The African Skincare industry has boomed in recent years. Skincare is an essential daily practice in the black community, and for most a ritual. Whether you spend 30 seconds to 15 minutes or more a day looking after your skin you’re part of a growing number of people who understand the importance of keeping your skin in tip top condition.
How much is the Skincare Industry Worth?
The skincare industry will be worth $179.51 Billion by 2027. Advanced technology, new innovations, rising consumer preference for “at-home services”, have all contributed to its continuous growth. Consumer behaviour has also changed – many people opt to buy skincare products online instead of going into a physical store because of better deals. There is a rise in demand for organic products and skincare entrepreneurs are catering to women of colour.
An industry which was once synonymous for being dominated by giants like Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal due to their longevity, brand equity, and abundant access to resources has now made way for micro, small and medium-sized brands taking advantage of their personal and cultural experiences to create products that cater to more niche needs with a contemporary twist.
This market trend has paved the way for African skincare brands listed below. Many of the founders of these brands took advantage of the organic/natural skincare tips they gained from growing up in an African home. Some of the formulas and recipes have been in the family for decades and are passed down from one generation to the next. They recognise that the skincare industry is not a one size fit all!
UK-Based Premium African Skincare Brands
In the below list are some of the premium African skincare brands in the UK:
Epara
The all-luxury and scientifically-proven skincare brand uses the highest quality African botanicals to cater to the unique issues i.e. dryness and discolouration, affecting underserved women of colour. Epara means “to cocoon oneself” in the Nigerian dialect of Ebira. The handcrafted skincare products created by its founder, Ozohu Adoh, are tailored to repair, nourish, pamper and protect the skin while leaving it moisturized and hydrated.
Malee
The natural skincare brand was founded in 2009 by Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao. Malee’s luxurious fragrance and scientifically-proven formulas are designed to heal, protect and pamper your skin. The African brand is widely known for its sweet-smelling scents as well as premium packaging.
R&R Luxury
The award-winning natural luxury brand was founded on the philosophy of using 100% natural products where possible, ethical sourcing and nature preservation. R&R was founded by Valerie Obaze in 2010. To date, the African skincare and beauty brand is still committed to quality with its core ingredient being Shea butter, sourced from Shea Countryside in Ghana.
The Afro Hair & Co.
The award-winning Made-in-Britain afro hair & skincare brand is dedicated to creating truly organic, natural products made from locally sourced ingredients. The Afro Hair & Co.‘s handcrafted products are targeted at black women. They believe that “Real beauty is an energy that you put out into the world, the way that you treat yourself can have a direct positive or negative impact on how you view and interact with the world. This is why it’s important to treat yourself with kindness and repeat and affirm messages of love to yourself. When we take time for ourselves, we are feeding positivity into our consciousness that tells us we are worth effort, energy, and love.” We couldn’t agree more. The brand has featured in Vogue, Stylist, Glamour, Essence, BBC etc.
Africology
The award-winning natural, non-toxic skincare and leading lifestyle brand restores and repairs the skin. Africology’s founder is Renchia Drogains. From her humble beginnings, mixing her blends in her kitchen, the African skincare brand has over 350 5* spas as distributors. 
Molewa Skincare
The natural skincare brand was founded by researcher and skincare formulator Sola Sangowawa-Boua. Her mission for Molewa Skincare is to “create high performing natural skin and body care products that can answer her customers’ most important skin and body care needs, without compromising on finesse, decadence, and a natural approach.”
Luxemore London
The luxury skin and hair care brand’s passion in relation to natural ingredients is something every brand should aspire to. Luxemore London is an eco-friendly company that utilises various fairtrade ingredients. It vows never to use chemicals and ensures it only uses the purest ingredients sourced from Ghana in all its products.
Dr. Yinka Skin
The skincare brand was formulated by an anti-ageing and aesthetic UK-based doctor Dr. Yinka, for people of colour. Dr. Yinka Skin’s products help solve a unique set of skin concerns people of African descent might have such as acne, fine lines/wrinkles, uneven skin tone (discolouration, and hyper-pigmentation) often brought on by genetic and cultural practices. “My passion to empower women to feel confident in their own skin prompted my inner calling to study the science of dark skin,” says Dr. Yinka.
Wildseed Botanicals
The premium skincare brand is founded on the philosophy that nature has the power to heal, nourish and restore. Wildseed aims to introduce a new way of thinking, connecting and discovering to people. “Our beauty rituals are created with self-care at its core, an escape from the stresses of the world and a moment to be kind to yourself and intentional,” says Laila, its founder of Ghanian origin.
The featured African skincare, beauty, and lifestyle brands are clearly professionals in their own right who have done their due diligence on the peculiarities of the skin of people of colour.
When next you struggling to find a skincare brand that caters to the skin of people of African descent, the above premium brands are a good starting point.
If you know other relevant skincare brands, please feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to share with friends, families, and foes.
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