Why Men of Color Should Add Ceylon Skincare to their Skin Health Routine

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

Like all things, skin care is not one-size-fits-all — and when it comes to keeping melanated skin healthy, Ceylon Skincare is one of my favorite brands to use on myself and clients.

Ceylon was founded by Patrick Boateng II as a way to address skin problems such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and razor bumps, particularly for men of color. He was living in China at the time and faced chronic skin issues as a result of air and water pollution and thus, Ceylon was born.

As an aesthetician and Black man, I also know the challenges of treating skin issues in men of different ethnicities. According to a UC San Francisco study, melanated skin is thicker and more durable because of the melanin — so when it comes to facials, I’ve found that darker skin may require a different skin care approach than lightly pigmented or white skin.

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

That’s exactly why I created my signature Gentlemen’s Skin Engineering technique, a facial treatment that I customize for every client based on their lifestyle, ethnic background, and skin concerns. And that’s where Ceylon comes in: I use the products on male clients of color because it really compliments the melanated skin and addresses the level of nourishment that we need.

When I first discovered Ceylon, I loved it right off the bat because the ingredients and formulas are incredibly effective. The brand worked with dermatologist Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant when formulating the line, which is comprised of the Detoxifying Facial Wash, Hydrating Toner, and Clarifying Moisturizer. Judging from my own results after using Ceylon regularly, the brand truly understands the thickness of a man’s skin.

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

I also love that the brand is very accessible: The three-product set is $35, but you can also buy the products individually for $14 each. Each product comes in a 50 mL bottle, so it’s all TSA-friendly and great for throwing into your gym bag for post-workout skin care, too.

Keep reading below for my Ceylon Skincare review and why I love its products.

Overall: I like it because it’s a really straightforward skin care system: Cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, toner. That’s it — which means no more excuses about not having enough time to take care of your skin. The ingredients have great efficacy and I’ve seen the tone and texture of my skin improve. It does give nourishment to the tone and hydrates and enriches the skin. I keep it stocked in the treatment room and I recommend it to all of my clients for at-home skin maintenance in between facial appointments.

Scent: I really like the natural fragrance, which doesn’t smell too overpowering. A good scent can help make your skin care routine feel a little bit more relaxing and luxurious, and that’s exactly what Ceylon offers. The cleanser has a little tea tree oil and lavender-like scent that’s very subtle and warm.

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

Ceylon Detoxifying Facial Wash: One of my favorite things about Ceylon’s non-foaming cleanser is that it doesn’t strip your skin of oils; I’ve found that many other cleansers do remove too much oil. The product is not super dry, so your skin feels supple, soft, and firm while still maintaining the right amount of natural oil.

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

Ceylon Hydrating Toner: I love the toner. It’s refreshing and calming, and I like to put mine in the refrigerator. I even spray it in my beard. It was designed to bring pH balance to the skin, which helps to protect the epidermis from pollution and maintain moisture levels.

The lavender and chamomile also give it a warm smell that I love.

Photo: Ceylon Skincare

Clarifying Moisturizer: This product has a light, buttery consistency that nourishes the skin. What I really like is that this moisturizer has just the right amount of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) — sometimes, men’s skincare brands use too much, but that isn’t the case with Ceylon.

The AHAs offer light exfoliation to help even out the skin tone, and they also help prevent breakouts, improve fine lines, correct discoloration, and boost collagen. I found that my skin definitely felt stronger and protected against the elements after using Ceylon’s moisturizer regularly.

Looking to upgrade (or start) your own skin care routine? Learn more about Ceylon Skincare here, and if you’re in L.A., check out the men’s skincare and grooming services that I offer.