Growing up in a South Asian household, I was always aware of my “brown” skin. It was hard not to be. The messaging in my environment and on every beauty commercial was clear: lighter skin was better, fairer was indeed more lovely. From Bollywood movies glorifying lighter skin tones to marriage advertisements explicitly stating that the bride must be fair, and it wasn’t just in the media – it was woven into our everyday lives and ingrained in our DNA as South Asian women.
Bluntly we were told beauty was in lighter tones. The sun was the enemy because it would darken our complexion – and who wanted that? How could we be lovely then? After all, it was Fair and Lovely, not Glow and Lovely (as they are now rebranded) I remember seeing ads for Fair & Lovely, complete with their infamous shade card, promoting the idea that brown-skinned people were unhappy, and that happiness lay in becoming fairer.
This was the narrative that shaped many of us – a narrative that we must unlearn. Finally, a new innovative skincare brand, Brownkind, is changing that narrative by celebrating the inherent beauty of all tones.
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The reality is, that 4 in 7 people have melanin-rich skin. Yet, the majority of skincare products are developed for lighter skin tones, rooted in Eurocentric ideals of beauty. With a lack of diversity in the field of dermatology – only 3 percent of practicing dermatologists identify as Black or African-American and only 4 percent as Hispanic – there’s a clear gap in understanding the unique needs of melanin-rich skin. We’ve been exposed to these standards all our lives, conditioned to believe that they represent the epitome of attractiveness. But the world is not made up of just one type of skin, and melanin-rich skin cannot be treated the same way as lighter skin. It’s time to challenge the outdated notion that there’s a one-size-fits-all solution to skincare.
Melanin is a pigment that gives skin its color, and the more melanin you have, the darker your tone. Melanin-rich skin is powerful, with its natural ability to protect against UV damage. But it also comes with unique challenges, like hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, that require specialized care. Many people of color aren’t even aware that they have melanin in their skin, or how to properly care for it. This lack of education has led to a gap in the market, one that Brownkind is stepping in to fill.
The easiest way to visualize the difference in aging between light skin and melanin-rich skin is to think about two fruits: a peach and a pear. A peach, like light skin, tends to wrinkle get fine lines and wrinkles first as it ages. The pear, on the other hand, represents melanin-rich skin. It first browns gets spots and patchiness as it ages.
The first signs of aging in melanin-rich skin are often dullness, uneven tone, and pigmentation issues. Fine lines and wrinkles appear later on. This highlights the need for specialized skincare that addresses the unique aging process of melanin-rich skin, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
This is why Brownkind exists — to redefine beauty by celebrating melanin-rich skin in all its shades. Founded by dermatologists of color with over 50 years of experience, the brand is committed to offering long-overlooked knowledge and providing the skincare solutions that people of color deserve.
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Brownkind understands that melanin-rich skin isn’t just darker; it’s different. It needs to be treated with products that work with its natural properties, not against them. Our skin type is powerful, with melanin offering natural UV protection, but it also faces unique challenges like hyperpigmentation and uneven tone.
Brownkind’s approach to skincare is a blend of modern medicine, proven science, and traditional knowledge. Their formulas are designed to preserve the radiance and health of melanin-rich skin, using powerful plant-based ingredients like Indian Gooseberry, Rainbow Algae, and Cacao.
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- Indian Gooseberry is an ancient plant known for its anti-aging antioxidant properties, rich in Vitamin C.
- Rainbow Algae is a nutrient-dense ocean extract that helps regulate melanin production.
- Cacao is packed with antioxidants that refine texture, boost circulation, and soothe the skin.
These ingredients work together to preserve tone, elasticity, and your natural glow, reinforcing your skin’s barrier and protecting it from the sun, pollutants, and other stressors. With Brownkind, the focus is on preserving your skin’s natural beauty, not altering it to fit a Eurocentric ideal.
For many people of color, the journey with beauty and skincare is deeply personal. Whether it’s dealing with thick eyebrows, code-switching, or even being teased for having “smelly lunch boxes” in school, there are shared experiences that connect us. Brownkind is here to honor these collective journeys, empowering people of color to embrace their skin as it is.
The brand’s mission is clear: to celebrate, educate, and empower.
They aim to unlearn the harmful beauty messages that many of us have internalized and replace them with knowledge, confidence, and self-love. Importantly, Brownkind is not limited to serving just the South Asian community; it caters to all shades of brown across every ethnicity. By celebrating the global diversity of melanin, Brownkind is championing a more inclusive and representative beauty industry where everyone is seen, heard, and celebrated.
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As we unlearn the damaging narratives about skin and beauty that have been passed down to us, Brownkind is leading the way in helping us embrace our natural selves. From “Fair & Lovely” to “Radiant & Real,” we are redefining what beauty means for melanin-rich skin.
Our skin is beautiful, resilient, and worthy of care that acknowledges its unique needs. With Brownkind, the future of skincare is bright – for every shade of brown. Let us embrace who we are and become the best versions of ourselves, free from outdated beauty standards.
