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25 Best Lotions and Moisturizers for Black Skin: Reviews & Buying Guide

by  Doris Harris -  Last Updated On 17th December 2020
Best Lotions and Moisturizers for Black Skin

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Dry skin is noticeable on dark skin tones. If you can see that you’re ashy, then your skin is thirsty.
To look and feel healthier, you need the best lotion and moisturizer for black skin.

But how do you moisturize African American skin?

Well, it comes down to skin type.

If you have dehydrated skin, you need a thick, reparative cream. If you’re worried about it being too greasy during the day, put it on at night before bed.

Even your skin is naturally oily; you’ll still benefit from moisturizing. It keeps the skin healthy. Just use a lightweight, non-comedogenic product.

In either case, look for humectants like glycerin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. These draw water into the skin.

Then, emollients like shea butter and plant oils seal in the moisture.

You can get other benefits from antioxidants and exfoliants.

For example, antioxidants like vitamins C and E repair skin damaged by sun exposure and aging. It also includes vitamin E and reduces dark spots.

Meanwhile, exfoliants like salicylic or alpha hydroxy acids gently remove dead skin to help the lotion penetrate better.

Check out the reviews below to find the perfect moisturizer for your needs.

Now, let us take a look at the best lotion for black skin.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.

25 Top Lotions and Moisturizers for Black Skin (2021 Reviews)

1. Shea Moisture Body Lotion for Troubled Skin

Shea Moisture has African roots. Their business unofficially started with their grandmother in Sierra Leone. It was the turn of the twentieth century, and she was a widow who sold homemade skin and hair preparations to support her family.

Nowadays, the company stays true to its beginnings by using Fair Trade shea butter and other sustainably-sourced natural ingredients in their products.

They make various body lotions like this one for severely dry, itchy skin.

It also includes vitamin E and reduces dark spots.

Its formula is similar to what’s in traditional African Black soap. Namely, those are tamarind extract, oats, aloe, plantain peel, and palm ash. We feel these are the best body lotions for black skin. This is also suitable for dry skin.

It soothes irritation and smooths rough texture. Use it morning and night, and you’ll never have to deal with ashy skin again.

2. Shea Moisture Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Body Lotion

Someone asked about a glow lotion for dark skin. I’d say try this coconut oil lotion from Shea Moisture. It will make anyone’s skin more supple without leaving it greasy.

Besides shea butter and coconut, it has acacia gum from Senegal to calm inflammation.

There are also green tea (packed with antioxidants) and grapeseed oil to prevent premature aging.

We feel these are the best body lotions for black skin. This is also suitable for dry skin.

3. Shea Moisture Coconut Oil & Organic Shea Butter Body Lotion

I couldn’t resist adding this body butter. It’s a creamy treat for your skin.

It’s full of emollients like coconut oil, murumuru butter, and shea butter. These naturally contain antioxidants and vitamins plus omega fatty acids. They lock in hydration and promote healing.

Like other products from the same company, it’s free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petroleum.

4. Ancient Greek Remedy Body Butter

From the Mediterranean comes an all-natural solution for dry skin. It’s a blend of cold-pressed extra virgin olive, grapeseed, sunflower, castor, and sweet almond oils.

There’s also lavender essential oil to give it a relaxing fragrance. (Or you can purchase it unscented.)

Everything is free of gluten and parabens and non-GMO. This is also suitable for dry skin.

Apply this rich facial moisturizer to all over your body right after your shower. It helps smooth fine lines and heals cuticles. Plus, it gives the skin a healthy sheen.

5. Ambi Skincare Soft & Even Creamy Oil Lotion

Ambi markets its products to women of color. But I have to be honest with you. I’m a little disappointed with them.

First, let’s look at the good things.

There’s nothing wrong with the quality of this lotion. It improves the skin’s moisture for twenty-four hours after you put it on.

Moreover, it has a mild fragrance, and it’s not greasy.

But then, I read the ingredients. We are in the 21st century, and they are still putting parabens in the facial moisturizer.

Parabens are linked to hormonal disruption. Nobody needs that.

6. Gold Bond Ultimate Radiance Renewal

Gold Bond makes a variety of lotions. Let’s start with this one that promises to rejuvenate flaky and ashy skin.

It has a blend of cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil – three of the best emollients for dry skin.

It also has ingredients that gently exfoliate dead cells. This is also suitable for dry skin.

Some users say that it helps them recover from minor cuts and insect bites faster than usual.

7. Gold Bond Ultimate Overnight Deep Moisturizing Lotion

If you have severely dry skin or want to smooth rough elbows and knees, try this overnight lotion. It has a calming fragrance to help you sleep.

Next, it makes good use of the time your body spends repairing itself. It has hyaluronic acid plus other moisturizers to provide deep hydration.

Finally, the effects last for a full day after you apply it.

8. Love Beauty And Planet Body Lotion Shea Velvet

Here’s the perfect lotion for those who prefer vegan products.

It’s made with ethically-sourced sandalwood. Then, the shea nuts for the butter come from local farming communities in Burkina Faso and Ghana.

But it’s not just kind to the environment; it’s also a first-rate moisturizer with effects that last for 24 hours.

9. Hempz Natural Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Creme

Hempz offers various scents for their assortment of lotions. I chose this one as it’s healing for mature skin.

It smells like peach and grapefruit. Even though it contains hemp seed oil, there’s no THC or psychoactive component.

Instead, it diminishes inflammation and firms the skin with exotic Yangu oil.

Other ingredients include butter, aloe, and cucumber. You can also go for Palmer’s cocoa butter formula

10. Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula with Vitamin E Body Lotion

It’s hard to grow up black without trying Palmer’s coconut oil lotion at least once. That’s because it works well, isn’t greasy, and smells like a tropical vacation.

It also doesn’t have garbage like phthalates, artificial dyes, or parabens in it.

Besides certified organic coconut oil, it has Monoi from the Pacific Islands. The last ingredient is gardenia extract from the Tahitian Tiare plant. It’s a traditional skincare remedy.

You can also go for Palmer’s cocoa butter formula

11. OGX Radiant Glow + Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Hydrating Lotion

OGX is another brand that offers a variety of excellent body lotions. This one will make your skin touchably soft and radiant.

Part of the secret is argan oil. It’s from a tree in Morocco. This age-old cure for dry skin and hair won’t clog pores.

But there’s also silk protein to leave your skin sleek.

Furthermore, OGX uses exotic ingredients from sustainable sources, and they leave out harsh chemicals.

You can also go for Palmer’s cocoa butter formula, which is a great choice.

12. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

Weleda’s Skin Food is mild enough to use on the face and potent enough to fix cracked heels.

It’s based on a fragrant herbal blend of calendula, pansy, and chamomile. Together, they promote the healing of dry, sensitive skin and oily skin.

This product is certified by NATRUE to be free of artificial dyes, preservatives, fragrances, and mineral oil and ensures smooth skin. We feel this is one of the finest skin-care products out there.

13. Everyone Lotion

With all the hand-washing we’ve been doing lately, I’ve made sure we have a bottle of moisturizer right by the sink.

You might find that the Everyone Lotion is perfect for this purpose.

We feel this is one of the finest skin-care products out there.

It has vegetable glycerin to draw in moisture. Then, coconut, aloe, and sesame oil keep the skin hydrated, soft, and comfortable. This is perfectly suitable for irritated skin.

It’s mild enough for the whole family. It’s EWG-verified, too. That means it’s free of parabens, perfumes, dyes, and phthalates.

14. NIVEA Shea Daily Moisture Body Lotion

Nivea’s daily lotion sinks in within seconds, but the effects last for up to two days. Even after using it just once, you should notice a difference.

Although it has butter, the real workhorses are glycerin and mineral oil. One hydrates while the other prevents moisture loss.

15. Neutrogena Moisturizing Sheer Body Oil-Lotion

Neutrogena makes several lotions, including this one made with sesame oil. It’s surprising how fast the oil sinks into the skin.

It’s kind to all skin types as it won’t clog pores. This is perfectly suitable for irritated skin.

However, I am sad to report that the label lists three kinds of parabens and an artificial fragrance.

16. Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer With Enriching Shea Oil

Yes, this is another moisturizer with parabens. But if you can get past that, the concept is cool.

It’s just what you need when you’re in too much of a hurry to put on lotion after you shower. Instead, you put the moisturizer on wet skin before you grab the towel.

It sinks in quickly enough that you’ll be dressed in no time.

17. Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin

If you hate it when your lotion competes with your perfume or cologne, try this fragrance-free version instead.

Aveeno is a trusted brand recommended by dermatologists. They focus on using oats, a natural remedy for irritated, dry skin.

This formula has its proprietary Triple Oat Complex with oat oil, extract, and flour. It also has butter and dimethicone.

One application is enough to stop the itching for twenty-four hours. In fact, as soon as you put it on, you should feel relief.

18. Alba Botanica Very Emollient, Unscented Body Lotion

Alba Botanica makes unscented, original, Coconut Rescue, and Herbal Healing lotions. I selected the unscented version as it has no artificial fragrance, phthalates, or parabens.

It’s ideal for a sensitive skin type.

What’s more, it’s cruelty-free and vegetarian. To be honest, I’m not clear on why it’s vegetarian and not vegan, but I’ll take what I can get.

Instead of heavy, pore-clogging ingredients, it has lightweight emollients like jojoba seed and avocado oil plus butter.

If you are looking for medium thick lotions you can opt for the. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

19. NIVEA Men Maximum Hydration 3-in-1 Nourishing Lotion – Body, Face, Hands

Guys need lotion, too. This one covers all the bases as it’s good for the whole body. It won’t clog pores, and it’s pleasant for after shaving.

There’s no reason why women can’t enjoy it unless they prefer a less masculine fragrance.

The effects last for twenty-four hours after it’s applied.

If you are looking for medium thick lotions you can opt for the. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

20. Lubriderm Men’s 3-In-1 Lotion

Lubriderm’s Men’s Lotion is also an after-shave moisturizer, a face lotion, and a body moisturizer.

It has a fresh, clean scent, and it absorbs quickly.

Although the company points out that the formula is “enriched” with minerals and aloe, the label shows that the first three ingredients are water, mineral oil, and glycerin. Still, I don’t see many complaints about it.

21. Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion

Cetaphil’s non-greasy lotion doesn’t smell like anything. It absorbs quickly, and it smooths the skin with science.

In other words, it has an Epidermal Replenishing Complex with a blend of natural and laboratory-designed components.

These include butter, cyclopentasiloxane, and sodium panthenol. They fortify the skin to prevent dehydration and will keep skin hydrated.

If you are looking for medium thick lotions you can opt for the. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

22. Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion

I wouldn’t be surprised if your dermatologist recommended Eucerin products to you. The Intensive Repair Lotion has a three-part system to restore extra-dry skin to health.

With as little as one use, it starts to clear up flaking and alleviates itching.

Please take note that it has alpha hydroxy acid in it. It removes dead skin but can also make you more sensitive to the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen if you spend time outdoors.

23. CeraVe Eczema Creamy Oil

CeraVe’s Creamy Oil is a little bit of heaven for eczema-prone skin. The National Eczema Association also accepts it as a safe product.

It contains hyaluronic acid, a moisturizer that holds up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

Next, there are ceramides to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier against infection.

Lastly, the formula is free of perfumes, dyes, and parabens. It’s non-comedogenic to prevent acne, too. You can also go for the CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion.

24. Shea Moisture Organic Baby Healing Lotion

Babies with black skin need lotion like this. It’s based on raw butter, argan oil, green tea, and chamomile.

Together, they comfort an infant’s delicate skin after a bath or at any time of the day.

25. Earth Mama Calming Lavender Baby Lotion

This baby lotion smells so good that moms will want to try it, too. It’s the perfect way to calm down before bed.

Earth Mama’s products are natural and as safe as possible. For example, this one carries certification for personal care products with organic ingredients like green tea.

It’s also been tested by dermatologists.

Conclusion

The right moisturizer can make your skin look and feel younger. It will make you feel more comfortable, as well.

Choose one that you’ll enjoy using every day to get the most from it.

If we helped you find a skincare product that makes you happy, come back and tell us about it.

Sources:

1. https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Beautiful-African-American-Skin by wikiHow Staff Editor and co-authors,

2. https://www.leaf.tv/5259240/how-to-take-care-of-black-skin/ by Jonae Fredericks,

One response to “25 Best Lotions and Moisturizers for Black Skin: Reviews & Buying Guide”

  1. Bertha Asare says:

    Am yet to try one of them,,,,so will get back to u

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