Say Goodbye to Blemishes With This Spring-to-Summer Routine

If You Have Black or Brown Skin, Estheticians Say Your Moisturizer Needs *This*

I’ve struggled with dark spots for as long as I can remember. If you’re Black or Brown and acne-prone, you probably feel my pain. It wasn’t until I started adding the right ingredients to my skincare routine that I started to notice a significant and lasting improvement. I learned that there’s one key product that can make or break your routine—your moisturizer. If it doesn’t have the right ingredients for melanated skin—well, let’s just say you could be hurting rather than helping your skin goals. Luckily though, I have estheticians on speed dial who are willing to give some sound advice on the matter. Below, I’m breaking down what to look for in a moisturizer if you have Black or Brown skin and the best ones to buy. Keep on scrolling.

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“Black and Brown skin can be more prone to certain skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone,” says esthetician and Klur founder Lesley Thornton. “Look for ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, or licorice extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and non-aggressive acids that can exfoliate the skin without stripping or irritating.”

“Moisturizers should contain ingredients that provide and retain hydration in the skin with emollients and occlusives to help create a barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing moisture loss. Look for non-comedogenic formulas to avoid clogged pores and breakouts—these formulations are less likely to cause acne or worsen existing skin issues. Sun protection against harmful UV rays is also crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Look for moisturizers that contain broad-spectrum SPF to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Aim for SPF 30 or higher.”

Thornton’s top moisturizer pick for Black and Brown skin is below, along with a few of our favorites.

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Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30

$22

Pros: Relatively inexpensive, contains skin barrier-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, suitable for sensitive skin.

Cons: Contains silicones.

This moisturizer contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid which help to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. It is suitable for sensitive skin, very affordable and it has multiple formulations, a day version with SPF and a standard without SPF is often recommended by skin health professionals.” —Thornton

Customer Review: “This is my favorite moisturizer with SPF. I discovered this brand in a pharmacy store in Paris a few years ago and use their other products too. Hope to get to their spa one day!”

Sculpture + A Overnight Enrichment Cream

Klur Sculpture + A Overnight Enrichment Cream

$150

Pros: Contains retinol to help speed up skin cell turnover, has 19 anti-inflammatory plant ingredients, firming peptides tighten aging skin.

Cons: Expensive.

This moisturizer from Thornton’s skincare brand Klur is great for those who may struggle with acne and dark spots. It’s an overnight retinol cream that’s gentle (yet powerful) while lifting pigment and speeding up skin cell turnover. In addition to retinol, it also contains 19 anti-inflammatory plant ingredients along with peptides to firm the skin and calm redness.

Customer Review: “OBSESSED with Klur’s Sculpture + A… I use this a few nights a week, and it is truly magic in a jar. I have two young toddlers that exhaust me 24/7 and have added at least 10 years to my face in the last year. Whenever I use this product, I wake up the next morning looking a little more youthful around the eyes, and my skin looks healthier with a nice subtle glow. Grateful this product exists as it has become a new staple in my routine!”

Hydra Vizor Invisible Face Moisturizer

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Face Moisturizer

$39

Pros: Contains SPF 30, niacinamide in the formula helps fade dark spots and provides excess oil control, hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates the skin.

Cons: Contains chemical sunscreen filters.

Fenty’s invisible SPF 30 moisturizer locks in hydration, helps fade dark spots, and smooths out enlarged pores with ingredients like niacinamide, Kalahari melon, hyaluronic acid, and aloe.

Omega Water Cream Moisturizer

The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer

$11

Pros: Budget-friendly, contains 5% niacinamide to provide oil control and fade dark spots, ceramosides and a betaine complex reduce moisture loss and hydrate the skin.

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for extra dry skin.

This lightweight water-based gel moisturizer from the Inkey List stops moisture loss in the skin with ceramosides and a betaine complex while simultaneously reducing excess oil production and fading dark spots with 5% niacinamide.

Customer Review: “This is very light and watery, a gel-like texture that feels cool and comfortable. Great for quick and simple moisturizing, but even better if you like to layer heavier creams on top of lightweight moisturizers!”

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Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturizer

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturizer

$45

Pros: Hyaluronic acid complex in the formula hydrates the skin, pineapple enzymes smooth out skin texture and fade dark spots, amino acids provide antioxidant protection.

Cons: May not be suitable for hypersensitive or extra dry skin.

Featuring a hyaluronic acid complex, amino acids, and pineapple enzymes, this formula from Summer Fridays aims to provide antioxidant protection to skin, deeply hydrates, and gently smooths out skin texture and dark spots. 

Customer Review: “I was so excited to [try] this and it did not disappoint. It gives my skin such a glowy look. I have fairly sensitive skin and it worked great for me. A little goes a long way and there’s a good amount of product in the jar. Will definitely buy again.”

Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

$42

Pros: Fragrance-free, balances oil production in the skin, provides long-lasting hydration with hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid, moringa and papaya help remove impurities from the skin.

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for extra dry skin.

If you’re acne-prone this moisturizer is an absolute lifesaver. It provides just the right amount of hydration your skin needs with hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid while moringa and papaya help remove impurities from the skin and calm redness.

Customer Review: “I stumbled upon it on accident and have been so surprised by how much my skin enjoys it. My skin has been chronically dry and sensitive, and I’m amazed this doesn’t break me out. It feels greasy going on but in a light refreshing way. It is so moisturizing. New staple!”

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Hydration Peptide Cream

Shani Darden Skin Care Hydration Peptide Cream

$58

Pros: Peptides firm skin and support healthy collagen production, squalane repairs the moisture barrier, hydrosella provides up to 72 hours of hydration.

Cons: Expensive.

Dry skin will greatly benefit from this moisture-rich cream from Shani Darden. It’s also great if you use any brightening acids in your skincare routine to lighten dark spots or even out your skin tone. Peptides support healthy collagen production in the skin while hydrosella provides up to 72 hours of hydration and squalane replenishes the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Customer Review: “Very hydrating and soothing to my skin. Rich enough but not greasy. I noticed a difference even after the second day. I have sensitive normal to dry skin, 58 years old, and I’m not expecting a miracle out of any product. Although this peptide cream made a difference. My skin looks more glowing and rejuvenated.”

Vitamin C Radiance Moisturizer

OAM by Ciara Vitamin C Radiance Moisturizer

$43

Pros: Rich in vitamin C and niacinamide, adds radiance and hydration to the skin with squalane, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.

Cons: Large amount of vitamin C may not be suitable for extra sensitive skin.

OAM’s vitamin C-rich moisturizer adds so much radiance to the skin. It can also help even out your skin tone and fade dark spots in record time with niacinamide. Additional moisture also comes from peptides, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. 

Customer Review: “This moisturizer is so velvety and smooth on my skin. I love the ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, it keeps my skin bright and hydrated. My skin feels so soft and glowy after applying the moisturizer. Gifted by OAM Skin.”

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10 + 10 Moisturizer

Innbeauty Project 10 + 10 Moisturizer

$35

Pros: Contains 10% vitamin C and a 10% peptide complex, ceramides and squalane support hydration levels and reinforce the skin barrier.

Cons: Pills slightly under makeup.

With a 10% vitamin C complex and 10% peptide complex, this moisturizer is a master skin-firmer and brightens like no other. Ceramides and squalane also support hydration levels and reinforce the skin barrier.

Customer Review: “Really impressed! Super hydrating, I wake up with soft skin, and it’s a very light consistency, which I love. My face is noticeably more hydrated. Great $$ too.”

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Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer

Dr. Zenovia Skincare Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer

$79

Pros: Contains barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and peptides, contains a complex to restore health to a hormonally imbalanced complexion, features bakuchiol, a retinol alternative.

Cons: Expensive.

This barrier-enhancing cream is great for dry or mature skin since it contains a peptide complex, vitamin E, grean tea, bakuchiol, and ceramides. Bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative and is a bit gentler on the skin so it’s also great for those who are sensitive and could use an extra dose of hydration.

Customer Review: “After using Dr. Zenovia Skincare Peptide and Ceramide repairing moisturizer over the past few weeks, I can say I have noticed a positive difference in the quality of my skin. My skin feels firmer and looks brighter. The aroma and the texture of the produce is light but very pleasant. I experienced no negatives from this product. As I’m approaching 30, I really appreciate products like this that help me keep my skin looking youthful.”

The 7 Best Butt Masks of 2023 That Smooth and Calm Skin

We often pay special attention to our face and body, but neglect our bums. If you think about it: We spend countless hours on our bottoms, so it only makes sense that they deserve some self-care.

Butt masks may seem like a hoax, but since they endure a lot of the same skin problems that we experience on our face, including acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, sagging, and rough texture, a butt mask is a secret solution. Using a mask, along with your trusty body washes and scrubs, will help keep your skin problems in check.

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mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream

What We Love: It contains nourishing ingredients like caffeine and niacinamide to firm and soften skin.

 What We Don’t Love: It has a slight floral scent that may bothersome.

Mio Peachy Cheeks Butt Cream is the créme de la creme of butt masks. Recommended by board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick, the mask contains caffeine, niacinamide, Indian fig extract, and monk’s pepper berry. The caffeine helps with the texture and firmness of your bum, leaving you with a silky soft bottom, and the Indian fig extract and monk’s pepper berry moisturize your skin. (No one wants a dry derriere).

Concocted with a magical complex of proteins and vitamins, this mask will transform a textured bottom into a smooth and hydrated surface. One thing to keep in mind is that the rich blend is formulated with a slight floral fragrance.

Yes To Booty-Ful Paper Mask

What We Love: You can tone your bum while lying down.

What We Don’t Love: The mask slides if you move.

We love nutrient-rich sheet masks, and now they make them for your bottom. This option works to improve the overall appearance and feel of your bum. The Yes To Tighter + lifted Bootfyful Paper Mask comes in two heart-shaped sheets that you leave on each cheek for 10 minutes.

Caffeine and coffee stimulate blood flow and help smooth the skin, while the antioxidant-rich guarana fruit provides a dose of hydration. After you slide the mask off, you can rub in any excess liquid to make the most of your masking.

The only downfall is that these sheet masks are single-use, but the benefits make it worth it. And, as a bonus, it is made of one hundred percent cotton and is free of parabens, silicones, and SLS.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

What We Love: Formulated with hydrating ingredients like coconut and açai oils, this cream leaves your skin feeling like butter.

What We Don’t Love: It has a strong musky vanilla scent. 

You have probably heard of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream, and we are here to tell you it’s worth all the hype. With ingredients like guarana, cupuacu butter, and coconut and açai oils, this thick cream instantly revitalizes dry and flakey skin.

The creamy texture melts into your bum, while also tightening the appearance of the skin, thanks to the Brazil nut oil. Rich in selenium, Brazil nut oil keeps skin looking healthy and firm. Plus, the guarana stimulates blood circulation, which will enhance the overall look of your bottom. After using this mask for a few months, I have noticed a huge difference in my derriere’s firmness and smoothness. Although I love the warm rich vanilla and caramel scent, others may be more sensitive to it.

Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift And Firm Booty Mask

What We Love: This mask helps tighten the areas around your bottom and thighs. 

What We Don’t Love: It has a warming sensation that some may dislike. 

While you can’t wake up with an instantly firmer bottom, this mask comes pretty close. Maelys Cosmetics B-Tight Lift and Firm Booty Mask deliver just what it promises: A beautifully plump and taut bum.

Recommended by Dr. Garshick for its firming and hydrating ingredients, this mask contains pink pepperslim, hyaluronic acid, and guarana seed extract, and is clinically proven to visibly firm skin around the booty and thighs.

Start by applying a large amount on your bottom and thighs. Then massage the leave-on mask into the skin until it absorbs. The mask may initially give a slight warming sensation, which only lasts a minute or two. After the cream settles, you’ll find that the skin on your butt and thighs looks plump and supple.

Anese Down With The Thickness Booty Mask

What We Love: The clay mask removes excess oil and contains collagen to plump and strengthen skin. 

What We Don’t Love: You have to leave it on for at least 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off for best results.

Got some time to spare and want to improve the texture of your bum? Anese Down With The Thickness Booty mask covers all your smoothing needs. Formulated with clarifying and detoxing kaolin clay, this mask offers a deep and thorough cleanse, washing away pore-clogging buildup to keep skin clear. It also absorbs excess oil and reduces the appearance of stretch marks.

The formula is concentrated with soothing ingredients, like vitamins B3 and B5, to keep skin soft and moisturized. The mask’s creamy consistency feels nice on the skin, and it spreads easily without needing much rubbing.

More Anese… yes please!

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Bawdy Clay Butt Mask

What We Love: The kaolin clay draws out impurities and excess oil to keep skin clear and acne free. 

What We Don’t Love: Reviews say that it can take a couple of tries to get product out of the stick applicator.

“This mask uses kaolin clay to draw out debris and oil, helping to improve overall texture and reduce breakouts, without leading to dryness or irritation of the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

We love that this purifying clay mask is in stick form for an easy, mess-free application. The formula harnesses clean, non-toxic ingredients, including a blend of kaolin and montmorillonite clays to exfoliate, willow bark to tone, and glycerin to hydrate.

Simply apply the mask in a circular motion all around the butt and upper thighs, let it dry, and then rinse after 15 minutes. It’s great to use post-workout or to get a breakout under control.

Truly Buns Of Glowry Tighten & Glow Smoothing Butt Polish

What We Love: Watermelon extract helps to fade any discoloration and hydrates thirsty skin. 

What We Don’t Love: There’s not a ton of product in the packaging.

Although this is technically a body polish, it can be transformed into a mask by mixing a handful of the scrub with water and rubbing it into your cheeks. The mask is powered by watermelon extract, which is rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants, to lightly exfoliate and promote cell turnover. It’s also formulated with wheat protein, which contains ceramides that attract and hold onto moisture to plump skin and fill in fine lines to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Together, these two powerhouse ingredients work to reveal a more radiant complexion. Our only complaint is that we love it so much, we wish it came with more products.

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What to Keep In Mind

Ingredients

When selecting a butt mask it’s important to consider the skin concerns you want to address. In general, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens recommends avoiding butt masks with potentially irritating ingredients, such as drying alcohols, fragrances, and essential oils.

If your bottom is feeling slightly dryer than usual, she says that masks rich in humectant ingredients, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey, and panthenol, can help to improve moisture retention in the skin. These ingredients also provide a soothing effect, which can be helpful for anyone who experiences ingrown hairs, acne, eczema, or folliculitis (especially after shaving).

If you’re looking to treat discoloration, acne, or keratosis pilaris, Dr. Stephens suggests looking for masks that contain chemical exfoliants, like lactic or salicylic acids, as these ingredients boost cell turnover — just be sure to use sunscreen, as these acids will make skin more sensitive.

Application

Instructions for how to use the mask will depend on what type it is. If your mask is a wash-off, be sure to thoroughly rinse until you no longer feel the residue on your skin. Alternatively, a leave-on mask is one that you rub into the skin until it absorbs and dries. It can be left on the skin until your next shower.

In general, Dr. Garshick says that butt masks can be used a few times a week, but it’s important to follow the directions provided by the brand, especially if you’re using an exfoliating mask.

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Your Questions, Answered

What do butt masks do?

“A butt mask is what it sounds like A mask to treat the skin on the buttocks that can often be left on for some time to help address certain concerns of the buttocks area,” says Dr. Garshick.

These masks can exfoliate and firm, or address an acne breakout or bumpy, uneven texture.

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Rosenthal is a commerce writer for BeautyLeeBar. She covers fashion, skincare, and beauty. With additional knowledge from professional stylists, Rosenthal collaborated with a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Marisa Garshick as well as a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Parkland Dermatology, Dr. Alexis Stephens to write this story.

How to Find the Right Face Mask for YOUR SKIN

It’s easy to think that all face masks are good for us. They’re a treatment, right? How can special treatment be bad? But depending on the weather, or our skin type, or even just our skin’s current #mood, the wrong mask could do us dirty.

If we have super dry skin, steer clear of harsh pulling clays or even exfoliating acids, which can be hard because we want to dissolve those dead skin flakes. However, we need to nurture our skin barrier and be kind and cognizant of our skin’s current condition before slapping on a face mask and considering it a favor.

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On the other hand, if we have oily skin, we don’t want to get eight hours of REM under an emollient sleeping mask or overdo it with hydrating facials. It’s all about balance and assessing what our skin’s needs are.

Ahead we’re sharing our favorite powder face masks to add to your skincare routine.

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Tools

 

Ritual Set, $15

For easy application, use this bowl and brush set to blend the formula and water. Lee also likes to add a drop of this honey mask and a few shakes of this rosemary reset powder to her mixture.

For Dry Skin

Forma Rosea, $45

If you’re feeling itchy, flaky, sallow, or dull, you’ll want to go straight for a hydrating mask and skip the harsh stuff. Colloidal oat kernel, chamomile flowers, carrot seed oil, coconut milk, jojoba, rose, and a few other key players nourish deeply while providing moisture. It’s the ultimate pink drink for our skin.

For Blemish-Prone Skin

Forma Viridi, $45

When we are stressed, PMSing, or maybe letting our diets get a little out of hand (hello holidays), we need to balance and clarify. This is when we should be reaching for a clay mask, and this one with mineral-rich French green clay does the trick without over-drying. Neem, lavender, and spirulina are anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and mineralizing for a soothing plan of attack for current and brewing breakouts.

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For Irritated Skin

Forma Floris, $45

Sometimes our skin is not quite dry, not quite oily, but it’s clearly upset. This can happen in harsh climates, or when we’ve overdone it with skincare (over-exfoliation … please don’t, but OK, it happens). Soothe and calm freaked-out skin with hibiscus, marshmallow root, aloe, calendula, and chamomile to reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation. 

For Dull Skin

Reborn Mask, $60

Rhassoul, rosehip, turmeric, gotu kola, sea buckthorn, and a few other superstars will restore a glow and some color to your cheeks while gently pulling out impurities. These ingredients soothe while fighting future breakouts and inflammation, and at the same time boost circulation for rapid healing and instant radiance.

Papaya Bright Superfood Face Mask, $34

This brightening mask is made with 100% pure, edible superfoods. Plus, it’s highly recommended by our BeautyLeeBar Community. “It’s a powder formulated with clean, good-for-you ingredients; add a few drops of water and it turns into a gel-like paste. I use this bowl and brush to apply—self-care at its finest. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off to reveal healthy, glowing skin. Like using the Paris filter but IRL!”

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For All Skin

Clean Greens, $34

When you’re not quite suffering active breakouts, but feel bogged down by blackheads and an overall lack of luster, time to give your skin the ultimate smoothie. Chlorella, spirulina, and mango juice help to nourish the skin and dissolve impurities. This mask is so nutrient-dense and yet so gentle, that we go back on our word with this one exception. Use this baby any time for a healthy glow.

CATEGORY IS FACE. Comment below where you from and the skincare product that has been saving thy face!