You may have seen him on BET’s College Hill, on E!’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians alongside a close friend Malika Haqqor plays the role of Percy on Bounce TV’s In the Cut, but he’s making a special appearance for NYC fans this week, bringing with him his famous skincare products.
Dorion Renaud, Founder of Buttah Skin, will be in New York City for two special appearances at the Allure Store on Wednesday, December 14th and at Macy’s Herald Square on Friday, December 16th for a meet and greet. Visitors to NYC are invited to join Renaud in celebrating the launch of Buttah Skin and this season’s holiday offerings.
As previously presented by BLACK COMPANY, Renaud is an actor, model and entrepreneur with a skincare journey that began at a young age. We got a chance to catch up with the man behind the fast-growing skincare line to get some tips to help men and women take care of their melanin-rich skin tones this winter.
Why should people make Buttah Skin a part of their winter skincare routine?
Buttah Skin products target dryness, discoloration, oiliness and blemishes.
“Hydration is key with the weather changes, especially in the colder months. We’ve got an incredible customizable three-step kit that includes a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum and a selection of moisturizers – the CocoShea cream helps protect skin from the elements and drastic weather changes, and the oil-free gel -Cream is perfect for oily combination skin to help hydrate skin at this time of year.”
Renaud recommends using a moisturizing mist before sealing it with a good moisturizer or sunscreen. This step provides an extra layer of protection for the skin.
“Even if the sun doesn’t shine every day, sunscreen is still important for skin protection!”
Why is it important to use natural and organic skin care products?
“I think it’s important for us to use more natural and organic products because it’s just better for you and less harsh on your skin. At Buttah Skin, we like to keep it simple with gentle products formulated for protection, shine and hydration.”
Buttah Skin products are clinically validated, cruelty-free, and combine naturally-sourced ingredients with high-tech formulations.
What is Buttah Skin’s message to black men?
“I think it’s important that Black men embrace skincare in general – something I hoped we could achieve at Buttah with the look and feel of our product. When I started the company, I received DMs from other men who were embarrassed to ask me questions about caring for their skin. I want black men to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of – you should be proud of your looks and want to protect them.”
“I hope black men just feel proud when they look at themselves in the mirror and feel good about engaging in their own self-care practices. My goal is to help us debunk myths that skincare is somehow effeminate or negates your sexuality.”
“Skin care and self-care is everyone’s business.”
What’s next for Buttah Skin?
Renaud says there is much to look forward to in the future of Buttah Skin, including new product launches and expansion into more retail locations.
He can be seen alongside him in Buttah Skin’s recent Macy’s holiday campaign Sevyn Streeter, Alice Bella and AsiaCollins.
(Image: Courtesy of Newhouse PR)
Renaud has been featured in press outlets such as Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Essence, Forbes, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and others. The brand has also caught the attention of celebrities Beyonce, Amber Riley, Nina Parker, Keri Hilson, 2chainand more.
He has recently appeared in the HBO Max documentary The Beauty of Blackness, as well as Women’s Wear Daily, New York Magazine, Ebony, InStyle, PopSugar, The Los Angeles Times, The Breakfast Club, Byrdie, and The Root. He also appeared in the COLLEGE HILL: CELEBRITY EDITION reboot airing on BET+.
More about the man behind the line
“I’m originally from Beaumont, Texas, and my entrepreneurial journey started at home. My father owns and runs a hair salon and shoe repair shop in my hometown. Looking back, it was also my first encounter with self-care, particularly in the black community. I started working in the store when I was eight years old and learned everything about the business, including working at the cash register. That foundation laid the groundwork for me to become an entrepreneur later in life.
“Like most teenagers, my skin started to change when I hit puberty. A lot of the products that came out back then didn’t really work well on my skin. When I did reality TV and started modeling and acting, I noticed that using harsh studio makeup would break my skin. When I was 19 or 20 and modeling in NYC, a photographer told me to take some shea butter with me on the way to a shoot. I started using this along with a gentle cleanser and an expensive vitamin C serum that was suggested to me and I couldn’t afford it at the time. Over time, my skin began to clear up on its own. I also started throwing skincare parties in LA and inviting my celebrity friends, which eventually led me to meet my business partner who would help me launch Buttah Skin in 2018.
“Buttah is from my childhood down south. I always heard Buttah as a compliment – “His skin looks like Buttah” or “It’s Buttah baby”. It was a name I knew would resonate with the black community. It was a name I knew, if people saw it on the shelves they would know it was made for them.”