Are Acids Safe For Black Skin? We Asked The Experts.

Let’s be honest. The world of skincare can feel like a minefield, especially when you have melanin-rich skin and the risk of irritation, dark spots, and scarring are real. For Black women, chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs often come with a healthy dose of skepticism. And honestly? That hesitation makes perfect sense.

“There is a deep mistrust in the beauty and medical industries due to a lack of inclusion in education around darker skin types,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “Many women have been literally burned by products that weren’t designed with their skin in mind.” Whether it’s a too-harsh peel gone wrong or advice that failed to factor in the nuances of melanin-rich skin, skin trauma is too often a reality for us.

To break down fact from fiction, we called on a panel of top dermatologists who specialize in treating skin of color. Dr. Michelle Henry, Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Dr. Kaveri Karhade, Dr. Raina Bembry, and Dr. Alexis Stephens each offer their candid expertise below. Read on to feel more empowered when it comes to exfoliating acids.

Raina Bembry, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist