SIX SERUMS MADE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR
May 6, 2023
Six Serums Made for Women of Color to Add to Your Cabinet ASAP
Luxury formulas made by and for women of color that actually work.
(Originally published on Beautyocracy.com, June 2022)
For the longest time, finding the right serum was a guessing game based on reviews and choosing the prettiest packaging. Vague claims on the box were as good as it got when it came to details about what the product offered and, even then, there was rarely an acknowledgment of how it could benefit melanated skin. Fortunately, a recent shift in awareness is resulting in a rush of new options for Black and brown complexions, making alienation in retail and virtual spaces less common. Brands are doing the work and investing in our needs – because the beauty environment has changed and we can no longer be erased – and founders of color are making the products they always wished existed. Beauty shelves are transforming in ways never seen before and for the better.
Among the current array of skincare products designed for people of color are serums that are in the limelight – with innovative and enticing formulations arriving each day. Here are some of the top ones that have been grabbing attention due to their focus on melanin-specific needs, groundbreaking formulations, and desirable consistencies.
EADEM
Eadem’s Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum has been earning the praise of beauty editors, not only for its effectiveness, but its unique consistency and forthright message. There’s nothing demure or silent about Eadem’s approach. The brand is determined to shift the beauty space with clear statements of what the industry is missing and how BIPOC are being excluded. With that message, they decided to create a serum that addresses one of the top concerns of women of color – hyperpigmentation. Their fragrance-free formulation gently diminishes discoloration and dark spots using niacinamide, amber algae, and encapsulated vitamin C and adds a brightened glow on the surface.
BUTTAH SKIN
Overflowing with antioxidants and botanical extracts, Buttah Skin’s Vitamin C Serum acts as a multifunctional defense against environmental stressors and damage. The star ingredient, Vitamin C, replenishes and works to both prevent and repair assaults due to factors such as sun damage and air pollution, while chamomile flower and fireweed extract calm and soothe. Buttah Skin’s products have been tested in clinical trials: over 90% of participants reported an increase in glow, brightness, and an improvement in the appearance of dark spots – making this serum a must-have staple paired with sun protection.
RANAVAT
Not only is Ranavat’s Brightening Saffron Serum visually stunning, it’s also packed with ingredients that are equally as breathtaking. Formulated with an abundance of Ayurvedic herbs such as manjishta, priyangu, and cobra saffron, it brings traditional Indian beauty rituals to the mainstream with a luxury focus. The supercharged effect of the ingredients approaches inflammation, circulation, and dark spots through multiple pathways and can be further enhanced using Ranavat’s Kansa Wand — a traditional facial massage tool that is said to plump, depuff, and firm. Adding Ranavat to your vanity is sure to act as a reminder to prioritize self-care and also bring some beauty to your surroundings.
HYPER SKIN
EVEN BRIGHTENING DARK SPOT VITAMIN C SERUM
hyper! has been consistently popping up on ‘best-of’ lists for a while now and is staying put as a fan favorite. Their celebration of texture in the form of unedited images and speaking to the skincare concerns of people of color is a much-needed breath of fresh air. The Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum recognizes these melanin-specific needs and uses the power of exfoliation to gently resurface skin while using natural ingredients like apple enzymes, kojic acid, and bearberry to brighten. Combined with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and antioxidants to prevent further damage, it’s a powerhouse for keeping skin bouncy and fresh.
KLUR
BRILLIANT LIGHT MULTI-CORRECTIONAL REPAIR SERUM
Klur’s lightweight, aloe-based formula easily absorbs and contains a unique combination of botanical extracts. Dandelion, elderflower, gotu kola, and licorice are just some of the active herbal components blended with vitamin C to create an astounding, multifaceted serum that approaches cellular damage from a variety of angles. Klur’s minimal aesthetic pairs perfectly with the no-fuss consistency of the Brilliant Light Multi-Correctional Repair Serum. It instantly absorbs and is recommended to be applied every second morning or evening to garner ideal protection and effects, making the pressure of sticking to strict morning and evening skincare routines a thing of the past.
AAVRANI
Aavrani’s Balance Restoring Serum is a refreshing topical treatment that encourages a calming and clarifying effect, without the weight of an oily base, and opts for a weightless, liquid consistency instead. Balancing and soothing ingredients like cucumber extract, chamomile flowers, and calendula combat irritation alongside witch hazel and tea tree oil, which tone and detoxify. This unique combination of actions works to minimize the appearance of dark spots and pores while protecting and enforcing the skin’s moisture barrier – but without any type of heavy or greasy feeling. Aavrani’s founder, Rooshy, used the inspiration of traditional skin-healing baths in India to create the serum, with a focus on the magic of tea tree leaves and restorative rituals.
There’s no doubt about it — the serum game for melanated skin has been upped by leaps and bounds in recent years, and it’s only going to get better. These are just some of the top performers from independent, BIPOC-owned brands that have been receiving glowing reviews from women of color, but there are many more to be explored. Skincare innovation is heading in the right direction, and beauty spaces are placing the needs of Black and brown skin at the forefront for the very first time. The changing landscape is long overdue, but it’s still a cause for celebration, and the promise of a revolutionized beauty industry is something to look forward to.