ESSENCE's Best in Black Beauty 2018: Skin

Nothing is sexier than glowing skin. And for those obsessed with beauty finds, we’ve round up the best products healthy, happy epidermises each year. A common thread in this year’s skincare finds are products that are easy to insert into your daily regimen— that are also packed with Vitamin E, SPF and other goodies. 

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This brew packs a beautiful punch. The highly effective combination of pure ferulic acid, pure vitamin E and the herb Centella asiatica helps skin fight pollution, infrared radiation and UVA rays. lancÔme Advanced Génifique Sensitive Serum ($78, lancome-usa.com).

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A great face oil can make all the difference in a beauty regimen (even if you have naturally oily skin), especially that glowy and dewy look so many of us are after. The key is finding one that’s not superheavy and melts into the skin. Look no further than these three gems. Eve Lom Radiance Face Oil ($80, spacenk.com); Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil ($95, tatcha.com); Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($47, 1 oz, kiehls.com).

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Hyperpigmentation can be incredibly stubborn. So finding a product that actually helps to fade discoloration quickly without irritating skin can feel like a godsend. These three standouts do just that. Paula’s Choice RESIST Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 7% AHA Lotion ($27, paulaschoice.com); Urban skin Rx Super C Brightening Serum ($58, urbanskinrx.com); Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% ($20, clinique.com).

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We’ll never stop appreciating the convenience and effectiveness of a good sheet mask. The stars in this category are just that and so much more. Fresher and more fabulous skin is just a few sheets away. Neutrogena Hydro Boost 100% Hydrogel Mask ($3, walmart.com); edible beauty australia Express: Bloom of Youth Infusion Masks ($44 for 5-pack, ediblebeautyaustralia.com); Joanna Vargas Twilight Mask ($75 for 5-pack, joannavargas.com)

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This past year we were blessed with a first-to-market pure vitamin C dissolvable square and a facial moisturizer that releases 1,000 times its weight in hydration and active ingredients. Amen. Mary kay TimeWise Vitamin C Activating Squares ($24 for 12 pack, marykay.com); olay Whips moisturizer ($29, olay.com).

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When a pimple pops up there is only one place we want it: gone. Blemishes don’t stand a chance against this crew. Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser ($68, tataharperskincare.com); Peter Thomas Roth Acne‑Clear Invisible Dots ($30, sephora.com); m-61 PowerSpot Blemish Lotion ($16, bluemercury.com).

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One of the most commonly used excuses Black women give for skipping SPF is, “It makes me look ashy.” And while that may have been the case, there are a lot of new products that blend perfectly into our rich skin. These three winners not only do that but they are also hydrating. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce SPF 50+ ($40, shiseido.com); 3LAB Perfect Sunscreen SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum ($50, barneys.com); ZO Skin Health Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 ($70, zoskinhealth.com).

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If you don’t have one of these in your beauty regimen, add one immediately. AHA and BHA formulations help improve the texture of your skin, minimize the appearance of pores and remove dead skin cells. The result is a radiant and revitalized complexion. Need we say more? elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask ($79, elemis.com); drunk elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial ($80, sephora.com); Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant ($70, rescuespa.com).