Underrepresentation in Black Skin: Seeing Skin Clearly
In respect to Martin Luther King Day I want to talk about the long-standing lack of equity and representation for African Americans within the skincare industry.
For decades, Black skin has been misunderstood, overlooked, or treated as an afterthought in education, research, and product development. Many of us were told our concerns were “normal,” “genetic,” or something we simply had to live with—without anyone asking the right questions or offering real solutions. Acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma, inflammation, and scarring were often mismanaged because the industry wasn’t built with our skin in mind.
This didn’t happen by accident.
Historically, African Americans were excluded from clinical research. As a result, misinformation became normalized, and many Black clients were left navigating their skin journeys without proper guidance, safe protocols, or culturally competent care.
Research from the American Academy of Dermatology, NIH, and the Skin of Color Society consistently shows that Black skin has been underrepresented in dermatologic research and education—contributing to misdiagnosis and inadequate care.
To illustrate this more clearly, up to 90% of images in older dermatology textbooks showed conditions on white skin only. The impact of that is, conditions like eczema, psoriasis, melanoma, rosacea, and acne were misdiagnosed by practitioners since they were only trained on lighter tones.
As a Black woman, an esthetician, and someone who was once the client searching for answers, this is deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to be told to “just try another product” while nothing addresses the root cause. I know the frustration of not feeling seen by the very systems meant to support healing.
At Air of Earth, my mission is to change that narrative.
Inclusive skincare isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. It means understanding how skin of color responds to inflammation, trauma, hormones, stress, and environment. It means honoring individuality, respecting melanin-rich skin, and providing education rooted in both science and lived experience.
This work matters because everyone deserves access to care that understands them and is personalized to their respective issues at hand.
Love,
Ronicha
Founder, Air of Earth Aesthetics
The Alchemy to Healthy Skin
