Tag: Skincare

6 Black-Owned Sunscreen Brands to Try ASAP

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Regardless of your skin tone, wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best (and easiest) ways to protect your skin’s health and appearance, not to mention prevent the signs of aging. Sunscreen can help prevent rough and damaged skin, as well as skin cancer — rain or shine — since the sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Not sure which sunscreen is best for you? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), “dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.“

If you want to be extra safe, a higher SPF number blocks more of the sun’s UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block them 100%. For maximum protection, be sure to reapply thoroughly every couple of hours, and don’t forget about your lips (wearing a lip balm with SPF not only nourishes your lips but also protects them from skin cancer). Those with darker skin tones might be worried about sunscreen leaving a white cast, but that’s where these Black-owned sunscreen brands that you’ll want to try ASAP come in. They’re for every skin tone, so keep on reading to find your new product go-to. And remember, you don’t need to wait until summer to try these out.

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Our top picks:

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6 Black-Owned Sunscreen Brands to Try ASAP

These are the top picks of Black-owned sunscreen brands to wear in every type of climate.

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Keys Soulcare SPF 30 Sunscreen

This broad spectrum SPF 30 will protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, while the squalane and niacinamide ingredients keep your skin soft and balanced. Also, vitamin B3 helps to brighten and balance the skin’s appearance. All ingredients are clean and cruelty-free and it’s formulated without parabens. Not to mention, it goes on completely clear, leaving you feeling (and looking) radiant and confident. Bonus: The brand was founded by the queen herself, Alicia Keys (hence the name!).

Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Made for melanated skin, this sunscreen brand protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a signature, sheer formula. “As a Black woman, it can be a struggle to find a lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t leave behind a white cast,” says BLB editor Valeris. “This fragrance-free formula with SPF 30 has been amazing for my skin. It absorbs quickly and it works well under makeup.” It doubles as a moisturizer, thanks to its hydrating ingredients, like jojoba, cacao and avocado, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

On the hunt for an invisible SPF 30? Look no further! Founded by Rihanna, Fenty Skin’s Broad Spectrum sunscreen locks in hydration, fades the look of dark spots and smoothes the appearance of pores. After one week, 100% of users agree it softened their skin and it didn’t pill under makeup (this was based on the brand’s own eight-week consumer study on 52 people). It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like niacinamide and kalahari melon.

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Eleven Ace the Day Face Lotion SPF 30

Founded by Venus Williams, Eleven’s lightweight facial sun serum provides protection while simultaneously helping to hydrate, calm and smooth the skin. Shake well before use and then apply daily for maximum protection and skin hydration. It’s dermatologist-approved and quickly absorbs on all skin tones, creating a semi-matte finish. The multifunctional formula can be worn as a lightweight primer to extend the wear time of all of your makeup looks. Formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant, you can wear it for 40 minutes before reapplying.

Absolute Joi Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen

A tinted mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, it will leave sensitive skin feeling extra hydrated. “The mineral formula was nice and felt moisturizing,” says BLB chemist Sabina. “It was founded by a doctor (a woman) who had an impressive CV and whose daughters had trouble finding the skincare that suited them.” Plus, there are two shades, mocha and cafe au lait. The squalane and hyaluronic acid ingredients provide long-lasting hydration and moisture without clogging pores, while vitamin C combats signs of aging and brightens the skin to create a more even tone. Other important ingredients are green tea and chamomile extract, which reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer

Infused with a large dosage of vitamin C, the Bolden Brightening Moisturizer sunscreen will brighten your skin and diminish signs of sun damage and any dark marks, while also providing hydration and nourishment, thanks to its robust antioxidants. It’s made free of sulfates, parabens or phthalates. Other essential ingredients that make up its composition are squalane, which reduces roughness and fine lines, as well as sunflower oil, which repairs the skin’s barrier and eases dryness. To top off all of its benefits, it dries clear without leaving a white, chalky residue.

DIY Hydrating, Soothing, and Clarifying SEA MOSS MASK

Published on by Lee1 Comment

There’s no fresher facial than a DIY mask you can whip up from things right here in your kitchen. I am so in love with this cooling, creamy, dreamy sea moss mask for its Cleopatra-esque use of honey and roses that makes me feel like a goddess.

But I also love it for the instant gratification glow.

It’s calming, soothing, cleansing, moisturizing, and hydrating all at once. Sea moss is anti-inflammatory and reduces redness while controlling oil production. Rose water is high in antioxidants and has anti-aging properties, undoing UV damage while plumping up fine lines.

Honey is moisturizing, antimicrobial, and antiviral, and pairs perfectly with neem, which also boasts antiseptic properties. This combination is a great mask for acne-prone skin.

Get the recipe for this powerhouse below:

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DIY Sea Moss Mask

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons sea moss gel
  • 1 teaspoon neem powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon rose water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all the ingredients well in a small glass or ceramic bowl using a spoon or your favorite mask brush. 

2. Apply evenly all over your face. 

3. Let it work its magic for 20 to 30 minutes. If you leave it on for longer, it won’t cause any harm, so feel free to relax!

4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water, and pat yourself dry with a clean, fresh towel.

If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a midweek pick-me-up. It should stay fresh for up to 10 days, so feel free to use it as frequently as you like.

Pro tip: You can purchase store-bought sea moss gel, or you can majorly save by making it yourself.

Purchase dried sea moss, and soak a small handful of it in purified water overnight. In the morning, blend it with a 1:5 ratio of water (so if you soaked 1 cup of sea moss, you’ll want to add 5 cups of water). You’ll need a high-powered blender, but you’ll be amazed at how much gel you can make from a small bit of dried moss.

BEEKEEPER’S NATURALS B.Powered -Royal Jelly, Honey, Propolis, Bee Pollen, Gel (4.4 oz)

Price:$15.99$15.99 ($3.63$3.63 / Ounce)

This is genuinely my favorite honey to use for face masks and has been. It contains royal jelly and propolis, which are packed with enzymes and nutrients that seriously uplevel the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of any regular store brand—like someone hit the nitrous oxide on honey in a good way.

Selena Gomez’s Pre-Flight Skincare Routine Is So Good I’m Stealing It

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Stars, they’re just like us. Selena Gomez woke up early last weekend for a 6 a.m. flight and took to TikTok to share her (extremely) early morning routine. 

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Gomez walked us through the products she prioritizes before boarding, taking extra care to douse her face in moisture. Remember, the air on planes can be extremely drying, so it’s extra important to take good care of your skin before and after a flight—no matter how long the wheels-up-to-wheels-down time is. 

If you want to level up your next flight experience, we’ve compiled Gomez’s entire travel routine below. While we may not get the kind of luxe cabin experience that Gomez shared at the end of the TikTok, we can at least have glowing skin. 

@selenagomez

6 m flight be like

♬ cardigan – Taylor Swift

MARIO BADESCU SKINCARE Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater $7

Gomez starts by spritzing on this brightness-boosting spray to help wake herself up.

IS CLINICAL Cleansing Complex $45

Gomez follows with this cleanser, which is both gentle and resurfacing. It is genuinely the only cleanser you ever need in your routine. 

RARE BEAUTY Hydrating Under Eye Patches $25

While Gomez continues her skincare routine, she pops on these patches to de-puff, hydrate, and revive her under-eyes—perfect for faking the look of a full night’s sleep.

DERMALOGICA Multi-Active Toner $43

Gomez follows up with this toner, which has aloe and moisture-binding sodium PCA to hydrate and soothe skin. 

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THE INKEY LIST Reusable Cotton Pads $15

Reusable cotton pads are the best way to smooth on toner. 

DERMALOGICA Smart Response Serum $145

Next up, Gomez uses this serum that reacts to your skin’s needs thanks to four actives that respond when triggered. Since traveling can be so unpredictable, this is the perfect pre-travel necessity. 

DERMALOGICA Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum $92

We typically only reach for retinol at night, but when you know you’ll be sleeping (with blinds shut!) on a plane, it’s a smart way to multitask your skin care as long as you make sure your skin is moisturized too. This retinol is formulated with squalane and beta-glucan, which help ensure plenty of moisture. 

RARE BEAUTY Positive Light Under Eye Brightener $24

Gomez dots on this under-eye brightener for visibly brighter under-eyes in a pinch. 

RARE BEAUTY Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist $27

The finishing touch? This hydrating face mist seals everything in. 

Black-Owned Beauty Brands We Love

Published on by Lee1 Comment

If we could only pick one thing that we have loved to see in the beauty space over the last several years, it would be the diversification of brands—especially, Black-owned beauty brands. Top retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Target, Nordstrom, and more have diversified their catalogs exponentially to increase the number of Black-owned brands that are carried both in-store and online—and many retailers are even monitoring shelf space to ensure it remains this way.

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Having access to more Black-owned beauty brands is not only an important way to support brands and founders but also to drive change for the entire Black community. It’s easier than ever. And what’s more, so many of these brands are changing the game and challenging industry norms—we’re talking extended shade ranges, and more inclusive skincare and haircare products. And more offerings that were hard (more like practically impossible) to find before.

To celebrate this, we have compiled a list of twelve of our favorite Black-owned beauty brands that offer products across all categories: skincare, haircare, makeup, body care, tools, and more.

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12 Black-Owned Beauty Brands We Love

Topicals

Topicals offer one-step skincare solutions that are backed by science and made for every shade. With an emphasis on skincare products that are suitable for flare-ups, founder Olamide Olowe knows how connected skin health and mental health are, so Topical’s mission is to transform the way you feel about your skin.

Gilded Body

Gilded Body believes that feeling beautiful and achieving wellness is found through self-care. They carry body care products that engage the senses and invite the user to slow down and bask in the luxury of high-quality, botanically driven, dermatologically developed skincare and tools.

Pat McGrath Labs

Nicknamed the “Mother of Makeup,” Pat McGrath is the world’s most influential and in-demand makeup artist. With countless launches selling out in record-breaking times, the hype for this brand is real. And it continues to push the boundaries of the makeup industry.

Range Beauty

Range Beauty offers makeup essentials for ultra-sensitive skin—specifically, for acne and eczema. Alicia Scott, CEO, and Founder suffered from eczema and cystic acne. She was frustrated that she couldn’t find makeup that acknowledged both her skin tone and her skin conditions. Range Beauty was born to ensure that those with any skin type, in any shade, could find products they could trust.

Fenty Beauty

We’d be remiss not to include RiRi’s beauty brands, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin. After years of struggling to find products that performed across all skin types and tones, Rihanna set out to create Fenty—first starting with makeup and then extending into skincare.

Lys Beauty

The mission of Lys Beauty is to diversify the clean beauty industry. Founded by Tisha Thompson, Lys Beauty was the first Black-owned Sephora Clean Makeup brand! Their products have universal shade offerings, provide high-performance results, and the best part: they are all under $30

Oui the People

Oui the People aims to build efficacious products, designed thoughtfully, that help you feel great in the skin you’re already in rather than pursuing flawlessness. Crafted without sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates, their products range from shaving necessities like razors and exfoliators to hydrating body balms and glosses.

Pattern

Powerhouse Tracee Ellis Ross founded Pattern with the promise of meeting your hair where it is and empowering your curl pattern. To keep hair healthy, hydrated, juicy, and joyful, Pattern offers a range of products for washing, treating, and styling. 

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Briogeo

Briogeo is on a mission to empower every person to succeed on their hair health journey. They know that everyone’s journey is different, so they have multiple lines of products that are suitable for damaged hair, thin hair, frizzy hair, dry scalps, and beyond. This way, each individual can confidently embrace their unique hair, texture, color, and everything else that makes them or exactly who they are.

Mielle Organics

Monique Rodriguez is an RN turned Founder and CEO who has taken the haircare market by storm through Mielle Organics. Created with nature and science, Mielle Organics is a haircare and beauty brand that believes healthier ingredients encourage healthier hair and skin.

Luv Scrub

Mesh exfoliators have been used in West Africa for generations. But it wasn’t until 2011 when Caroline, Founder of LUV SCRUB, realized it could become a cult-favorite product outside of Ghana. It immediately pushed boundaries in the body care space. And now, this magical mesh can be found in some of the largest retailers including Nordstrom, Ulta, and Bloomingdales.

Black Girl Sunscreen

Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen after being frustrated with the lack of sunscreen options formulated for women of color. Made with melanated skin in mind, Black Girl Sunscreen has filled a large gap in the market and has continued to grow exponentially since its inception.