Skincare for Darker Skin Tones Is a Beauty Market Yet To Be Explored

When's the last time you came across a skincare product that’s worked brilliantly for every single person you know? Can’t recall it?

Different skin tones come with their own set of skincare requirements -- for example, lighter skin tones are more prone to burning under the sun, while those with darker skin tones may find themselves trying to tackle pigmentation. This means that even when two people of different skin tones may have the same skin type, the same products may not necessarily work for both of them.

Below, we speak to a dermatologist and two skincare brand founders about their take on the skincare needs for those with darker skin tones, as well as this untapped beauty market.

The Relationship Between Skin Tones and Skin Concerns

While “all skin of all colors has the same basic cellular architecture, the difference in the type and amount of pigment or color is the amount of melanin created by the cell,” explains New York-based celebrity dermatologist Dr. David Colbert, who is also the founder of the New York Dermatology Group. The differing levels of melanin are what impact the kind of skin concerns you can come across. “Darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation after any upset such as acne or eczema, because they have more available pigment.” Dr. Colbert suggests using products with glycolic acid to brighten your skin and reduce dryness, and those with kojic acid to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. He also suggests avoiding thick hair oils that can trickle down to your skin and cause facial acne.

Los Angeles-based celebrity skin expert Dr. Barbara Sturm sheds light on how darker skin tones differ from the other end of the spectrum when concerns are in question. “Clinical studies clearly show that darker skin tones, with more active melanocytes, have a unique sensitivity to inflammation, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other dysfunctions. Skin with more active melanocytes (which gives skin its color) presents a specific challenge -- a special sensitivity and tendency to experience an 'inflammation cascade' triggered by external and internal influences on the skin," she says. "This inflammation cascade is the cause of a host of symptoms, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation." Dr. Sturm adds that sebum production also tends to be greater in skin with more active melanocytes, "while the fundamental needs for hydration, nutrition and anti-aging ingredients are the same for all skin types.”

Formulating Skincare for Darker Skin Tones

The fact that darker skin tones require formulas tailored to them is something Shay Paresh, founder of SHAYDE BEAUTY, realized through her experience working on the business side of beauty. “Prior to launching SHAYDE, I worked in creative marketing and producing. Working with established brands, I saw firsthand how skin color was treated as an afterthought -- not just in marketing but down to the actual formulation process. My commitment to finding a personal solution drove my journey to launch and develop SHAYDE BEAUTY to address unmet skincare needs for people of color.”

If you thought that standard formulations can simply be tweaked for those with more melanin in their skin, think again. “When formulating skincare products for darker skin, it’s crucial to use the right amount of actives and ingredients. Too much of something could end up doing more harm than good," explains Paresh. "Many brands don’t invest in rigorous research and development that take darker skin into consideration. There needs to be a diverse team behind the products.”

With hyperpigmentation and inflammation stand out as key concerns for those with darker skin, it’s essential that you use products that have either been formulated for these skin types, or those tailored to tackle these concerns. “Beginning in 2014, I spent years and my own funds researching and developing an ingredient science-based skincare line to address the unique inflammation challenges of darker skin,” says Dr. Sturm, who has launched a Darker Skin Tones collection as a permanent part of her namesake skincare line. “The Darker Skin Tones line could also be called the ‘Super Anti-Inflammatory’ line, because it’s designed to heal and defend against the ravages of the inflammation cascade including hyperpigmentation." She elaborates, "They contain additional ingredient science shown to have potent skin-evening and anti-inflammatory effects. They are infused with ingredients that help balance out the sebum production of the skin and ingredients like lumicol, that evens skin tones for a natural, healthy glow.”

Best Skincare Products for Darker Skin Tones

Take a look at our edit of 10 skincare products that perfectly address the needs of those with darker skin tones.

SHAYDE BEAUTY Reset Luxe Night Cream

[shoppable brand="SHAYDE BEAUTY" product="Reset Luxe Night Cream" link="https://shaydebeauty.com/products/reset-luxe-night-cream" store="SHAYDE BEAUTY" price="$62 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Enzyme Cleanser

[shoppable brand="Dr. Barbara Sturm" product="Darker Skin Tones Enzyme Cleanser" link="https://www.sephora.com/product/dr-barbara-sturm-darker-skin-tones-enzyme-cleanser-P448546" store="Sephora" price="$75 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

[shoppable brand="Drunk Elephant" product="Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum" link="https://www.sephora.com/product/drunk-elephant-protini-trade-powerpeptide-resurfacing-serum-P470024" store="Sephora" price="$82 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Glossier Invisible Shield

[shoppable brand="Glossier" product="Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen" link="https://www.glossier.com/products/invisible-shield?locale=en-US" store="Glossier" price="$25 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Urban Skin Rx Complexion Protection Moisturizer SPF30

[shoppable brand="Urban Skin Rx" product="Complexion Protection Moisturizer SPF30" link="https://urbanskinrx.com/products/complexion-protection-moisturizer-spf-30" store="Urban Skin Rx" price="$20 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Purearth Qing Cleansing Oil

[shoppable brand="Purearth" product="Qing Cleansing Oil" link="https://purearth.asia/products/qing-cleansing-oil" store="Purearth" price="$80 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

[shoppable brand="Sunday Riley" product="A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum" link="https://www.sephora.com/product/a-high-dose-retinoid-serum-P440075" store="Sephora" price="$85 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Epara Brightening Night Balm

[shoppable brand="Epara" product="Brightening Night Balm" link="https://www.eparaskincare.com/products/brightening-night-balm" store="Epara" price="£100 GBP (Approx. $139 USD)"]

[/shoppable]

BondiChic Australian Blue Mountains Natural Spring Water Hydrating Mist

[shoppable brand="BondiChic" product="Australian Blue Mountains Natural Spring Water Hydrating Mist with Kakadu Plum" link="https://bondichic.com.au/product/australian-blue-mountains-natural-spring-water-hydrating-mist-kakadu-plum/" store="BondiChic" price="$27 AUD (Approx. $21 USD)"]

[/shoppable]

Colbert MD Stimulate The Serum

[shoppable brand="Colbert MD" product="Stimulate The Serum" link="https://www.colbertmd.com/products/stimulate-serum" store="Colbert MD" price="$170 USD"]

[/shoppable]

Anjan Sachar is a Mumbai-based beauty editor and content consultant with 6+ years of editorial experience in the beauty and wellness space. Having previously worked at Vogue India and ELLE India, her words can be found on multiple editorial platforms in India and around the world. You can connect with Anjan on Instagram and on her blog.

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