Different skin care routines benefit different skin colors, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This is due to variances in the structure and function of the skin.
Some conditions that people with black skin may experience include:
- acne, which includes pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads
- changes in pigmentation, which causes areas of discoloration
- contact dermatitis, or inflammation that occurs from contact with an irritant or allergen
- eczema, a skin condition that causes itchy, dry, and cracked skin
- seborrheic dermatitis, which appears as scaly patches on the scalp and face
In this article, we cover five top tips to care for black skin.
1. Cleanse and moisturize daily
To keep skin bright and supple, it is best to cleanse and moisturize it daily, ideally right after showering.
Use a gentle cleanser that does not clog the pores. It may be worth looking for one that claims to be “noncomedogenic.”
Massage the cleanser into the skin with clean fingertips, then rinse it off with warm (not hot) water and pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Some research suggests that black skin loses moisture quicker than some lighter skin tones.
To avoid this, and to prevent the skin from looking ashy, apply a daily moisturizer that contains humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Humectants retain moisture in the skin.
People can purchase moisturizers containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid online.
A highly effective moisturizer is petroleum jelly (Vaseline). However, people should take care when applying thick products such as this to the face, as they may cause acne. Be sure that they are noncomedogenic before applying.
Avoid moisturizers with fragrances, as these can irritate some people’s skin. Moisturizers that include creams or ointments are preferable to lotions. Read more…
