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Best Lotions for Black Men: Top 7 Brands Reviewed

Bath and shower gels come and go, but lotions remain. They are a go-to product with multiple use cases, such as keeping the skin smooth and soft. A good body lotion is thus an essential product for a well-groomed black man.

4 best lotions for black men floating on water

Whether you spend your time sculpting at the gym or working in your garden, you need to be sure to use an effective body lotion to keep your skin feeling and looking great. A good body lotion is an investment for your skin. It’s important to make use of a moisturizer at least once a day.

In a rush? Here are my top picks:
Best Smelling Lotion

Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion for African American men
Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion

Adds a radiant glow

Get absorbed easily
Creamy but not greasy
Organic ingredients
Best Budget Buy

Bliss Body Lotion for Black Men
Bliss Body Lotion for Dry Skin

Softens black skin

Affordable price
Medium-light consistency
Perfect for dry skin

As far as lotions go, some formulas can do a better job than others at hydrating the skin. This is because formulas can contain hydrating ingredients like butter, plant oils, and humectants like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin.

Don’t let dry skin give you an excuse to hide under old sweatpants. Take a look at some of the best body lotions for black men to add moisture, smoothness, and a youthful sheen to your skin. They moisturize your skin and maintain its suppleness.

Effective lotions work with your body’s natural moisture to help keep your skin moist and appealing. They often have special ingredients that help keep your skin looking and feeling great.

Summary of the Top-Rated Lotions for Black Men

When looking for a good moisturizer for black men’s skin, it’s important to examine the product’s consistency, texture, scent, and quantity. In addition, look at the cost-to-quality ratio to make sure you get your money’s worth.

For men with dry skin, consider the quantities available, since your skin would likely use up the product quickly.

Best forLotion for Black Men
Overall ExperienceJack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion
Affordable LotionBliss Body Lotion
Dry SkinPeter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Men’s Nourishing Body Lotion
All-Natural LotionBarrel and Oak – Hydrating Men’s Body Moisturizer
Glowing SkinL’Occitane Moisturizing Shea Butter Rich Body Lotion
Facial LotionMalin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Face Moisturizer
Sensitive SkinArchipelago Botanicals Botanico de Havana Body Lotion

I worked with our grooming contributors to share some top products. Hopefully, this will make it easy to put together a routine that’ll help keep everything from your face to your toe feeling soft and smooth.

The best body lotion for African American men I found was one formulated by Jack Black, which is a brand known for its care products. The product smelled fresh, and it didn’t feel greasy during or after application.

While reviewing the contents of lotions for black skin, I looked for products that contained shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E, among other ingredients. I also looked for products that are slightly oily and unscented.

Let’s get started!

What Is the Best Face and Body Lotion for Black Men?

The best body lotion for black men is Jack Black’s Cool Moisture. This is a product designed to make you feel more confident while also helping you smell amazing.

That said, it’s advisable to consider all options available here before making a choice.

Jack Black Cool Moisture can help your skin stay cool, hydrated, and nourished. This lightweight, quick-penetrating lotion soothes irritated skin.

The Best Smelling Lotion for African American Men

Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion for African American men
Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion

The body moisturizer contains many features that appeal to a broad range of customers, thus allowing it to become a sought-after body lotion in the industry. As a man who wants to take care of his black skin, you should consider this product.

It’s made from the best stuff around; it helps skin shrug off dryness in a flash, and it smells great. This moisturizer feels so good on your skin, you’ll be tempted to eat it! With the many ingredients that it contains, it is almost impossible to find someone with whom it might not work.

Ingredients

This rich, creamy body lotion contains organic oils and extracts to help soothe and moisturize the skin. The formula uses Macadamia Nut Oil, one of the brand’s proprietary oils, along with Vitamin E to deeply moisturize the skin and help fight signs of aging.

User Experience

Unlike most lotions, it helps provide immediate relief through its efficient and advanced delivery system of bio-available ingredients. You can get fast relief from itchiness, discomfort, and dryness while enhancing your skin’s comfort and moisture levels with the lotion.

Men who use this body moisturizer will enjoy a light, fresh, and pleasant masculine scent. The scent isn’t overpowering after it gets absorbed, but lingers with a soft, subtle scent for a long time. In short, it smells fantastic!

Caring for your skin takes time and money, so why not make the process more convenient by getting a good body lotion?

What I Like

Get absorbed easily
Creamy but not greasy
Smells great and isn’t overpowering
Organic ingredients

What Can Improve

Comes in a plastic bag

Final Verdict

When I was looking for lotions for black men’s skin, I was interested in finding something different from the usual products available. I decided to give Jack Black lotion a shot because I was intrigued by the claims about its efficacy, and it worked out to be so. I have used it for about a year now, and I have not been disappointed.

Why choose Bliss Body Lotion over all the other brands? First off, this male body lotion is appropriate for oily and dry skin as it contains shea butter, an ingredient that most lotions don’t contain. It moisturizes and softens your skin.

Best Lotion for Dry African American Skin

Bliss Body Lotion for Black Men
Bliss Body Lotion for Dry Skin

This body moisturizer is formulated using natural ingredients to soften the skin, without adding harsh chemicals. It’s gentle enough to use every day and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and revived. It’s safe to say this is one of the best body lotions due to its moisturizing ability and availability of options. Plus, it smells great!

This lotion has a nice consistency. When you apply it to your skin, it will quickly become very soft, smooth, and shiny. It also has a very sensual experience. Skincare products made by Bliss are always very effective and pleasing to the eye.

It is a lotion that comes in several variants. You have to pick between Lemon and Sage, Grape and Aloe, Blood Orange and White Pepper, or the Naked Option. If you prefer a fragrance-free lotion, go for the Naked variant. Also, note that none of the other options is too strong or overpowering.

User Experience

With the help of the lotion, you can prevent skin dryness associated with the harsh weather of winter in North America.

While dry skin has never been a problem for me, I was intrigued by the idea of a lotion that both moisturizes and smells good. The scent of this product truly does fade, though the smell is really nice, so you won’t have a problem.

Wondering if you should try this lotion? You should. It does what it claims to do. It is a body lotion, not a body butter, so keep this in mind if you prefer the thicker texture of body butter. But if you want to hydrate without adding a significant sheen to your skin, I think you’ll like it.

What I Like

Affordable price
A fragrance-free option is available
Medium-light consistency
Readily absorbs into the skin
Perfect for oily and dry skin

What Can Improve

This isn’t a body butter

Final Verdict

Overall, this moisturizer by Bliss turns creamy as it’s massaged into the skin for super-smooth results, leaving you soft and dry—not greasy at all. It could be my favorite body lotion—and, trust me, I’ve tried a lot of other options. I love the way it glides on, and I hate to think about having to shop for new lotion when I exhaust one.

Peter Thomas Roth’s body lotion is a light, creamy body lotion that won’t clog your pores. It contains cooling cucumber and antioxidants.

This lotion also contains a blend of moisturizing ingredients that work together to moisturize and protect your skin. It’s discreetly packaged, and portable, with a viscous consistency designed to moisturize the skin without a greasy residue.

I’d recommend you pamper your skin with Peter Thomas Roth’s skin care products. They are the product of many years of scientific research, and they range from facial cleansers all the way up to sophisticated anti-aging preparations and body moisturizers.

This nourishing body lotion perfectly balances the creaminess of a lotion with the light feel of a gel. Its mission is to nourish, smooth, and bring a sense of comfort to the skin. A colleague once used it when he was encountering some skin issues, and the lotion was very helpful.

User Experience

It combines shea butter, vitamins E and B5 to intensely hydrate the skin. And the soothing smell of lemon and the invigorating scent of rosemary are both energizing. That’s why it is a fitting lotion for black men’s skin.

When I stayed at Hilton Hotels, I found a sample size of Peter Thomas Roth lotion in my bathroom. Since then, I’ve been a fan of it. Once you’ve used this lotion, you’ll never again want to use anything else. It’s that good! You don’t have to worry about washing your hands after applying it.

What I Like

Good for daily use
Non-greasy feeling
Perfect for the summer months
Appealing fragrance

What Can Improve

Not a solution for very dry skin

Final Verdict

Peter Thomas Roth’s body lotion is by far my favorite lotion to use on a daily basis. The light scent is pleasant, not overpowering, and can be applied over other scents without clashing or competing. It sinks in quickly without being greasy. It’s not heavy like most lotions, so it’s great for use in the summer.

From barrel to barrel and oak to oak, this richly lathery men’s lotion revitalizes even the roughest of skin, keeping them hydrated and refreshed.

Best All-Natural Lotion for Men With Caramel Skin

Barrel and Oak – Hydrating Men’s Body Moisturizer
Barrel and Oak – Hydrating Men’s Body Moisturizer

The lotion combines 100% natural extracts of hemp oil and elderberry extract, which have a great healing ability to help rejuvenate and strengthen your skin.

Barrel and Oak body moisturizer is a masculine, woodsy blend with the fresh scent of leaves and spicy notes of the outdoors. It leaves your skin feeling smooth and is perfect for a day at the office or outdoors. It is also great for keeping your skin hydrated and your pores clear.

User Experience

Aside from its great cedarwood, bourbon, and smoky vanilla scent, this product has a rich blend of organic oils that are amazing for your skin. Once applied, you will feel the softest your skin has ever been. The organic olive oil in this body lotion produces a radiant sheen and a smooth feel. It also has a creamy texture that’s so relaxing and soothing.

As a black man, it gives me the opportunity to care for my skin through the daily use of a sophisticated and decidedly masculine product. I recommend that you give this moisturizer a try.

What I Like

Contains hemp oil
Natural ingredients
Masculine, bourbon-cedar scent
Absorbs quickly

What Can Improve

The sun protection factor (15 SPF) and viscosity aren’t high enough

Final Verdict

Conclusively, I love how Barrel and Oak lotion smells manly—nothing girly about it. You’ll likely love the masculine scent of this lotion, which is unlike artificial fragrances. It isn’t oily or slimy, either. It absorbs quickly, so it doesn’t feel like you’re slathering on jelly. As a plus, other users have described their love for the bourbon-cedar scent in the reviews.

Imagine your skin as soft as a newborn baby’s, and as luscious as the finest European suede. L’Occitane’s Moisturizing Shea Butter Body Lotion delivers this luxurious experience to anyone who uses it.

The moisturizer has a creamy, rich consistency and a light shea butter scent.

Ingredients

As its name suggests, it features shea butter, which has fatty acids and it’s a natural source of vitamins A and E. It soothes your dry skin with the sweetness of shea butter. It is a must-have staple for every shower which isn’t surprising that the product has been a top seller for years and remains a popular brand.

This lotion is an excellent moisturizer for daily use on the entire body. It has become popular in recent years because of its delicate, floral scent and its versatility. Made with high-quality shea butter and essential oils, L’Occitane’s moisturizing body lotion is light yet intensely moisturizing, making the skin silky smooth with a healthy glow.

You probably won’t believe it, but it’s true. This lotion has a real, honest-to-goodness hint of natural honey in it. It’s more than just a hint, and more like the faint aroma of cookies baking in the oven. It has a fresh, light fragrance.

This lotion contains shea butter, which is harvested from the nuts of the fruit of a shea tree native to Africa. The shea tree is also known as the tree of life, because of its many health benefits.

User Experience

It is the perfect lotion for your body and hands, absorbs quickly, and is not oily at all. Also, it protects the hands from becoming dry, cracked, or itchy. Even better, it diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, leaving the skin looking firmer and younger. You can use it anytime, anywhere.

This rich, hydrating shea butter lotion is ultra-nourishing and smells heavenly. It is probably the most exotic-smelling body product I have ever tried. It’s very thick and moisturizing, and the smell lingers for hours even after you apply it to your skin. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.

Furthermore, I use the product daily and have shared it with many of my friends. It’s a high-value product at a great price. I highly recommend it since it is a fast-absorbing moisturizer that works as well on thick, black, curly hair as it does on fine, straight hair.

If you are looking to even out dry and rough areas on your body, you can use this shea butter lotion. It wouldn’t even feel sticky.

What I Like

Lasts a long time
It makes the skin soft
Absorbs into the skin quickly
Reduces wrinkles
Rich in vitamins

What Can Improve

The scent is not unique

Final Verdict

All around, if you love the fragrance of shea butter, you’ll love this lotion. It’s thick and creamy and naturally made. It will leave your skin soft and smelling heavenly. I tried this lotion on my face and it kept my skin soft and moisturized.

My dad would always tell me, “If you keep using the same stuff over and over, you could be missing out on something better.”

I finally realized what he meant when I discovered Malin + Goetz Body Lotion. Often regarded as the best lotion for black men.

Ingredients

A vitamin B5 body moisturizer, this product from Malin + Goetz is a great way to defuse post-winter skin. A vitamin and seaweed extract blend that keeps skin soft and fresh. It softens skin without greasiness, leaving it feeling supple and hydrated.

The moisturizing benefits of vitamin B5 are great for black men because, as an effective humectant, it helps keep the body soft and supple. While bergamot extract is added to create a calming scent and prevent the growth of odor-causing microorganisms.

This light, pleasantly fragranced lotion contains vitamin B5, which is naturally found in the human body. The smell of this moisturizer is earthy, with a hint of shea. It’s not overwhelmingly scented like some other products, which I love because I don’t like my skin to smell like flowers.

User Experience

This is an efficient moisturizer that boosts and maintains the moisture level of the skin, proving especially beneficial to both men and women. This is an anti-aging, antioxidant blend, and it provides over 24 hours of lasting hydration to restore elasticity, suppleness, and help promote healthier-looking skin.

While visiting New York City for an event, I had the chance to try Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer sample size at Le Meridien Hotel. I fell in love with the lotion. The consistency was lightweight yet super-hydrating, and it smells like you’ve just peeled a lemon.

What I Like

Vitamin B5 is present
Natural fragrance, not overly perfumed
The skin feels softer
No silicone fillers

What Can Improve

It’s more of a moisturizer rather than a lotion

Final Verdict

When it comes to lotion, I’ve been through it all. I’ve tried that cheap drugstore lotion that leaves you feeling greasy. I’ve tried expensive designer lotions that don’t moisturize. And now, I recommend Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer for how silky it feels when it is rubbed into my skin and how soft and fresh it leaves my skin.

Imagine taking a walk in the Pacific Northwest woods and stepping into a sun-warmed dewy forest. Archipelago Botanicals Body Lotion captures that feeling and many more; it’s a great way to relax and refresh your black skin.

Best Long-Lasting Lotion for Sensitive Black Skin

Archipelago Botanicals Botanico de Havana Body Lotion
Archipelago Botanicals Botanico de Havana Body Lotion

The formula soothes and softens dry skin.

Ingredients

The body lotion is light and has a lot of botanical extracts for the skin. It is packed with natural ingredients such as tangerine peel, coffee bean, ylang-ylang, bergamot, and tobacco flower, which give it its signature scent. Extracted from plants, these ingredients are absorbed into the skin for ultimate hydration and improve the skin’s protective layer.

These ingredients can help nourish and soothe dry, sun-damaged skin. You will also have relief if you experience the redness associated with dry skin.

User Experience

I like the moisturizer because it’s not greasy and it makes my hands and skin feel soft. I also like that I can use it on my face, hands, and body.

Indeed, I cherish how hydrated my skin feels after I put it on; it’s like my skin is drinking it up. It is also easy to spread and has a great smell.

What I Like

Great consistency
Results in smooth and supple skin
Contains natural ingredients
Smells citrusy

What Can Improve

The scent is not impressive

Final Verdict

Are you ready to get soft and smooth skin? Archipelago Botanicals Body Lotion will help you do just that. This moisturizer combines tangerine peel, coffee bean, and tobacco flower extracts with bergamot and ylang-ylang extracts that leave your skin feeling silky smooth.

To share my current favorites with you, this guide will be updated as often as needed. Now, let’s talk about finding a nice lotion for African-American men.

How to Identify Good Lotions for Black Men

Black men’s skin can be just as dry as other skin tones, but sometimes we tend to neglect it because of the perception that black men’s skin is more rugged. This may be true in some cases, but not always. African-American men with darker skin tones are more prone to certain skin-related issues such as hyperpigmentation and ingrown hair.

When deciding on the right lotion for black skin, you need to take multiple factors into account. It is important to consider your lifestyle, skin type, and the state of your skin to choose the right moisturizer.

Learn what to look for in a moisturizer for black men, from ingredients to skin tone to treatment goals. Find out how to apply it so that your skin can be beautiful and healthy. Here are some characteristics to consider.

1. Examine the Ingredients

When shopping for a new moisturizer, it’s a good idea to look for one that contains certain ingredients. Acne lotions should contain ingredients that have been approved by dermatologists. You shouldn’t choose a lotion that contains ingredients that can clog your skin’s pores or cause rashes or inflammation.

If a product you like contains a component known for clogging pores, that is a definite no-no for those with face and body acne. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had to drop a lotion bottle just because of an ingredient that it contained.

People with dry skin should look for moisturizers or lotions like Bliss Body Lotion that contain ingredients like ceramides and glycerin, while people with eczema should seek out ointments that contain heavier-duty emollients, like L’Occitane Moisturizing Shea Butter Rich Body Lotion.

Everyone has different skin circumstances. For those with sensitive skin, the ingredients of lotions are more important than the lotion’s actual formula. In that case, Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer is recommended.

In summary, someone with dry, sensitive skin should reach for lotions rather than creams, while those with eczema should opt for the latter of the two. Everyone’s skin situation is different, so get clear on your own before you shop for cosmetics. Distinct skin types respond differently to skincare products.

2. Consider Your Skin Type

Keeping in mind your skin type, and more specific directions on any skincare goals will help you make fully informed decisions. You may choose a moisturizer based on what its active ingredients do.

For example, do you want a lotion that reduces redness, even skin tone, and moisturizes melanin-rich skin? Or do you want a formula to diminish the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, or scars?

If your skin is sabotaged and you want it to look rejuvenated or attractive, your best options are vitamin E, petroleum jelly, beeswax, and mineral oil. These oils have healing and anti-inflammatory properties and can provide you with moist, smooth black skin.

Their light, non-comedogenic properties don’t clog pores, cause allergic reactions, or create unpleasant responses. Additionally, they are non-irritating and soothing.

Once you identify your skincare goals, you can direct your attention toward ingredients that work for your unique skin.

3. Check How It Smells

For the best results, choose a lotion that smells good to you. Smelling wonderful is part of the fun!

To get the most out of your skincare routine, it’s important to pick a lotion that has a pleasing fragrance. You should wear it daily for the best results. This will help keep your skin looking smooth and prevent premature aging.

Plus, if you select a product you like the smell of, you’ll be more likely to use it frequently. Using scented lotion can also contribute to the frequency of use.

In addition, individuals with skin conditions such as eczema should avoid scented lotions, as these may exacerbate their skin issues. It is also smart to use unscented lotion if you are sensitive to smells.

4. Ensure It Has an Excellent Lotion Consistency

Lotions come in a variety of consistencies and textures. To find a lotion that works for you, it’s important to figure out what kind of feeling is right for you. Some people like lotions with a thicker consistency, while others prefer more fluid lotions.

Lotions with oils may feel greasy, while lotions based on glycerin feel thicker. I prefer lotions that are not very thin. If you like a lotion that’s thin and runs easily into your skin, look for water-based lotions. Thick lotions are usually made of oil, while thinner ones are made of water with a gel base.

Make sure that you choose a consistency that you like, as that is the key to maximizing the lotion experience. Test a few different kinds to see which you prefer.

The Bottom Line

So, to help you make the right decision, we have examined some of the best body lotions for black men based on careful research. They help restore moisture and hydration to the skin, soothe the skin, and nourish it with vitamins. Each body lotion included here has a scent unique to its brand, ingredients, and consistency.

We found them by assessing products that are available on the market today. None of them are included because they were advertised or recommended to us by the manufacturer. A number of the lotions are manly-scented moisturizers that contain natural ingredients.

These are some ideas to try out the next time you want to buy a body lotion. Your best bet is to test different products to see what works best for you. You can get them from online marketplaces, specialty stores, and traditional retailers.

About the Author

Dante Morton

Grooming Professional

Dante Morton is a grooming professional and fashion expert. He has a jovial personality and a passion for skincare, as well as styling the hair and beards of black men. Before joining GroomHour, Dante worked with several big players in the beauty industry. Join Dante and several monthly readers on GroomHour.com, and enrich your lifestyle with reliable grooming resources.