Guides

What routine for my dark skin?

Do you need a specific routine for dark, black, olive, and mixed-race skin? The answer is often yes, because these skin types have real physiological particularities – particularly in terms of pigmentation, sebum production, and hydration. If your current routine seems ineffective or disappointing, it may be because you're not taking them into account. 😊

Compared to lighter skin, black skin is not susceptible to redness, but is significantly more prone to hyperpigmentation. It is also better protected against photoaging, but more vulnerable to dehydration due to a thinner stratum corneum and a more permeable epidermal barrier. This is a characteristic that may come as a surprise considering that dark skin generally has a shinier appearance. Finally, it tends to flake more regularly, which tends to gray or ashen its natural radiance.

Finding the right balance can be tricky: it's about preserving their barrier function to limit dehydration (so common when the atmosphere dries out!), while avoiding products that are too heavy and stifling, which can increase shine and imperfections. In the case of established hyperpigmentation (brown or dark marks, keloid scars, etc.), you can enhance your routine with active ingredients and anti-blemish treatments. They will help you gradually achieve a more even complexion.

My selection of products for my dark skin

My makeup remover

When? Every night, whether you're wearing makeup or not. This step prepares the skin for subsequent skincare while helping to remove dead skin cells. Don't hesitate to take the time to thoroughly massage your makeup remover to oxygenate your cells and boost their metabolism.

Liquid Silk – Djusie

For those who prefer oils, this invigorating formula rebalances skin surface lipids for maximum comfort.

The +: its aromatherapeutic synergy of lime, jasmine, grapefruit and geranium which makes you smile!

💡Vegan, certified organic, no added fragrance.

Protect+ cleansing milk – Nuori

For those who prefer cleansing milks, this one provides a silky feel and a fresh glow to combination, normal and dry skin.

The +: its formula with bioactivated lipids is perfectly suited to the most sensitive skin.

💡Vegan, fragrance-free.

My cleanser

When? Every morning—as the first step in your dark skin routine—and every evening, right after rinsing off your makeup remover. Avoid brushes (manual or electric) at this stage: nothing beats the softness of your fingers for truly gentle cleansing.

Edelweiss Extrême® Cream Cleanser – Odacité

Ideal for dry skin, it strengthens the skin barrier and stimulates cell renewal from the cleansing phase.

The +: its composition enriched with prebiotics and edelweiss extract optimized by AI for a higher concentration of active ingredients.

💡Vegan.

Purifying Cleansing Gel – Susanne Kaufmann

Ideal for shiny skin, this treatment with active ingredients from the Alps revitalizes and purifies the appearance of the skin with a sensual texture.

The +: its pH adapted to the acid mantle of the skin's surface, the perfect way to avoid the rebound effect and excess sebum after cleansing.

💡 Vegan.

My serum

When? Every morning and possibly in the evening if you feel your skin needs an extra boost at the end of the day! Choose hydrating serums to limit the risk of dehydration, which is much more prevalent in black skin than in white skin.

Hyaluronic 200 Serum – Evolve

Spotlight on hydration! Formulated with 200 mg of hyaluronic acid, it infuses skin with tone without feeling overly heavy.

The +: it is enhanced with organic rose water for an even more sensory experience with additional anti-aging benefits.

💡 99.3% natural origin, vegan, certified organic.

Credo Serum – Antipodes

The one that targets both dehydration and imperfections thanks to “good bacteria”: Kalibiome probiotics.

The +: its subtly iridescent texture brings instant radiance to all skin tones with a delicious apple scent.

💡Vegan.

My moisturizer

When? Every morning, over your serum, but also at night (most moisturizer formulas can be used as a day cream AND a night cream). Don't skip this step to achieve luminous, clear, and balanced skin, even if you shine.

Day Fluid – On The Wild Side

A surprisingly lightweight formula, neither too rich nor mattifying, that smooths, protects and plumps without saturating sebaceous pores.

The + : its effectiveness is clinically proven: skin hydration reaches +49% 4 hours after application.

💡100% natural origin, certified organic, vegan.

Zinc PCA Face Cream – Q+A

If your shine and imperfections bother you, choose this all-in-one cream: moisturizing, anti-aging, purifying and soothing!

The +: its formula is active against excess sebum, dilated pores, blackheads and redness.

💡97.5% natural origin, vegan.

My oil

When? When you feel the humidity is dropping, for example in winter (high indoor heating) or in arid regions. Layering a thin layer of oil over your day cream will help you maintain comfort and a satisfactory hydration level for longer.

Ultra-nourishing oil serum – La Canopée

The SOS oil to whip out if your skin is prone to xerosis! A few drops are enough to restore comfort and elasticity in case of tightness.

The +: its quartet of highly lipid-replenishing vegetable oils, naturally rich in vitamin A and vitamin E.

💡100% natural origin, vegan.

My eye contour

When? Morning and evening, over your day cream or night cream. Dark skin most often suffers from dark circles: this is a localized accumulation of melanin, generally hereditary. There are active ingredients to help you lighten the area under your eyes.

Bright Start Activated Eye Cream – Ilia

Formulated with a plant-based alternative to retinol and imperceptible pearls for an instant and gradual illuminating effect.

The +: its ceramic tip offers a refreshing effect which helps to decongest the volume of bags during the massage.

💡Vegan, fragrance-free.

Holi(Glow) Eye and Lip Contour Serum – Agent Nateur

It contains plant extracts of daisy and hawkweed, known for their lightening benefits on brown and pigmented dark circles.

The +: you will love its gel-in-oil texture which leaves a feeling of divine hydration on this very delicate area.

💡Vegan, fragrance-free.

My scrub

When? Once a week on average, focusing on gentleness. Generally, dark skin doesn't like peels or harsh exfoliating agents. It's best to be gentle to refresh its radiance while limiting the risk of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Jojoba Pearls Exfoliating Cream – Odacité

30 seconds flat to smooth the skin texture like cashmere and infuse the epidermis with good nutrients, like a moisturizer!

The +: multi-use, this soft scrub can be used on the face, lips, neck, décolleté and even hands.

💡Vegan.

Gentle glow tonic – Nuori

An exfoliating lotion of rare softness, which optimizes skin tolerance thanks to an intelligent combination based on PHA.

The +: alcohol-free, fragrance-free, lactic acid-free and glycolic acid-free to minimize the risk of irritation.

💡Vegan.

My sun protection

When? Every morning, as the last step in your skincare routine. Although the effects of photoaging appear much later than in fair skin (up to 20 years of additional respite!), dark skin remains vulnerable to ultraviolet rays.

Daily sun care SPF50 – Aime

Designed with next-generation filters to prevent white casts, often more visible on black and dark skin.

The +: its cutting-edge formula derived from South Korean expertise, which combines lightness and sensoriality without a single false note.

💡Vegan.

Holi(Sun) tinted serum SPF50 – Agent Nateur

A tinted sunscreen, available in “honey” or “espresso” shades, to protect and even out your complexion in a single step.

The +: its combination of anti-blemish, anti-wrinkle and anti-redness active ingredients to prevent skin damage associated with UV rays.

💡No added fragrance.

My selection of active ingredients for my dark skin

Shea butter

Nicknamed "white gold" in Africa, this plant-based butter is one of the most interesting there is! Rich in essential fatty acids, phytosterols, and vitamins, it combines softening, restorative, protective, and regenerative properties.

This makes it a safe bet for dry to very dry skin, which often includes black skin – especially in arid regions or during seasons with low humidity. Its cinnamic esters also have (very) slight anti-UV effects.

The Comforting Rich Mask – Absolution

Generously dosed with shea butter, but also cocoa and mango butters, it acts as a “comfort food” treatment for the skin.

The +: its protective and restorative formula with 10 active ingredients, designed to satisfy the appetite of the driest skin.

💡99% ingredients of natural origin, certified organic, vegan.

Bless Beauty Balm – Leahlani

A divine Hawaiian concentrate of nourishing active ingredients (with shea butter in 1st place), like an anti-roughness bandage.

The +: a sensory experience in its own right, bathed in the scent of orange blossom and exotic petals (no added fragrance).

💡Vegan.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a great choice in the dermo-cosmetics aisle! It's a vitamin B3 derivative that has the advantage of being very versatile. It helps fight dark spots, reduce shine, prevent blemishes, and strengthen the skin barrier.

So many properties that tick all the boxes for the care of dark skin, often prone to hyperpigmentation, excess sebum or, conversely, very marked skin dryness.

Niacinamide Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser – Q+A

A cleansing formula boosted with niacinamide, ideal for maintaining a clear complexion in case of imperfections or shine.

The +: its gel texture equipped with very fine grains which smooth the skin texture every day, with complete comfort.

💡Vegan.

SKIN REVIVE Serum – Mimetic

30% active ingredients (including the famous niacinamide!), precisely blended to lift, smooth and brighten the complexion day and night.

The +: its SMR-C5 complex, exclusive to the brand, naturally recognized and assimilated by the upper layers of the epidermis.

💡Vegan, fragrance-free.

Vitamin C

This active ingredient focuses primarily on preventing hyperpigmented spots and oxidative stress, which are known to cause early signs of aging. Although dark skin is more resilient than light skin, it is also subject to the ravages of time.

Vitamin C comes in several forms, with derivatives being the most widely used today, as they are more easily tolerated by sensitive skin. These are therefore easy to use, without constraints.