Caring for melanin-rich skin 101

Why have we created this collection? 
As the #1 dermatologist recommended brand, making you and your skin feel amazing has always been top of our list. Our Beauty Bar and its signature ¼ moisturizing cream has been keeping skin clean and soft for over 65 years, but now we’re going further to address your specific skin needs (and make you feel even more amazing).

We’ve been speaking to women with melanin-rich skin, and you told us that many mass skin care brands leave you feeling misunderstood, underserved and underrepresented. As a brand for everyone, it's on us to make sure you feel seen and heard.

So, we’ve partnered with board-certified dermatologists of color to bring our combined skin care expertise to your shower, with two body washes tailored to the unique needs of melanin-rich skin. Throughout the process, they’ve served as consultants on our formula mix, the science of melanin-rich skin care and the importance of a unique skin care regimen.

What is melanin?
Melanin is a substance naturally produced by our bodies, responsible for our beautiful variety of skin tones, eye colors, and hair colors. The amount of melanin in skin depends on many factors such as genetics and sun exposure.

What does it mean to have melanin-rich skin?
So, what is melanated skin? All skin contains melanin, but people with more melanin usually have darker eyes, hair and skin than those with less melanin.

While melanin-rich skin provides some natural UV protection, it produces 40% less lipids and ceramides than less melanated skin, making it more prone to moisture loss. Melanin-rich skin has more cell layers, and the way they work together can often impact your skin's natural ability to exfoliate. It’s also more susceptible to certain external aggressors (looking at you, pollution). 

What’s the best way to care for melanated skin?
Melanin-rich skin needs specialized TLC to help you look and feel your best . Some of the most common melanin-rich skin concerns are dryness, dull skin and uneven skin tone. That’s why we created our body washes for melanin-rich skin in partnership with dermatologists of color, to make sure it serves these unique needs. Our Melanin Even Tone Body Wash gently exfoliates to help even skin tone, while our Melanin Radiance Body Wash deeply nourishes to boost your natural radiance. Both deliver a big dose of long-lasting hydration.

What melanin-loving ingredients should you include in your shower routine
Your daily shower is the perfect time to treat your skin to the expert care it needs. Our body washes for melanin-rich skin contain pro-ceramides to help strengthen your skin barrier and enhance skin functionality. Pro-ceramides also promote natural ceramide production to retain your natural moisture. The result? Stronger-feeling and more healthy-looking skin.

If you’re wondering how to even skin tone, our Melanin Even Tone Body Wash with BHA is a great place to start. It’s a gentle exfoliator which encourages skin renewal to leave you with more even-looking skin. It also buffs away dead skin cells and rough patches to reveal softer, smoother skin.

Ready for radiance? Then reach for our Melanin Radiance Body Wash. It’s infused with a nourishing oil blend, to restore your natural glow and visibly improve dryness.