7 Tips For A Simple Skin Care Routine For Dark Skin

In honor of Black History month, let's look at an easy skin care routine to ensure that your dark skin glows and radiates with health. It can be hard to know what skin care ingredients to use for darker skin tones.


In this article, we provide our recommendation products and ingredients to help you achieve that luminous healthy glow we all love to achieve.

Before we dive in, you can learn the science behind why Brown and Black skin are different to White and lighter skin in my previous blog article here.

 

How Can I Make My Darker Skin Glow?

A good skincare ritual is the best way to achieve glowing skin. You can use natural products that are made with ethical ingredients because they are healthy not only for your skin but also for your body. 


Sustainable beauty products are great because they are gentle on the environment and don’t cause long-lasting damage to the resources we require for survival. Not only that they are generally made with holistic health in mind, meaning that they contain botanical ingredients which truly nourish your health and body.

 

What Is The Easiest Skin Care Routine For Darker Skin?


Here are our top tips for a simple daily and weekly skincare ritual for darker skin. Using the right skincare products, in the right order, and at the right times is vital for an effective skin care routine and deep nutrition for the skin.


Morning And Night Time | Daily Skin Care Ritual

Makeup Remover

Removing makeup before cleansing is a great way to ensure that you truly remove any possible material that could clog the pores. There are many products out there specifically targeted at removing makeup, but you can also improvize.


Oil cleansing is a great way to remove makeup as oil attracts oil, so it easily removes stubborn makeup effortlessly. Simply apply the oil to the face and use the fingers to rub the oil gently into the skin with small circular motions that loosen your makeup. And you can then use a cotton wool pad or reusable cloth pad to wipe away the mixture of oil and makeup.

Try Three Ships Nourish Lavender + MCT Cleansing Oil. It is formulated with coconut oil to emulsify debris and dirt, geranium oil to purify pores and nourish, and lavender oil for soothing inflammation. 

Darker skin tones tend to produce more oil than lighter skin tones, so picking an oil that is non-comedogenic not only helps to prevent your pores from clogging but can also help to balance oil production. Stripping the skin of its natural oils with a strong astringent make-up remover can actually cause the skin to produce more oil and increase the risk of inflammation and breakouts.

 

Facial Cleanser

Using a good facial cleanser in the morning and nighttime is vital as it is the second step of removing the build-up of grime, dirt, and debris from the skin. This helps to prevent pimples, acne, or dull-looking skin.


There are a variety of different options to choose from such as soaps or liquid cleansers. We recommend looking for products that contain gentle cleansing ingredients whilst also balancing those with hydrating and nourishing botanicals.


The Marshmallow Face Cleanser by EarthWise Beauty is a great choice for darker skin tones because it contains calendula petals, pumpkin seed oil, and aloe vera which aid in skin healing. The balance of moisturizing and protective natural plant oils, such as jojoba seed oil and organic hemp seed oil, ensure that darker skin won’t be dried out during the cleansing process. 

Darker skin tones tend to need higher moisturization than lighter skin tones. So products like the Marshmallow Face Cleanser by EarthWise Beauty are highly beneficial for Black and brown skin. The botanical ingredients like aloe vera, organic hemp seed oil, and jojoba seed oil help to add moisture back into the skin, and seal it into the skin even during the cleansing process.

 

Facial Toner

A good toner is the final step to ensuring any debris or nasties are removed from your skin. It is also a vital step to prepare for moisturization. Moistening the skin before adding a facial cream, facial oil, or facial serum makes sure that you lock moisture into the skin as opposed to sealing moisture out.


The timing of moisturizer is really important for deep hydration which is vital for optimal skin health. We recommend pure rose water or the Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Toner by Earth Harbor. 


The Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Toner by Earth Harbor is specially formulated with antioxidants such as seaweed and white tea extract to help protect and heal the skin from sun damage. Darker skin tones are prone to hyperpigmentation so products high in antioxidants are really beneficial to reduce sun damage. Sun damage is a common cause of unwanted dark spots and uneven skin tones, so incorporating antioxidants into your skin routine

 

Moisturizer, Facial Oil, Or Facial Serum

You can switch up different hydration products depending on your skin’s needs and the time of day. Perhaps you want to opt for an oil or serum at night, and cream during the day to prevent excess shine.


We recommend these different options depending on your choice of hydration:

Bloom Jelly Serum Bar by Dew Mighty

Aloha Youth Serum by Honua Skincare

Helios Anti-Pollution Youth Ampoule by Earth Harbor


The Bloom Jelly Serum Bar by Dew Mighty is a great option for zero-waste minimalist skin care lovers. Its concentrated formula provides a potent potion in a small package. The Bloom Jelly Serum Bar contains olive squalene which is vital for hydration and a super moisturizing booster for dark skin. 


Aloha Youth Serum by Honua Skincare contains a bakuchiol which is a magical plant-based retinol alternative and antioxidant. This amazing formula helps to brighten, tighten, and rejuvenate the skin. The Aloha Youth Serum contains aloe vera, rose water, and a variety of plant-based oils. This unique formulation is perfect to hydrate and soothe dry and inflamed dark skin, whilst sealing in all that goodness with the likes of kukui nut seed oil, turmeric root oil, and ylang-ylang flower oil.


Helios Anti-Pollution Youth Ampoule by Earth Harbor helps you detox the skin through its protect and repair formula. Enriched with vitamin C and packed with antioxidants — makes this a great option for city-dwellers. Its powerful composition of organic red algae astaxanthin extract, sunflower vitamin E, and organic sweet orange peel oil ensure that dark skin is guarded from hyperpigmentation and improves existing unwanted sun damage.


Facial SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

Using a good SPF is vital for preventing premature aging, hyperpigmentation, dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Apply your SPF in the morning and early afternoon if possible for full-day coverage.


We recommend the Malu Day Cream SPF 30 by Honua Skincare which is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This is a great sunscreen that is balanced with antioxidants and botanical ingredients to nourish and protect the skin from sun damage. The Malu Day Cream contains aloe vera, squalene, orange peel extract, and jasmine oil to saturate dark skin with moisture and rejuvenate with plant power.


We also recommend Farizad’s Veil Sun Reflector by EarthWise Beauty. Whilst it is not a sunscreen it does contain active sun-reflecting ingredients that can shield the skin from the sun. So this can be a good option to use as a moisturizing base, before applying the Malu Day Cream SPF 30. Farizad’s Veil Sun Reflector contains rose centifolia absolute which is anti-inflammatory and helps to balance skin complexion and tone, which is perfect for dark skin that is dull and uneven in skin stone.

 

Weekly Skin Care Ritual Options

Here are some treats for a weekly skincare ritual. It is best to tailor your skincare ritual according to your skin’s current needs. The products, ingredients, and weekly skincare pamper rituals you use should change depending on the season, weather, and your skin’s current health.

 

Face Mask

Face masks are great for extra nourishment. Filled with a high volume of brightening, refreshing, and rejuvenating ingredients—they are perfect for giving your skin an extra boost.


We recommend the Jaipur Brightening Enzyme Mask by M.S. Skincare and the Catharsis Face Mask by EarthWise Beauty


The Catharsis Face Mask by EarthWise Beauty is filled with powerful ayurvedic ingredients like aloe vera and neem powder to firm and invigorate tired, dull, and luster-lacking skin. The Catharsis Face Mask contains organic spirulina platensis powder which improves radiance and boosts skin nutrition and health.


Enjoy the traditional treats of Ayurveda in the Jaipur Brightening Enzyme Mask by M.S. Skincare. This amazing face mask smoothes skin texture, tones, and tightens. Filled with nutritious ingredients like vitamin E, organic neem seed oil, and sandalwood essential oil it helps to repair, protect, and encourage a healthy glow in darker skin tones.

 

Facial Exfoliants

Facial exfoliants are perfect for removing dead skin cells, brightening the complexion, and improving skin texture. They help to renew the skin and improve your glow. Facial and exfoliators are vital for darker skin tones to ensure that the skin can be properly moisturized. Not only does incorporating a weekly facial peel or exfoliator into your skin ritual help to give you an immediate boost in radiance, but it’s also a vital component in ensuring that your skin is able to receive adequate hydration.


Try out one of these:

Cactus Flower Exfoliant by Nopalera

Hyaluronic Acid Intense Soothing Serum by Fait avec Coeur

Enlighten Retexturizing Glycolic Treatment by M.S. Skincare

Hawaiian Beauty Water by Honua Skincare

Coffee Face Scrub With Citrus Blend by UpCircle Beauty


The Cactus Flower Exfoliant by Nopalera contains salicylic acid which is great for acne-prone skin. It is also balanced with shea butter, jojoba oil, and safflower seed oil to prevent the skin from drying out.


Hyaluronic Acid Intense Soothing Serum by Fait avec Coeur is perfect for sensitive skin. This unique formula heals, hydrates, and detoxifies the skin to reveal fresh, radiant beauty.


Whilst the Enlighten Retexturizing Glycolic Treatment by M.S. Skincare contains a unique blend of glycolic acid, seaweed, and hibiscus to ensure that the skin is replenished, hydrated, and illuminated.


The Hawaiian Beauty Water by Honua Skincare is perfect for sensitive skin. It contains a harmonious mix of antioxidants and plant-based ingredients which are gentle on the skin the prevent irritation or inflammation.


Coffee Face Scrub With Citrus Blend by UpCircle Beauty makes the most of sustainable ingredients by using pre-loved coffee powder which saves them from landfills. UpCircle Beauty is dedicated to finding innovative ways to reduce waste and re-love ingredients that would otherwise be discarded.

 

Conclusion


Caring for darker skin tones is super easy with powerful plant-based sustainable beauty products. They nourish, protect, and hydrate to reveal fresh-looking youthful skin that is radiant and glowing. For more information on the needs of darker skin tones be sure to check out our post on the top tips for choosing skin care for dark skin.


Keeping a consistent routine ensures that your skin always looks its best. It’s vital to listen to the skin and intuitively adapt your routine as and when your skin needs—your skincare routine shouldn’t be stagnant it should flow like the tides of the ocean.

 

Carmen Lee is a certified yoga teacher, childbirth doula, and wellness coach. She educates on womb wellness, sacred wisdom, and ancestral-connected living. You’ll find her passionately advocating radical self-care and transformational self-empowerment through sustainable beauty and self-love rituals.

 

Some of the products promoted in our blog are from our online store. Many others are brands we have researched and found to be great examples of sustainable, ethical, and innovative brands in their field, and we don't make any profit from mentioning them in our blog. #CollaborationOverCompetition