In a beauty industry that often fails to cater to all women of color, many of those women and their families, have decided to take a stand by taking matters into their own hands by starting their own companies.

Black skin is unique and beautiful. But, to keep our skin glowing and youthful for years to come, we have to our skincare needs into our own hands, sis.

If you have Black skin, you know it creates a gorgeous silky complexion but, it also comes with some cosmetic skincare issues. For example, as women of color, both dry and oily patches are standard and these are just some of the issues we are faced with. Our skin is firm, which will help deter wrinkles in the long run, but it also has a high concentration of cellular layers. This concentration helps strengthen the stratum corneum otherwise known as the outer layer of your skin, according to Healthline.

Our skin also contains large amounts of melanin. In other words, people with darker skin tones have a higher resistance to UV damage caused by the sun. However, that doesn’t mean we are immune to the sun's damage. The appropriate precautions should still be considered by protecting your skin with a daily SPF. That’s where these specialized moisturizers come into play.

Moisturizing is essential for a healthy, glowing complexion.

There are many benefits to moisturizing your skin every day. Some interests include keeping your skin hydrated and youthful and creating a barrier between your skin and weather conditions.

Finding the perfect moisturizer for our skin type can be tough though, given a lot of skincare products are specifically marketed toward lighter skin shades. That's why I've created a list of the best moisturizers for black skin that can fulfill all of our aesthetic needs.

Key features to look for in a moisturizer include collagen boosters, infused vitamins, and of course, sun protection. Here’s my list of six black-owned moisturizers that you should try today:

DR. Woods Naturally

Photo: Dr. Woods NAturally

First conceived by Van Woods, son of Sylvia Woods, founder of the famous and soul food inspired Sylvia’s Restaurant in New York City, Dr. Woods’s brand specializes in non-detergent Black Soaps that are naturally rich in iron, Vitamins A and E, anti-oxidants, and skin-regenerating compounds, perfect for all skin types.

Alice Inc.

Photo: Alice Inc.

Alice Inc: This skincare company specializes in crafting affordable, handmade creams, oils, butter and soaps for all types of natural hair and skin. Their top ingredients include coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and other essentials to help your natural hair and skin thrive.

Shea Moisture

This all-natural company produces products for the hair, skin, and body for both women and men, and it's something that I love and use daily. The inspiration for the business stemmed from an influential grandmother, Sofi Tucker, who curated and sold her line of Shea Butter, African Black Soap and her homemade hair and skin products.

Blac minerals

Photo: Blac Minerals

This business focuses on all natural makeup for women of color. What's even better? All of their products are free from animal testing, synthetic dyes, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, benzene, mineral oil, petroleum, peanut oil, triclosan, and other chemicals, according to their official site.

blk + grn

Photo: BLK + GRN

Blk + Grn not only uses its platform to showcase women of color, but it also creates nontoxic and ethical products. One fantastic example is Jacq's Organics line. One feature product is their creamy cleanser infused with amino acids and papaya extract to shed dead skin cells, all while giving your face a nice, fresh glow.

base butter

Photo: Base Butter

Base Butter is a refreshing line of skincare products curated by founder She'Neil Johnson. Awaken your inner radiant self with Base Butter's signature Glow Geranium Shimmer Stick or feed your skin the nutrients it craves with the line's Tea Tree & Lavender Face Gel. Most importantly, these products were made for and by women of color. So what are you waiting for? Go out and grab some of their products today.

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