(BlackDoctor.org) — With their massive budgets and marketing campaigns, large companies can afford to hire black celebrities to help them peddle goods to blacks.
Some companies in the beauty and cosmetics trade put darker-hued faces on their products or use creative wording to suggest that there are black people behind the scenes – when this is not the case.
We commonly discuss the need for people of color to consider their unique attributes and needs when selecting cosmetics and skin care products, but we sometimes forget about the black-owned product companies that are not just targeting us, but are developing products designed with our best interests in mind.
In addition to such companies that you may be familiar with, such as Iman, Fashion Fair, and Black Opal, some of the ones you may not have heard (yet) include…
Ada Cosmetics
Pronounced ah-dah, the Nigerian word “ada” refers to firstborn females, a fitting name for a company that that claims to be the first to offer mineral makeup designed exclusively for women of color by women of color.
Noting that the skin is the body’s largest organ, the company says that skin absorbs some of everything that we put on it. Ada Cosmentics claims to use only the purest ingredients, which include mica, organic jojoba, and organic fair trade shea butter. Its full range of cosmetic products include cream concealers, foundation, shimmer shadows, and lip glazes. In addition to its aim to offer healthy products, Ada Cosmetics also claims to have a commitment to offering the hues that allow women of color to love their color.
Lamik
Lamik proudly touts itself as the first eco-chic cosmetic brand. After reportedly losing a friend to a lung deficiency caused by poly(iso)butene in lip gloss, Kim Roxie decided to develop healthy products that would take the risks out of looking good. The company operates under the philosophy, “beauty is revealed…not applied.”
To protect natural beauty, Lamik says no to fragrance, talc, parabens, and of course poly(iso)butene. But, it says most definitely to healthy ingredients such as green tea, Vitamin C, and avocado oil… oh and to recyclable containers too. A diverse black-owned brand, Lamik offers cosmetics, skincare, brushes, and even lashes.
dermHA
Mildred Bell is a licensed medical esthetician and a member of several skin care associations such as the Society of Dermatology Skincare Specialists. She has traveled throughout the US and Canada instructing physicians and skin care specialists, she has written in trade magazines, and she is also the founder of dermHA, which she runs with her two daughters.
dermHA’s products are free of fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dyes, propylene glycol and mineral oil– all ingredients that we are commonly warned to avoid. Furthermore, the company offers a wide range of products to address individuals’ varying needs. These include cleansers, hyaluronic moisturizers, and exfoliants. Bell who is an associate member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine even offers anti-aging and mature skin products.
Laila Ali Derm Essentials Skin Care
Speaking of celebrities and skin care, Laila Ali recently launched a self titled line of products. “When we are creating products we should be responsible, so I’ve done my best to create a line of non-toxic, sulfate-free items, that not only benefit the environment, but the consumer as well,” she wrote on her website.
The line, designed to be affordable and to serve the needs of active individuals, is specially formulated to provide moisturize and to repair the skin. Products that are currently available include exfoliating face wash, intensive eye cream, and hydrating body lotion.
Please keep in mind that this is in no way a comprehensive list of black-owned skin care and cosmetic companies. It is not even a list that attempts to rank the best in the beauty game. It is simply a short collection designed to help people of color realize that quality beauty options, specifically developed by them and for them, do actually exist.
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