brighter, fresher, and calmer. My third favorite is our Universal Triple Action Daily Peel, which just launched. Unlike other facial peels that contain glycolic acid, which can cause inflammation in darker skin tones, this one includes gentler acids that exfoliate [without irritating skin]. I love it because it’s improved my skin texture and clarity.”

BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Skin Refiner, $, available at Ulta Beauty

BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal C Eye Perfector, $, available at Ulta Beauty

BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal Triple Action Daily Peel, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “To truly ignite change and vote with your dollar, you should support initiatives year-round. When we think of shopping sustainably or with ‘clean’ ingredients, we don’t necessarily see customers only shopping during themed months or in spurts, we see an active effort from them day in and day out. Unfortunately, when it comes to supporting other causes (like Black-owned businesses), we see these spurts of support, which makes it difficult for brands to grow sustainably and effectively.”

Her product picks: “Break-Out is our top-seller at Ulta Beauty and our favorite for controlling pesky bumps overnight. This spot treatment is concentrated with zinc oxide and apple cider vinegar to help reduce the size and spread of large bumps as they form. Bright Citrus Serum is my go-to for preventing hyperpigmentation when I break out. The vitamin C and mulberry extract both work to help slow down the hyperpigmentation process so I don’t have to worry about new dark spots. Super Smoothie Cleanser is a go-to for preventing hyperpigmentation and minor breakouts. We find most of our customers have less severe breakouts, but still need something to keep them at bay, and this cleanser does just that while also preventing dark spots.”

Rosen Skincare Super Smoothie Cleanser, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Rosen Skincare Bright Citrus Serum, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Rosen Skincare Break-Out, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “It helps influence retailers to let them know that customers need products at their stores that are created by diverse people from diverse backgrounds who answer diverse needs.”

Her product picks: “Our Aloe Vera Daily Moisturizer is one of my favorites, and it’s made with sensitive skin in mind. I have really bad bouts of eczema from time to time, and this is the only moisturizer that’s cooling and soothing to my skin. I also remember getting a bad sunburn once, and it was the only thing my skin could stand to touch. I’m also a big fan of our Brighten & Glow Peach & Papaya Body Wash. It’s my go-to shower buddy, and it works on my back and butt acne. It’s powerful, but it feels so simple and pure on my skin. Finally, I love our Aloe Vera Face Wash. It’s sensitive enough for me and my kids, but powerful enough to work on my husband’s skin.”

Urban Hydration Brighten & Glow Peach & Papaya Body Wash, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Urban Hydration Aloe Vera Daily Moisturizer, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Urban Hydration Aloe Vera Face Wash, $, available at Ulta Beauty

On the importance of shopping Black: “Black is not a trend — it’s who we are. Everybody deserves to walk into a store and find products that work for them. It was my goal to provide education about our skin and to create products that work for us. We want beauty and self-care to feel powerful and celebratory, and it should never be embarrassing because you can’t find the right products, or you go into a store and your products are locked up in an ‘urban’ section. It’s essential to keep supporting not just Black-owned brands, but Black woman-owned brands and other brands owned by people of color, too, because beauty is diverse.”

His product picks: “Our Skin Transforming Cocoshea 3 Piece Kit includes our gentle Cleanser, which is amazing at keeping the good oils on your face; for Black people, it’s important to keep our skin moisturized. I use the cleanser every day with our Vibe Facial Cleansing Brush. The kit also includes our Vitamin C Serum, which we call ‘magic in a bottle’ because it helps improve everything, from dark spots to blemishes, and keeps it moisturized and hydrated while fighting fine lines and wrinkles. I love to use the CocoaShea Revitalizing Cream (which comes in the kit) because it gives skin a glow. It works for all skin types, but it’s especially good for dry skin.”

Buttah Skin Cleanser, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Buttah Skin Vitamin C Serum, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream, $, available at Ulta Beauty

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