5 Skin Care Products For Black Men

Something awesome is happening. As the beauty and wellness world grows to become more inclusive, men are getting more and more comfortable exploring different ways to engage in self-care. One of those ways is through skincare.

When it comes to skin, men want the same thing as women: skin that’s smooth, bright, clear, and youthful. But for a long time, skincare had been marketed primarily towards women, and I think that’s why many men find it tricky to build a solid skincare routine.

I’ve done the research so that you don’t have to. 

Below, you’ll find five must-have skincare products that together create a nice baseline for your new regimen.

If you have any specific needs or concerns (such as acne, sensitivity, dryness, etc.), please hit up your dermatologist and get recommendations tailored just for you.

Let’s get into it.

Cleanser

First thing you gotta do is cleanse your skin! Throughout the day, your skin accumulates bacteria, dirt, excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and more. A high-quality facial cleanser like our new MY Face Cleanser will help you wash all of that off without overly stripping your skin of moisture.

People typically cleanse twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. But if you really want to simplify your routine, once in the evening works just fine, since that’s when skin is the dirtiest. Always make sure you hit your pillow with a fresh face!

SPF

We hear all the time that “black don’t crack”, and while it’s true that melanin-rich skin ages more slowly, that doesn’t automatically cancel out the need for sunscreen. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey Hartman of Skin Wellness Institute, it’s important to take into consideration sun exposure and your skin sensitivity when deciding to wear sunscreen.

Sun protection goes beyond wrinkles and sunburns. Serious health problems such as skin cancer have been linked to sun damage. So gentlemen, make sure you’re taking your skin and health seriously by wearing a minimum of SPF 30.

Moisturizer/Hydrator

As with hair products, hydrating and moisturizing are different functions in skincare. Hydrating refers to replenishing the skin’s water content, while moisturizing refers to locking in moisture and hydration with oil. You need both, and luckily you can find products that moisturize and hydrate your skin.

This step is especially important at nighttime because it helps with the regenerative process that your skin naturally goes through at night — boosting healing and cellular turnover, promoting clear and bright skin, and helping you wake up with a smoother complexion. Right now, we’re loving our new MY Face Hydrator.

Bonus tip: Look for active ingredients like retinol for extra anti-aging properties. 

Exfoliator

Once or twice a week, you want to include a little exfoliation right after cleansing your face.

There are two types of exfoliants — physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants use tiny particles like sugar, pumice, salt, or nutshell powder to scrub away dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants work with acids called BHAs and AHAs.

At the end of the day, you don’t want to compromise the integrity of your skin, so talk to your dermatologist about choosing the right product for you. When in doubt, the gentler, the better.

Bonus tip: If you have oily skin, talk to your dermatologist about incorporating a mild peeling mask treatment into your routine.

Eye Cream

The skin around our eyes is super delicate, which is why it’s often the first place to show signs of aging. That’s where eye cream comes in to nourish and rejuvenate. It’s often very rich and thick, taking it a step further than your normal moisturizer..

On top of wrinkle prevention, some eye creams also fight puffiness and dark circles with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and caffeine extract. Use this morning and night.

Bottom line

Skincare doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start out with these five essential products: cleanser, SPF, moisturizer, exfoliator, and eye cream. You’ll start your skincare journey with a solid foundation and be on your way to looking and feeling unstoppable.