Are you a dark skin person? Black American or typically African? Then this guide on the best skin care tips for African Americans is for you.
Today I am going to share with you guys some hidden details about black skin care. These are tips I have been working on for quite some time now and I took time out to get my facts right on point before sharing them with you.
So hold on tight as I walk you through these tips on skin care for African Americans or typically Africans (dark skin in general).
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Advantages of Dark Skin
Permit me to announce to you that there is every reason for you to be grateful for having dark skin.
Ask me why!
Because people with dark skin wrinkle less. This is because their skin pigment protects them from the sun unless you are being wild and reckless under the sun of course. In addition to that, they age better in general because their skin is inherently thicker. There are still some downsides to that though.
Dark Skin Downsides
In the general nut shed, dark skin is sensitive to potentially irritating ingredients. Most especially prescription strength, steroids, and acid. Dark skin, if over-irritated, those places of irritation will turn darker. This means that you have to be extra cautious of irritants when you treat your skin.
Seeing a dermatologist for your skin care is a better idea but before you do so if you have chosen to, make sure you do your homework. What do I mean by that? Make to find a doctor who is not just specialized but also has experience in dealing with dark skin. Oh yes, that is it. This is because dark skin is way less tolerant of professional resurfacing procedures such as:
- Acid Peels.
- Aggressive Microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion is a procedure used to renew skin tone and texture in general on a minimally invasive base.
It can help to improve the appearance of: –
- Sun Damage
- Wrinkles
- Fine Lines
- Age Spots
- Acne Scarring
- Melasma
And Other Skin Related Issues and Concerns
Okay, so that was to give you a clearer picture of Microdermabrasion.
Now, let’s carry on.
So, as I was saying, the doctor has to be more careful and I mean extra careful in performing this procedure. This is because, if not well performed, the patient may have hyperpigmentation that may likely end up being permanent.
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Dark Skin Changes
For people with dark or black skin, their skin tone is quite a challenging process. It has never from creation been simple for them to even out their color. So, I advise you not to believe anyone who says it can easily be removed by lie acid peels or microdermabrasion. I want to make it clear here that a poor home care microdermabrasion cream can worsen those dark spots on your skin and even make them darker.
Oh yeah, that’s right.
I have witnessed that in so many cases and believe me, it was a bad experience. So frustrating and disappointing. Sometimes they will claim that with sufficient scrubbing, they can lighten and even out your skin color – Hey – be very cautious!
It has never been a simple process because there is something on the skin called Melanocytes, these are the pigment-producing cells. When these cells are accumulated on the skin, they become responsible for dark spots.
So, these cells are deeply seated in the skin and cannot be removed as easily as possible. Even with a professional skin treatment at the doctor’s office, the process of microdermabrasion should be delicately applied as well.
This is because if the technician uses the microdermabrasion machine on dark skin harder than is required, the skin gets irritated and further turns darker than before. You don’t want that, I know for a fact. So, keep this treatment and tips in mind because you will need them some time ahead to help save your skin condition.
Recommendation
Get yourself a dermatologist (that is if you have decided to get one for yourself) who is qualified and has experience dealing with black skin. In addition to that, we recommend you use natural skincare products. However, it is better to have fewer but natural and good quality products with very active ingredients that will hydrate, moisturize and fit your skin.
Your Skin Is the Body’s Guardian Angel
Guardian because it is always there doing the job and Angel because you don’t see the action but you can see the result. You always have to appreciate your skin because it is always under attack from external forces like wind, ultraviolet rays, temperature extremes, microorganisms, and chemical exposures.
- It does two things at a time.
- It Retains Water in The Body.
It Also Acts as A Barrier That Prevents Too Much Water from Coming In’
What a blessing to mankind!
So, I advise you to assess your skin always at least three times a week. Focus more on your face, your arm, and your leg. Do not let them stay dry. Moisturize them always to help your skin texture, and elasticity and keep it from forming lines and wrinkles at an early stage.
About Diet
In addition to all we have discussed, I also want to spell out here that, it is always important to take diet very seriously during a skincare regimen. I highly recommend that you adjust your diet by including some more anti-inflammatory foods in it. I advise you to go for foods like dark green vegetables and fruits. You can also consider taking food supplements like: –
- Selenium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
All these will help in an inflammatory decrease in your body.
3 Best Skin Care Tips for African Americans
1. Develop a Skin Care Routine
Both before bed and in the morning, always wash your face:
Washing your face in the morning helps to remove any oils and dead cells on the skin that have accumulated over the night. And washing your face once more at night helps to get rid of any makeup, oil, dirt, or grime that can clog your pores and result in acne while you’re sleeping.
Choose skin a care product(s) that matches your skin type. When washing your face, you could use a foamy cleanser and a mild moisturizer, for example, if your skin is prone to become oily over the day.
Recommended Foaming Cleanser: Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
The Caudalie-forming cleanser won’t dry out your skin and is excellent for persons with acne. Additionally, it has plenty of antioxidants, so your skin won’t feel as dry as with other acne face cleansers.
Recommended mild moisturizer: Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
This highly praised moisturizer simply works and is inexpensive and non-irritating. Contains hyaluronic acid, and has a remarkable capacity to hold water and hydrate the skin for a long time.
Apply a moisturizing moisturizer after each skin-cleansing session:
Even while everyone can use a nice moisturizer, African American skin is particularly susceptible to dry skin. To acquire attractive African American skin, it’s crucial to use a lotion with caution. You can use different moisturizers for your body and face. Choose a product for your face that indicates it’s non-comedogenic because it will be less prone to clog the pores.
Apply a cream-based (Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Daily Formula Lotion) or an oil-based lotion (Coconut Oil) at night if you have dry skin. Moisturizers for the evening are often heavier than those during the morning. Use them in addition to a typical daytime product instead because they might contain ingredients like retinol that might make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
When you shower, avoid using hot water:
Anytime you take a shower or a bath, use lukewarm water. Although really hot water can be relaxing on the muscles, it can also deplete your skin with its natural oils. Your skin may feel tight and painful as a result, and it may eventually develop dryness and cracks. Additionally, to prevent your skin from drying out, try to limit your showers to 5 to 10 minutes.
Pick a mild body soap:
Look for soaps with the words “gentle or soft” or “for sensitive prone skin” on the label. Your skin may get dry after using harsh cleansers, necessitating the use of additional moisturizers to prevent this. Select a soap with additional moisturizers for even skin hydration.
Dry off using a towel:
After getting out of the shower, rubbing the skin with a cloth or towel will only aggravate and dry it out. To maintain your skin’s softness and healthiness, gently blot it dry with a towel. Additionally, pick a fluffy towel with adequate absorbency as opposed to a harsh, threadbare towel that forces you to rub your skin more frequently.
Choose the proper makeup that soothes your skin type:
If you belong to the group of African Americans with oily skin and wider pores, you must choose cosmetics that are designed for it. The ability to absorb oil when you are applying matte finish makeup makes it a wonderful choice. Meanwhile, if you are prone to drier skin, you should avoid matte foundation and opt for a heavier option. Choose something creamy instead.
Ensure sun protection for your skin:
The sun might still harm your complexion over time, even if you have darker skin, so protecting the skin can help it stay healthy and beautiful. Use sunscreen every day that blocks UVA/UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 30. Additionally, look for one that can withstand water in case you perspire on it. You must also reapply it after swimming, perspiring, or drying off your skin, or every two hours.
Additionally:
- Wear clothing with a tight weave over your skin if you’re planning to be outside in the sun, and protect your face with a hat and sunglasses. Even clothes with incorporated skin protection are available.
- When the sun’s rays are at their fiercest, between 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., try to stay indoors as much as you can. If you must go outside, seek shelter or carry an umbrella.
- Don’t let the clouds deceive you. Even on cloudy days, you might still catch harmful UV radiation. Additionally, light materials like snow, pavement and anything painted white or light in color can reflect the sun.
You may wonder how to protect your lips. Well, the best thing to do is to get a sunscreen lip balm and use it!
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2. Maintaining a Healthful Lifestyle
Drink a lot of water all day long:
Your skin will also be dehydrated if you are, and if it becomes too dry, it may turn ashy. Women require approximately 2,700 mL (11.5 cups) of water per day, whereas men require approximately 3,700 mL (15.5 cups ). However, a general rule of thumb is always to consume enough water to prevent daytime thirst. Beverages such as juice and tea can contribute to your daily water requirement, but you should be mindful that juice might contain empty calories.
Try bringing a reusable water bottle with you and filling it up whenever you have a chance if you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day. To ensure that your water is more refreshing, try adding pieces of fruits and vegetables like grapefruit, oranges, and cucumbers.
Always consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables:
The key to having beautiful skin is to ensure that your food contains all the necessary nutrients. At every meal, remember to incorporate fruits and vegetables. Eat whole grains, low-fat dairy, almonds, avocados, fish, and lean proteins like chicken and fish in addition. Avoid foods like chips, sodas, sweets, fast food, and fried foods that are heavy in sugar, fats, and processed carbohydrates.
A good diet can also aid in the prevention of acne!
Stop smoking:
It can be quite difficult to quit smoking, but you should do it if you want to achieve healthy skin. Your skin gets less oxygen when you smoke. As a result, your skin cells receive fewer nutrients, which might lead to additional wrinkles and creases. Speak with your doctor and solicit support from friends and family if you need assistance quitting.
Maintaining stress control:
Stress can impact your health, but you might not be aware that it can also impact your skin. For example, stress can result in facial acne breakouts, which can leave scars.
- Learning to say “no” once you have enough on your plate is one way to reduce stress. It’s acceptable to decline an invitation to a school bake sale if you’re balancing a demanding home situation and a new work.
- Engage in enjoyable pastimes to help you relax. Make out time for some of the things you enjoy, whether you prefer to paint, bowl, or watch movies.
- When you’re feeling stressed out, try focusing on deep breathing. Take some time to find a calm location. Concentrate on your breathing while closing your eyes. Slowly inhale while mentally counting to four. then exhale and count backward from 4 again. Continue doing it until your anxiety subside.
Every night, get a good night’s sleep:
Sleep is important for many reasons, but it may also impact the health of your skin. This is because sleep aids in restoring the fluid equilibrium in your body, which is necessary for having healthy, radiant skin. Additionally, obtaining enough sleep can make it easier for you to deal with stress, which can have an impact on your skin.
To prevent dry skin, increase the moisture level in your home:
Making your environment more humid can help prevent your skin from becoming dry and ashy if you struggle with dry skin. To benefit from more humid air, think about putting a humidifier in your bedroom. Although this can be done all year long, the dry winter months are the best time to get the most benefit out of it.
3. Managing Particular Skin Issues
To avoid scars from acne, treat it right away:
When you get a bump, you could experience more irritation if you are a darker skin person and are prone to acne. You should try to treat your acne as immediately you notice a breakout to help lessen the impact because that can ultimately result in dark marks and scarring.
- Begin by applying topical creams, such as those containing antibiotics, retinoids, or benzoyl peroxide, though benzoyl peroxide can irritate. Consult your doctor about the best course of treatment for you.
- If your acne is especially bad, talk to your doctor immediately about an oral medication like Accutane or antibiotics.
- If you want to use other skincare products on your acne, consult your doctor or dermatologist. For example, some foundations include ingredients like salicylic acid as a means of treating and preventing breakouts.
To avoid razor bumps, shave in the pattern of your hair: The pattern that it is growing to prevent obtaining irritating, uncomfortable razor bumps. Because the hair of African Americans tends to be curly, if it is shaved too short, the hair tip may regrow into the skin.
Razor bumps can also be lessened by switching to a safety razor and then shaving just every other day rather than every day. If you do experience razor bumps, your doctor may recommend topical ointments like a topical antibiotic gel or glycolic acid lotion. Shaving less frequently while the hair grows out can also be helpful.
Exfoliate to help avoid acne scarring and hyperpigmentation: Hyper-pigmentation, which simply refers to blotchy skin, is widespread among African Americans. Acne and pimples can leave behind darker spots. Using an exfoliation, like a chemical exfoliant containing alpha or beta hydroxy, is one technique to handle this problem.
Rub the exfoliant gently onto your skin before rinsing it off. A physical exfoliator such as exfoliating gloves or a simple washcloth is an additional choice. Simply use circular motions to gently rub your damp skin all over your body.
Conclusion
Developing a proper skin care regimen is one of the best skin care tips for African Americans. It can aid in maintaining the radiance, suppleness, and clarity of black skin. People with black skin should strive to stay away from products with harsh chemicals and scents in addition to maintaining a mild daily routine and adopting a healthy diet.
Experts advise everyone to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day to avoid the development and progression of dark spots as well as other serious health skin health issues including skin cancer.