Buttah in the Press

2023

In honor of International Self-Care Day (July 24) and National Black Business Month in August, the self-proclaimed candy enthusiast teamed up with Now and Later Candy to launch the 'Pause Now, Hustle Later' campaign, which aims to spotlight emerging Black businesses that are re-defining the self-care landscape. Adding her sweet touch to this initiative, Anthony hand-picked a variety of her favorite
Black-owned brands to participate in, including Buttah Skincare.

Black-owned beauty brand Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud is quickly becoming the beauty brand to watch. Reality TV star-turned-beautypreneur Dorion Renaud has turned his passion to destigmatize skincare for Black men into a multimillion-dollar empire. The former celeb facialist also boasts a who’s who list of brand friends and cosigns, including Beyoncé, Cassie, Vanessa Simmons, Keri Hilson, Khloe Kardashian, and more.

The myth that African-American skin doesn’t crack is pervasive in society, but is it actually true? The answer is no. Whether it’s from aging, sun exposure, smoking or repetitive facial expressions, nobody is immune to the skin creases and fine lines that come with age. And the area around the eyes is particularly susceptible to such changes.

Beloved for its blend of antioxidants—think vitamin C, ferulic acid, grapeseed extract and green tea—this made-for-everyone serum is seriously trending right now and for a good reason. One user even noted, “As a woman in her 50’s I have found nothing better for my skin.”

Well, I've been friends with Dorion [Renaud] for a very long time, but what resonated most with me about being a part of this campaign is the mission that Buttah Skincare has and how it's really effective. I'm in love with the products. It's not just because Dorion is my friend, but his products work. They've been tried and tested by me, and the glow is definitely real.

Vanessa Simmons is a woman who shows us that we can have it all as long as we keep things in balance, stay focused, and know that life is all about setting priorities. As a mother, business owner, model, and actor, she has a lot of responsibilities every day that have to do with taking care of other people.

In 2018, model, actor, recording artist and now brand founder Dorion Renaud created Buttah Skin with the aim of bringing high-tech formulas and naturally derived ingredients together to create effective skin and body care tailored to nourish deeper skin tones. The vitamin-rich products combat dryness, discolouration, oiliness and blemishes for an all-round skin boost for every skin type.

The Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Buttah Vibe Brush delivers 10,000 sonic pulsations per minute to gently exfoliate and remove dullness, dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. The cleansing brush is made of medical-grade, anti-microbial silicon, has two-speed modes, and is designed for melanin-rich skin tones.

Buttah is one of the few brands that can convert first-time users to lifetime loyalists just like that. Seriously, one application of their glorious whip-like body butter is enough to question every lotion and cream purchase you’ve ever made (we dare you to try their beloved facial butter, for that same reason).

2022

Buttah Skin’s Web Series Beyond The Surface Is Back With New Episodes Tackling Necessary Conversations—Just In Time For Mother’s Day

From Sunday II Sunday to Beautystat, eight entrepreneurs share their business success stories and plans for the future.

I only recently fell in love with Buttah Skin by Dorión Renaud. Each product targets the main issues faced by POC—discoloration, dryness, oiliness, and blemishes. I've been loving the Charcoal Detox Mask for weeks my skin feels extra congested.

Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Dorion Renaud and Natalie Manuel Lee as they go Beyond the Surface and share stories about inner beauty, life’s transitions, what it means to embrace change and release things that no longer serve our interests!

Actor and Buttah Skin founder Dorion Renaud is teaming with Natalie Manuel Lee for the new digital series, Beyond the Surface. It will "highlight Black creatives and changemakers and examine the stories that have shaped their lives and careers."

We buy Black 24/7, but we show out during Black History Month. Check out some Black owned brands that we love.⁠

The content creator partners with Buttah Skin to speak with ‘New Girl’ star Lamorne Morris and others on Black culture.

Buttah Skin, the organic and cruelty-free skincare brand founded by Dorion Renaud has collaborated with “Now With Natalie’s” creator and host, Natalie Manuel Lee, on a special digital series called “Beyond the Surface.”

The life of an actor and entrepreneur leads to busy days, and #DoriónRenaud is giving #ELLE a glimpse into the morning before a long day of press.

Founder of Buttah Skin Dorion Renaud has tapped Now with Natalie creator Natalie Manuel Lee to lead conversations for the series as it explores and affirms the tenacious, innovative mentality of Black creatives.

Dorion Renaud is an actor, recording artist, and entrepreneur who, in 2018, revolutionized skincare with the launch of his organic and cruelty-free brand, Buttah Skin.

Natalie’s love of fashion combined with a passion for discovering and unearthing the defining stories that have shaped people’s lives makes her a unique personality with a driving sense of purpose on the L.A. scene.

Remember the old Saturday Night Live skit featuring Mike Myers as a Streisand-loving mom? “It’s like buttah,” the character would say when comparing Barbra’s smooth voice to the silkiness of butter. Beaumont native and entrepreneur Dorion Renaud wants to make his clients feel the same way about their skin – that it’s as smooth as Buttah.

As a part of my series about leaders helping to make the entertainment industry more diverse and representative, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dorion Renaud.

2021

On the seventh day of Christmas, my baby gave to me: a nice back rub and then a foot massage using Buttah Skin Whipped Body Butter.

Formulated to reveal radiant results for those with melanin-rich skin, this gel cleanser looks to gently lift away dirt, oil, and debris, and slough off dead surface cells without stripping the skin. This non-comedogenic cleanser features coconut and palm oils and is designed to condition and calm complexions.

This body butter only contains one ingredient: virgin African shea butter, which is naturally rich in vitamins A, B, and E.

This Vitamin C formula is filled with antioxidants to brighten and revitalize skin. Skincare gurus can easily incorporate this into their regular routine by applying a few drops to their face and neck.

Made for and by melanin-rich skin, this formula is packed with whipped virgin raw African shea butter and vitamins A, B, and E. Needless to say, your skin will be very happy.

The 39 names sold by Thirteen Lune include Buttah Skin, Bossy Cosmetics, Mischo Beauty, Sara Happ, Spraise and Vernon François.

Designed for melanin skin, this is a physical exfoliant that is made with tea tree oil, aloe vera, and natural eco-beads—don’t worry it won’t tear your pores. The magic of this exfoliant is the oil-absorbing and skin polishing three-part system; it starts as a clay treatment mask that transforms into a foam cleanser and finishes as a scrub.

This is a vitamin C serum made to have retexturizing effects, helping to smooth out your skin all the while brightening your complexion and improving the appearance of dark spots. Some may say it’s a multitasking miracle, so being able to grab it on sale at Nordstrom is such a lucky win!

If you know your aunt loves natural, organic skincare, you already know they'll love this set that contains a vitamin C serum, cleanser, and your choice between a facial shea butter or a cocoshea cream.

Buttah Skin’s Vitamin C Serum! I use it every night before bed and I love that it keeps my skin looking refreshed and awake.

This skincare set from Buttah has all the skin saviors you need to brighten, nourish, and refresh dull, dehydrated skin.

The best antioxidant-rich vitamin C serums don't have to have crazy-high pricetags to do wonders for your skin. This concoction from Buttah is proof.

Buttah Skin’s Vitamin C Serum! I use it every night before bed and I love that it keeps my skin looking refreshed and awake.

Enriching skincare for normal-to-combination melanin-rich skin types! Easy as 1, 2, 3 to get glowing skin as smooth as butter with our customizable skincare kit. Use the trio of products designed to gently cleanse, exfoliate, protect, and moisturize daily to uncover your best skin. Formulated especially for melanin-rich complexions and all skin types.

Buttah Skin’s Facial Shea Butter (Dhs81, Cult Beauty) is exactly what it sounds like. Nourishing shea butter that provides a protective barrier on your complexion to keep your skin hydrated. It also protects your skin from environmental assault and stressors. The result? Your selfies are looking so good, that sis, you gotta post ‘em all.


Another must-have for dry skin szn is a luxe hydrating body wash. This Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash from Buttah Skin is made with naturally healing ingredients to help add extra moisture and hydration, especially for melanin-rich skin.

Teach your teen how to show their skin some much needed TLC with this complete skin kit specially crafted for melanin-rich complexions and all skin types. Packed with a cleanser, vitamin C serum, and your choice of moisturizer, this personalized present will become an everyday essential that your teen will thank you for for years to come.

When used together, this trio promises to make her skin feel as smooth as butter — er, buttah. All three products are made for every skin type, but the vitamin C serum is especially helpful for anyone who deals with hyperpigmentation, dark spots and dryness.


Dry skin is no match for the cocoa- and shea butter base in Buttah Skin’s outstanding moisturizer. It combines the two nourishing butters with moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid and nourishing sunflower seed oil.

Skin-care brand Buttah. may only be three years old, but it's already leaving quite a mark on the beauty industry. Founded by model and actor Dorion Renaud in 2018, the brand develops products with a mission to help alleviate dryness, oiliness, and hyperpigmentation specifically on brown skin.


This antimicrobial silicone cleansing brush pulsates to delicately massage the skin and gently exfoliate. Use it as you cleanse to eliminate dullness and dead skin cells, and just for an overall relaxing self-care moment.

"This Black-owned skincare brand is one of my favorites. This cleanser leaves my skin smooth and hydrated."

Skin can never be too hydrated — we're on an endless quest to quench, saturate, slather, and moisturize ourselves into oblivion. Mercifully, the Buttah Skin CocoShea Creme ($19) from Dorian Renaud's line of products leaves us feeling like a baby seal that has just emerged, glistening, from the ocean.

Buttah Skin focuses on good-for-you ingredients that leave skin glowing and healthy.

Cleanse your body from neck to toe with the Buttah Egyptian Coco Shea Body Wash ($27.99, Buttahskin.com). This essential is chock full of African cocoa butter, shea butter, marshmallow root extract and multi-vitamin extracts that cleanses, soothes, brightens and locks in moisture. It’s everything you need for your shower routine.


Think of this Buttah by Dorion Renaud set as a self-care essential. The trio features a hydrating whipped body butter, skin polishing body bar made with shea butter and activated charcoal and a softening, nourishing body wash.

This is my favorite Buttah product. I was using another Kiehl’s scrub and would not give it up until I knew we had one that was comparable. I know some people don’t like to exfoliate, but as a man, I sweat, and I like to get the dirt off. This also doubles as a mask. It’s so invigorating. It has tea tree, which I love. I’m one of those people that uses tea tree on everything — I’ll put it on a pimple and it makes it go down. We also put aloe in the scrub to make it refreshing.


This chunk of onyx soap is arguably the most sophisticated-looking bar soap on the market. It’s also your ticket to clearer, softer skin, thanks to activated charcoal, shea butter, marshmallow root, and niacinamide — a dreamy combination for unclogging pores and balancing excess oil production. Use this smooth soap all over your body, as well as your face — it’s non-drying, unlike many other bar soaps.


Buttah Skin – a brand founded in 2018 by Dorion Renaud – has just arrived on Cult beauty. The brand’s main aim is to “the beautysphere in an inclusive direction – making luscious skin care formulas with the melanin-rich in mind.” One of the products that the brand offers is this rich body cream, which has shea butter and is packed full of vitamins A, B, and E.


We rounded up the best skin-care discounts the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has to offer, so keep reading to shop our top picks! Hurry; these deals last for a limited time.

With only virgin organic unrefined African shea butter in the formula (one of the best ingredients ever in my humble opinion), Buttah's Whipped Body Butter packs a serious punch. Plus, shea is naturally rich in vitamins A, B, and E, which not only nourish my skin, but together, this team helps balance out uneven skin tone over time.



If your skin needs a detox, try this clarifying mask made with charcoal, argan oil, and shea better.



I knew that I was ready when I heard there was a male dominating the beauty and music industry. Dorion Renaud, actor, musician, and beauty founder sat down with Sheen Magazine to catch up on his recent endeavors.

It is no longer an industry secret that Black skin has been marginalized. And while action has been taken for greater representation in the mainstream beauty industry, there is still an overwhelming disconnect we are left to face; namely, how Black men's skin is being seen and treated.

The truth is, a nourishing hand or body product is equally effective on the cuticles, so long as that product contains the right ingredients. And Buttah’s whipped shea body butter is hands down the most softening, soothing body remedy — so by default, it takes the crown when it comes to hand and cuticle care, too.

Sometimes all we need is a reliable serum, sans any fuss or frills. Buttah Skin's Vitamin C serum delivers on its claims to brighten and improve your skin's appearance.

And, BTW, having oily skin isn’t the same as having hydrated skin, so this step is important. “You still need to gently hydrate and nourish the skin with antioxidants and peptides, even if it’s oily,” says Marmur.

Combining naturally-derived ingredients with science, Buttah Skin has since grown into a robust line of facial and body cleansers, masks, serums, and even customizable skincare kits to help those with high amounts of melanin find their blend best suited for their skin’s concerns.


For dark spots and pesky hyperpigmentation, this serum uses Vitamin C, collagen, and antioxidant heavy natural extracts to even tone for the best skin of your life.

Back in the day, vitamin C was usually associated with foods and drinks that contain it, like Tang (#TBT), oranges, and Sunny D. Lately, however, the antioxidant powerhouse has become a mainstay of beauty aisles and the star ingredient within all sorts of serums and creams.

Combining naturally-derived ingredients with science, Buttah Skin has since grown into a robust line of facial and body cleansers, masks, serums, and even customizable skincare kits to help those with high amounts of melanin find their blend best suited for their skin’s concerns.

Or a clarifying face wash if you want a pH-balancing cleanser that's made with your melanin-rich skin in mind. It'll wash away dead skin and anything else that's dulling your shine, while soothing your complexion with ingredients like lavender flower extract.


There are certain ingredients that experts believe should be avoided due to countless studies suggesting they could cause substantial harm from irritation to endocrine disruption. Ahead, see the top 10 ingredients Robinson and Walch think you should avoid as well as some safer options to replace them with.

Trust: This combination of activated charcoal powder and bentonite and kaolin clays isn't messing around. And even though it basically acts like a magnet for oil and grime, it never leaves your face tight or dry, thanks to hydrating add-ons like argan oil and shea butter.

Kuo also likes butters as a thicker alternative to lotion (after the 5 days of healing ointment). But, “If you go with butter, it’s critical that you apply only a thin coat,” he says. “This will allow the skin to get oxygen and help prevent infections."


For the mom who's always got serums and lotions handy, a fancy skincare kit will send her into full self-pampering mode.

Let mom indulge in some self-care with this face cleanser made with coconut and palm oils and lavender extract applied with a high-tech vibe brush. It’s sure to whisk her away to a happy place.

“I also have this Buttah Skin Massaging [gadget]. You put the cleanser on here, it vibrates and it honestly takes all the makeup off of your face really helps to get the makeup out of your pores,” she showed us, while demoing the device. “It has a very aggressive vibration to it.”

Riley was sure to kick her routine off by washing the day away with Black-owned beauty brand Buttah Skin.

Buttah Skin featured on All Access as a Must Have Black Owned Beauty Product.

Founded by Texas-born model and actor Dorion Renaud in 2018, Buttah Skin is dedicated to tackling issues that range from dryness to discoloration and blemishes. The Black Gold Polishing Bar is no exception from this mission, thanks to a mélange of ingredients like African cocoa butter, shea butter, and activated charcoal for even-toned skin.


Every mom (every person, for that matter) could use a jar of 100 percent shea butter to keep nearby for whenever her skin needs a boost of moisture.

"As an African American dealing with eczema,
I have difficulty finding products that work for me. I came across Buttah Skin, an inclusive skincare brand that creates skin products for darker complexions. After eczema flare-ups, my skin tends to become extremely due to harsh topical creams. After trying Buttah Skin's Whipped Body Butter, my skin has never felt better. The whipped butter penetrates and deeply moisturizes my skin for all-day comfort and hydration." — Starr Savoy, ELLE Editorial Fellow

Okay, I'm very well aware that there are cheaper brushes on this list, but I truly believe this one is the best bang for your buck. First off, it's the only sonic-powered silicone brush on this list that's less than $50, yet it blows nearly all of them out of the water.

A vitamin C serum packed with antioxidants for giving your skin its daily dose of dewy, radiant hydration. Side effects may include, improved appearance of dark spots and that elusive *glow*.

This vitamin C serum from one of our favorite Black-owned beauty brands was formulated specifically for those with darker skin tones (who also tend to be more prone to hyperpigmentation).

Founded in 2018 by actor, model, and recording artist Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin uses the power of raw and organic shea butter to help target common issues (think hyperpigmentation and dryness), but specifically for melanin-rich skin.

Founded by model, actor, and recording artist Dorion Renaud in 2018, buttah has a focus on the body and skin in creating products that cleanse and smooth while locking in moisture needed until the next wash.

Join our co-founder @nyakio as she chats with @buttahskin founder @dorionrenaud about all things beauty, Buttah, and how Dorion gets his glow ✨ #thirteenlune #beyondskin

Ever wonder what @buttahskin CEO and founder @dorionrenaud does to start his day off right? Watch as he answers our thirteen questions and gives us a look at what keeps him glowing. #thirteenlune #beyondskin

Kendra talks with Dorion Renaud about transitioning from an actor to a founder. His journey to start Buttah Skin and the importance of having the right network around you to ultimately build a brand bigger than yourself.

Dorion Renaud named his skin care brand "Buttah" as an ode to his southern roots. He grew up in the small town of Beaumont, Texas, where access to luxury beauty was rare. Consequently, most of his early perceptions of beauty were informed by home remedies like using Vaseline for dry skin.

Based on how quickly they're being snatched up, Buttah's Whipped Body Butter and Vibe & Cleanse Kit are the products to have. The former is made with 100 percent organic virgin shea butter imported from Africa, which is rich in essential fatty acids to make your skin glow à la Beyonce. Her endorsement wouldn't lie; shoppers write that it leaves their skin feeling velvety.

Buttah is a skin care line created in 2018 by Dorian Renaud, a model, actor, and host that’s graced the pages of Vogue as well as hosting Warner Bros’ entertainment news show Extra. Consistently being on camera makes skin care incredibly important for the CEO and he’s passing on his beauty secrets to the masses.

I received the customizable Body Buttah Trio which included the Oatmeal Shea Cleansing Bar, the Whipped Body Butter, and the Egyptian CocoaShea Body Wash. What I loved most is that the box read, “Buttah Love From Head to Toe.” Who doesn’t want to feel that buttery moisturized feeling on their skin? I was excited to give it a try.

Looking to indulge your skin with a refresh? Try this charcoal detox mask formulated with argan oil and shea butter guaranteed to remove impurities and prevent clogging. Each ingredient from activated charcoal powder to bentonite to kaolin clay serve to extract waste and condition your skin; definitely a worthy self-care purchase.

I’m inspired by every Black and brown face around me. I’m also driven by the impact Buttah is creating in our community by increasing visibility of us in the beauty industry.

Buttah Skin gets a lot of love from the hosts of Hollywood Access. Elevate your skincare with our Skin Transforming Kit complete with a gentle cleanser, skin clearing vitamin c serum, and hydrating cocoshea skin moisturizer.

While Renaud is the founder of skincare brand Buttah Skin, his priority lies in the representation of all shapes, sizes and shades of melanin. “I can’t really speak for hair care but when it comes to us, it’s really important that I show every tone of Black and brown,” he added.

The superstar ingredient that led Dorion Renaud to create his skincare line, buttah? Raw, organic, natural Shea. It’s the powerhouse multi-tasker in so many buttah products that helps combat dryness and discoloration to leave skin glowing, healthy and renewed.

Okay, I’m sort of obsessed with Buttah. I’ve recently fallen head over heels for its bodycare products, which are truly unmatched, so now, I want to take a step back and try the skincare offerings that put the brand on the map in the first place. This cream seems like the perfect fix for my dry winter skin.

Treat your SO to an at-home spa night on Valentine's Day by sending them a personalized skincare kit from buttah. by Dorian Renaud, and encouraging them to relax.

Choose from one of the shop's Buttah Skin Bars — either the Black Gold Polishing Bar or the Oatmeal Shea Cleansing Bar — then add in your choice of body wash and whipped body butter.

Buttah by Dorion Renaud Whipped Body Butter, $29.00, available at Buttah Skin.

The driest of skin — we're talking to you, elbows, kneecaps, and heels — is no match for this shea buttah-based formula, which also has vitamin B and E to nourish and protect your skin from frigid weather and the environment.

Buttah by Dorion Renaud Whipped Body Butter, $29.00, available at Buttah Skin.

2020

Give your partner the gift of flawless skin this holiday season with this innovative facial brush for next-level cleansing, which was designed by a Black-owned company. The benefits to this tool are basically endless — using sonic pulsations, it removes dirt, oil, and impurities; massages and stimulates the skin for a healthy glow; and improves the absorption and penetration of any skincare products.

A great way to cater to someone whose love language is Physical Touch is to get them something that awakens their bodily needs and pleasures. A luxurious shower or bath followed by a decedent scented lotion is just the thing, and this Buttah Body Trio ($70) is sure to hit the spot.

Founded in 2018 by Dorian Renaud, Buttah skin products will have your skin feeling like—well, butter. A fusion of the best nature and science have to offer for your skin, Buttah uses good-for-you ingredients to target discoloration, dryness, blemishes and oiliness with their skincare products ranging from toners to masks and brushes.

I'm not ashamed to admit that reading through ingredient labels on beauty products sometimes makes my head spin. The multisyllabic words and stickers boasting those buzzy, clean, and natural monikers alone are enough to cause a mental frenzy. Compound all of this with the fact that everyone from scientists to overly confident Twitter "experts" has a different opinion about which ingredients to avoid in skincare, and it's enough to send anyone into a mental spiral. Does everything cause cancer? Is moisturizer poisonous? What is the truth?

Buttah skincare is a vibe. It's the kind of line you use when you're really feeling yourself—or when you need a little boost to remind yourself that you're that girl (or guy!). This gentle cleanser and pulsating brush are the perfect gifts for that friend who loves to bring moments of luxury into their everyday routine.

We try to keep things as positive as possible here at Who What Wear, but we won't act like we're not excited for a fresh, new year. Of course, we're still anticipating plenty of curveballs in 2021, and we realize totems of 2020 like constant mask wearing, less IRL interaction, etc. will continue to be our steadfast reality. The good news? Experimenting with all things fashion and beauty can be cathartic, fun, and a great way to spike your creative juices. And what better time than the eve of a new year for some novel inspiration?

Buttah Vitamin C Serum. A serum for anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation or dark spots, this antioxidant-rich formula from Buttah is a great pick—and the brand’s got plenty more skin saviors where that came from.

Before you say goodbye to 2020, treat your loved ones to some much-needed pampering with a memorable gift from our favorite Black-owned brands. These are the buys that your people, naughty or nice, will actually like

Stocking your shower with luxurious body products is the next best thing to a spa day. Buttah.'s body shower kit comes with a lathering shower gel, exfoliating bar soap, and a rich body butter to smooth skin and lock in hydration.

Buttah is specially formulated for melanated skin, and it strives to give that lit-from-within glow without a visit to an esthetician. Their customizable kits are perfect for the skincare enthusiast who likes to test new products.

Get to know this skincare brand creating effective products for melanin rich skin.

Buttah is a Black owned skin care brand with products specifically for melanin rich skin. This is perfect for your friend who loves self-care and wants a spa experience without leaving the house or breaking the bank.

The Customizable Skincare Kit for Melanin-Rich Complexions is a three-step kit designed to cleanse, exfoliate, protect and moisturize your skin, helping you achieve your dream skin with every application.

Customizable Sample Skin Kit. In this skincare sampler, you get a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, and the choice between one of two facial moisturizers: a lightweight cream formulated with African butters, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E or a rich facial shea butter made from 100 percent pure and organic African shea butter.

‘Tis the season for giving. And what’s a better feeling than finding the perfect gift for your friends and family? Giving back to the Black community while doing so.

After light workouts in air-conditioned gyms or wandering around giant malls, my pores often feel congested. I discovered that charcoal was the best solution. The top three were Motsi’s Detoxifying Charcoal Mask which worked especially hard on my T-zones, Country Bathhouse’s Renew Black Activated Charcoal Mask which absorbed toxins and left a heavenly smell, and Buttah’s Charcoal Detox Mask which worked in a softer, gentler fashion.

Dorion Renaud, founder of Buttah Skin, was also tired of feeling underrepresented in an industry where Black people make up more than 15% of spending power. "I had really bad skin and I suffered from hyperpigmentation," he says. "I found a routine that worked for me and so many people would ask me, 'What do you do for your skin?' At the time I was just using a gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, and shea butter right off the streets in Harlem. It was because I would go in stores and I just did not see representation of myself when it came down to the skincare space. To add insult to injury, you go to a drugstore and they have ethnic products stored in the back and locked up. It's embarrassing. It didn't feel like self-care, and beauty should be an uplifting space. We don't belong in a small, segregated section, we belong with everyone else."

This charcoal mask really gets in there to cleanse all the dead skin and gunk and sweat and stuff that piles up on my face. I use it once or twice a week. I’m on camera a lot, whether for behind-the-scenes things or just my social-media feeds, and people can tell when my skin isn’t looking good. Full disclosure, the founder of Buttah, Dorion Renaud, is a friend of mine. But he makes some truly wonderful products, especially for Black people and brown-skinned people like myself.

Delight your loved ones with these brilliant finds, exclusively from Black-owned businesses. Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing cream ($19, buttahskin.com).

I am a big fan of micropulsation face brushes. Huge. This one by Buttah Skin is an oversize version of the ones I'm used to, and I am obsessed with the larger size and customizable pulsation. It gently exfoliates my skin with its tiny silicone bristles, and I love how easy it is to clean. It pairs perfectly with other Buttah Skin offerings I've been loving, including the gentle cleanser.

As ever-smarter and smaller technology transforms the way we live, innovation naturally translates to an ever-improving field of clever skin-care tools (hello, gua sha) to transform our skin—no trip to the dermatologist’s office required. From a collagen-producing microneedling tool to a powerful bacteria-fighting light and many in between, here, 19 of the best skin-care tools that prove the future of beauty is only getting brighter.

Buttah Skin is helping us get our glow on with their Vitamin C serum ($39.00, Buttahskin.com). It features a proprietary blend of retexturizing vitamin C and antioxidants that work to make your melanin shine through. Kiss dark spots goodbye.

Summer has officially ended however we don't have to let go of that natural sun-kissed glow, thanks in part to the natural benefits of warm weather. As we transition into fall, there are still ways of achieving radiant hydrated skin during the dull cold weather months. About a year ago, I discovered the perfect combination to my everyday beauty routine, eliminating excessively oily skin transitioning into a smooth, satin-like glowy complexion I had no idea was achievable using four easy-to-use products.

When considering how to incorporate Black-owned businesses into one’s life long term, I can think of few better ways than beauty. If you love a beauty product, it will likely be something you purchase over and over again. So, below: products from Black-owned businesses for every step in your skin-care routine as recommended by myself and beauty writers, editors, and enthusiasts: from a cleansing oil with plankton extract that helps with hyperpigmentation to Fenty’s Fat Water — a toner-serum hybrid that does everything from shrink pores to brighten skin.

Renaud had been on the hunt for skin-care products for years while working as a model and living in New York. It wasn’t until he purchased a block of pure shea butter from a street vendor in Harlem, which he would melt down in his microwave, that Renaud finally began to get the results he was seeking. Shea butter has traditionally been used to treat discoloration and stretch marks and to heal scars. The ingredient became the basis of Buttah.

Actor, model, and singer Dorion Renaud is the founder of Buttah Skin. He created the brand to cater both to diverse skin tones and genders. So, Buttah Skin offers vitamin E oil serums, shea butters, and facial cleansers for men and women.

24 Black-Owned Makeup Brands to Upgrade Your Beauty Routine

Actor, model, and singer Dorion Renaud is the founder of Buttah Skin. He created the brand to cater both to diverse skin tones and genders. So, Buttah Skin offers vitamin E oil serums, shea butters, and facial cleansers for men and women.

The 5 Products That Effectively Keep My Eczema at Bay

Growing up in California, my eczema was a source of occasional discomfort. But it was nothing — nothing — compared to how bad it got when I moved to the East Coast for college. My first major seasonal shift was excruciating: My eczema was so scratchy and miserable that even putting on clothes was painful. The products I’d depended on growing up were rendered useless, fueling a frantic search for relief.

Beyoncé: The Black Parade Route. Directory of Black Owned Businesses

"Black Parade" benefits BeyGOOD's Black Business Impact Fund, administered by the NAACP, to support Black-owned small businesses in need.

The 50 Best Beauty Products That Launched in July

July was an excellent month for the beauty world, with a wide range of hair, makeup, skin, body, and nail products making their debut. As we continue to trudge through the uncertainty of the pandemic, we’re taking solace in a few new updates to our beauty routines. You will find your next holy-grail product in our 50 favorite new launches this month.

The 30 Black-Owned Beauty Brands I'll Never Stop Talking About

The world of beauty is vast. You'd think that with the countless items that make up the massive market, everyone would feel represented by the offerings. Unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case—for decades, deeper skin tones were downright ignored. Few products were created with dark skin tones in mind, and many brands mistakenly thought one "deep" foundation shade was enough.

8 Products That Delighted Us Last Week: From Dishwashers to Unitards

We write about hundreds of products a week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked out some of our favorites — expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and the very good deals we uncovered while trolling through the vast online-shopping universe this past week, including a vitamin-C serum made for melanated skin.

16 Things to Buy If You Want to ‘Shop Melanated’

Growing up, my parents, Magic and Cookie Johnson, always reminded me of the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and Black creators: As consumers, doing so is our obligation to create generational wealth for our community. Attending New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, where I graduated from in 2018, made me even more aware of how the fashion-and-beauty industry continually profits off of Black culture and creativity yet more than often leaves its sources of inspiration with zero credit.

15 Travel Beauty Products from Black-Owned Brands

Add these TSA-friendly skin, hair, and makeup products to your dopp kit.

For too long, beauty products have catered primarily to those with European features, and ignored the specific needs of those with natural hair and darker skin tones. And it gets harder to find specific products when you further narrow the pool to travel-sized items.

26 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Need on Your Radar

Thankfully, the beauty industry landscape is slowly shifting, with an increase in the number of Black-owned beauty brands available, and online shopping making it more convenient than ever to shop for them. Supporting these brands is an important way to help push the industry even further.

Blackout Day 2020: Black-owned beauty and fashion brands to support now and forever

Following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others, many Americans are mourning, protesting and standing in solitude against centuries-long racial injustice. Ways to support powerful platforms such as Black Lives Matter include learning through literature about race and privilege.

Buttah’s Charcoal Detox Mask Is A New Addition To Its Collection Made With Melanin-Rich Skin Tones In Mind

When it comes to skincare made specifically for the needs of Black skin, one brand refuses to go unmentioned: Buttah. Dorion Renaud's brainchild has become a staple for those with melanin-rich skin tones, even with its still-small (but growing) lineup of products.

125 Best Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Support Right Freakin' Now

Beauty might seem too frivolous to talk about, think about, or indulge in right now. The country—and frankly, the world— is coming undone in the wake of protests against police brutality and overall inequality in the Black community (read: racism). However, this massive round up of Black-owned beauty brands is to serve as an opportunity to not only expand your knowledge of companies that are often overlooked—but to also use your dollars for good.

15 Black-Owned Men's Beauty Brands To Gift This Father's Day

To continue the conversation and show your support, there are decisions as simple as what you're buying your dad for Father's Day that can make a big impact. If you've yet to pick up a present, you'll want to check out these Black-owned men's beauty brands that serve as the perfect places to find gifts for fathers or father figures this year — and every year after.

13 Highly Recommended Beauty Gems From Black-Owned Businesses

Below, I’ve rounded up a list of truly excellent beauty gems, tried and loved by myself, as well as many of my beauty-obsessed friends, editors, and writers. All of them are produced by black, independently owned skin-care, makeup, and hair-care brands — from an intensely vibrant, high-pigment eyeshadow palette to a tumeric-rich vitamin C serum.

40+ Black-owned Skincare Brands to Shop Now

Facials have been getting me through the last few months. Taking the time to focus on nothing but what I'm putting on my face has become oddly comforting. It is the time of my day when I'm totally in control of every step, every thought, every intention. Some might think the act giving yourself a facial or even washing your face is frivolous and unnecessary while the world burns. But I think taking the time to do something that feels good, something calming, something restorative and comforting is essential.

11 Black-owned businesses to support ahead of Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of African slaves in America. As we approach this day of celebration, rolling out is urging our community to continue to support Black businesses. While countless Black-owned businesses are serving and uplifting our community, we have compiled a short list of 11 here for you to consider.

15+ Black-Owned Skincare Brands with Products for Sensitive Skin

As people across the country advocate for racial justice, there are numerous ways you can take action. Apart from donating to organizations, we can also show our support by highlighting and putting money into black-owned businesses, especially smaller black-owned companies since Covid-19 has threatened to close many.

40 Black-owned and founded beauty brands to support

The protests inspired across the country has shown that we still haven’t combated racism hard enough. It’s structurally entrenched in our economic and political system, which means that the best way forward is not only through policy but the economy. We can spur change by voting but also by supporting black-owned businesses so they can thrive.

TRIED IT: Buttah Skin Products Gave My Dull Skin A Natural Glow

My skin and I have not been getting along since this whole COVID-19 situation, especially with the stress of everything happening within the Black community. My T-Zone and chin area have been extremely sensitive with the lack of Vitamin D from going outside and living my best life, personal and professional stress factors and insufficient amounts of sleep.

15 Black-Owned Businesses to Support in 2020

Supporting Black-owned businesses is a small step we can do to effect change in the fight for racial justice and social inequities. Shopping from Black-owned businesses is one of many ways to join this fight, other than marching in local protests, signing online petitions, and calling your elected officials. I want this blog post to be a resource to anyone out there who is confused or is generally unaware of how to begin supporting Black-owned businesses.

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15 Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Support — Shop Their Top Products

Amid the George Floyd protests, people are looking for as many ways to support the black community as possible. One way to do that? Shop brands created and run by people of color.

The beauty industry is filled with inspiring stories from impressive founders, especially including innovative black women who have worked hard over the years to fill in the gaps of inclusivity.

The 12 Best Eczema Treatments, According To Three Dermatologists

After spending a majority of my life haphazardly applying body lotion (or oil) as I pleased, I discovered a strange, itchy, scaly patch of skin on the right side of my shin. “Must be an allergic reaction,” I said to myself as I brushed it off since I do test a gazillion things. But after a few weeks when the constant itching and irritation didn’t let up, I headed to my dermatologist....I soon discovered I was suffering from eczema, a first in my life.

Influencers Share How Much Money They Spend On Skin Care

Thanks to beauty influencers on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, we now have skin care tutorials and beauty product reviews at our fingertips 24/7, driving consumer curiosity and purchasing trends. Meanwhile, the internet has gotten an upgrade with 4K resolution on new TV screens, and YouTubers and Instagrammers are seeking out treatments to look their best in HD.

10 Black-Owned Skincare Brands You Need to Know About

Skin is the human body's largest organ, and it's important to care for yours with rich and thoughtful ingredients that are deeply nourishing. But being conscious of ingredients is only part of the equation. By supporting special brands that work tirelessly (usually from their own kitchens) to create products with melanin-rich skin in mind, you can help spur change.

This Actor's Skincare Line is Redefining Beauty for Black Men

Black men and beauty aren’t always synonymous within the beauty industry. That’s why actor, model, and singer Dorion Renaud created Buttah Skin with black men in mind. The natural skincare collection includes a vitamin E oil serum, shea butter, and a facial cleanser. And with his products, he wants brothas to know that they can feel beautiful, too!

Meet Dorion Renaud, Founder of Buttah Skin

Every once in awhile you see someone with skin so flawless you have to hunt them down and ask for the details of their skin-care routine. It’s even more rare that when you ask, they tell you their brand is responsible for the glow. Such is the case with actor and brand founder Dorion Renaud, whose skin is so smooth you can practically see your reflection.