Best exfoliators for black skin in 2023 (Hello, glowing skin!)
Are you looking for the best exfoliator for black skin? A vital step in your skincare routine is exfoliating, but choosing the right exfoliator can be daunting.
Knowing that one size doesn’t fit all, I’ve done my research and found the best exfoliators out there — specifically tailored to your unique needs as someone with black skin. Whether you want simple home remedies or more advanced store-bought products, this blog post has got answers for you!
Read on to learn how you can find the perfect exfoliator for beautiful body and face skin that gives you a natural shine like never before!
12 Best exfoliators for dark skin (based on your skin needs!)
Best body scrub for dark skin
Beneath Your Mask Polish Detoxifying Body Scrub
[This is a black-owned business]
This scrub uses dead sea salt and Bentonite clary to exfoliate and detoxify the skin, removing any impurities or dirt buildup and leaving it feeling soft and supple. With its blend of essential oils and nourishing aloe vera, this scrub also helps to restore hydration deep into the layers of the skin and restore your skin’s natural PH balance.
Best exfoliator for oily skin
Facetheory Glycolic Acid Face & Body Scrub
Most body scrubs provide hydration and are formulated for those with dry or normal skin. However, if you have oily skin, it is equally important that you’re exfoliating your skin since your skin tends to produce a lot of oil. This is where Facetheory Glycolic acid face and body scrub comes in. It’s specifrically formulated for those with oily skin to leave your face and body softer and smoother.
Shop: exfoliator
Best exfoliator for dry skin
Talula Body Scrub
[This is a black-owned business]
This body scrub was formulated specifically for those with dry skin and includes natural ingredients such as cane sugar, shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and grape seed oil to help lightly exfoliate your skin while also providing deep hydration for smooth, moisturized and glowing skin.
Best exfoliator for combination skin
Fenty Skin Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub
[This is a black-owned brand]
This body scrub is formulated with sugar, salt, superfine sand, fruit enzymes, and nourishing oils that polish, smooths, and refine skin, making it a great choice for those with combination skin. Additionally, it leaves your skin hydrated, thanks to the addition of coconut oil.
Best facial exfoliator for black skin
Buttah Skin Tea Tree & Aloe Mask Facial scrub
[This is a black-owned business]
This facial scrub starts as a treatment mask with kaolin clay that absorbs oils and smooths skin; then, it transforms into a gentle foam cleanser. This is a great exfoliating scrub for dark skin who want their face to glow, as this scrub uses natural ingredients to gently buff away dead skin cells without damaging the surface of your complexion. The tea tree oil helps soothe and calm the skin, while the aloe vera provides an antioxidant boost that brightens up dull areas.
Best exfoliator for sensitive skin
Raw Sugar Sensitive Skin Whipped Polish Green Tea + Cucumber + Aloe Vera
For those with darker skin tones, this gentle scrub from Raw Sugar is a great option. Its formula contains green tea, cucumber, and aloe vera, which all work together to carefully exfoliate the skin without causing any irritation. The natural ingredients in this scrub helps to remove dead skin cells for a brighter, smoother skin tone. It’s suitable for those with sensitive skin since the scrub is mild and hydrating.
Best scrub for dark spots
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Body Scrub 10% AHA BHA Resurfacing Complex + Crushed Maracujá Seeds
This two-in-one exfoliating scrub is a high-rated body scrub that is great for dark skin. The powerful 10% AHA BHA resurfacing complex helps to reduce discoloration and dark spots, while the crushed Maracujá Seeds provide a gentle exfoliation that won’t over-scrub or damage your skin. It’s perfect for those who are looking to brighten, smooth, and even out their complexion without irritation.
Best exfoliating soap for black skin
Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
This is a gentle exfoliating soap bar that is perfect for dark skin that helps to remove dead skin cells, oil, and other dirt from the surface of the skin. It is made with natural ingredients like Bamboo Powder to exfoliate the skin, sunflower seed oil to lock in moisture, and an orange blossom fragrance blend for a subtle yet refreshing scent.
Best exfoliating body wash for black skin
Hinoki Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash
If you’re looking for a body wash with a gentle yet effective exfoliation, try Hinoki Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash, formulated with clean, eco-friendly, and natural ingredients that you can feel good about, and that’s good for your body. This body wash includes cellulose to exfoliate the skin and an awakening Essential Oil Blend that has been shown to lift your mood and ease stress.
Best anti-aging exfoliator
Versed Buff It Out AHA Exfoliating Body Scrub
This body scrub is formulated for those with aging skin who want glowing, and revitalized skin. This scrub includes pomegranate enzymes to help with cell renewal and AHAs to target hyperpigmentation and reveal fresh, bright skin.
Best chemical exfoliant for black skin
Dr. Dennis Gross SkincareAlpha Beta® Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel
This exfoliating body peel is a great choice for dark skin. It contains lactic acid and glycolic acids (AHA) that work to improve tone and texture. Additionally, it also contains Salicylic Acid (BHA) to help reduces the appearance of pore blockage and support natural collagen.
Best exfoliating mesh for black skin
Luv Scrub Mesh Exfoliator:
[This is a black-owned brand]
Looking to exfoliate your skin manually? This 100% nylon mesh is influenced by a West African beauty ritual and is gentle enough for daily exfoliation to help with ingrown, body acne, and dead skin. The mesh is long enough to reach your back and lasts up to 18 months. However, this mesh is not recommended for those with sensitive skin conditions.
How to exfoliate your skin (step-by-step)
1. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser or face wash. You never want to exfoliate your skin while it’s dirty or you’re wearing makeup, as this can actually irritate your skin.
2. Splash your face with water or wipe your face with a damp towel. It’s usually best to exfoliate with a scrub while your skin is wet.
3. Gently massage a few drops of exfoliating product into your damp face with your fingers in small circular motions. Another option is a facial brush; however, be sure while scrubbing you’re not too harsh or abrasive. Apply a light pressure but don’t scrub too hard.
4. Rinse off the product with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a towel.
Benefits of exfoliating your skin
Exfoliating your skin is an important part of any skincare routine, but particularly for people like us with dark skin. Regular exfoliation helps to remove the barrier of dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores, uneven pigmentation, and a dull complexion.
Here are some of the benefits of exfoliating your skin:
Enhances Skin Tone: Exfoliation helps to even out the complexion and improve skin tone. By removing the layer of dead skin cells, exfoliating reveals a brighter and clearer complexion.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation or dark spots. Exfoliating regularly helps to reduce the appearance of darker patches on the skin, allowing for a more even overall tone.
Reduces Acne Breakouts: By removing dead skin and unclogging pores, exfoliating helps to reduce acne breakouts. This is especially beneficial for dark skin types, as acne can be more difficult to treat due to the skin’s thicker texture.
Boosts Cell Turnover: Regular exfoliation promotes cell turnover, which helps to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. It also helps to stimulate collagen production, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother than ever before.
Helps prevent ingrown hairs: Darker skin types are more prone to ingrown hairs. Exfoliating helps prevent them by removing the layer of dead skin from the surface and allowing hairs to grow out properly.
Makes your skin shinier: Exfoliating helps to remove the build-up of dirt, oil and impurities on the surface of your skin. This can make your skin look brighter and shinier, giving you an overall healthy-looking glow.
Keeps your looking young: As someone in my 30’s, exfoliating is helping to keep my skin looking young. Regular exfoliation is key to keeping your skin looking young and vibrant. It helps to remove dead skin cells, improve uneven pigmentation and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a youthful complexion.
By exfoliating regularly, you can help keep your skin looking healthy, youthful, and even-toned.
Different types of exfoliators
Here are a few types of exfoliators and the best use for them:
Physical Exfoliators:
Physical exfoliators, like scrubs and facial brushes, use small granules to mechanically buff away dead skin from the surface of your face. This can be a great option for those with oily or tough skin, as it helps to remove excess oil and brighten rough areas.
Chemical Exfoliators:
Chemical exfoliators use ingredients such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells and reveal fresher, brighter skin beneath. This type of exfoliator is great for those with dry or sensitive skin, as it’s gentler than physical exfoliators.
Enzyme Exfoliators:
Enzyme exfoliators use natural ingredients like papaya, pumpkin, or pineapple enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells gently. They are great for those with sensitive skin, as they are free from harsh chemicals and don’t require scrubbing or brushing.
Microdermabrasion:
Microdermabrasion is a professional treatment that uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin. This is a great option for those with more severe sun damage, acne scarring, and other texture issues, as it can help to improve the tone and texture of your skin dramatically.
No matter which type of exfoliator you choose, it’s important to use caution and be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Exfoliating too often can cause redness, irritation, or even breakouts, so it’s important to find the right balance for your skin.
Remember, the key is to gently slough away dead skin cells without over-drying or damaging your skin. With regular exfoliation, you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best!
Frequently asked questions: Best exfoliator for black skin
Is exfoliating good for black skin?
Yes, exfoliating is beneficial for black skin. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, unblock clogged pores, and improve overall skin texture. When done correctly, it can help reduce acne, discoloration and other skin issues.
How often should black people exfoliate?
How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type, sensitivity, and even the type of skin scrub you’re using. However, it’s generally recommended to exfoliate 1-2 times per week.
While some more gentle exfoliators can be used more often, those with a grainier texture should only be used once or twice a week. It’s also important to take into account your skin type. If you have normal to oily skin, exfoliating every other day may be beneficial.
However, if your skin is naturally dry or sensitive, once a week is usually enough. Also, it’s important to make sure you don’t over-exfoliate your skin as this can lead to irritation and inflammation.
Conclusion
So this is the complete guide to exfoliating, including the best exfoliator for dark skin, the benefits of a skin scrub, and how to use an exfoliator.
I absolutely love exfoliating my skin, and I hope this article was helpful to you. Do you have a favorite exfoliator or scrub? Let me know down below in the comments!
