Black Skin Care Product
Those with African ancestry need to use specific black skin care product for optimum skin health. Black and brown skin contains high amounts of melanin, which gives rise to specific skin characteristics and causes the skin to be more or less prone to certain conditions. African Americans tend to have very sensitive skin and need to choose products that will moisturize and enhance the natural skin tone and beauty.
Common Skin Issues
Black skin is ultra sensitive to skincare products and makeup. The high levels of melanin result in skin that is often oily in the T-zone of the face and dry in all other areas. African American men and women are more prone to skin discoloration, blemishes and other issues, including:
- Acne, caused by excess oils on the skin
- Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps, caused by curly hair turning back into the follicle
- Hyper pigmentation, variations in skin color that may be a result of a minor trauma or abrasive skin treatments leaving darkened areas that may take months or years to fade
- Hypo pigmentation, where skin appears lighter in tone
- Vitiligo, a disease where melanin cells are destroyed, leaving irregular patches of white skin
- Keloids, caused when a scar extends past the actual wound; this is a medical condition that can be very painful and cause physical and emotional stress
- Futcher's Lines, located on the upper arms
Although not as prevalent when compared to other races, African Americans still need to take precautions against skin cancer. The melanin in black and brown skin types often as a natural SPF around 13, offering some protection against UVA and UVB rays. However, sunscreen lotion with a high SPF value should be applied before long periods of direct exposure to the sun. When skin cancer does appear in African Americans, it is often more severe and difficult to treat.
Black Skin Care Product
The best products for African American skin are designed for specific skin type and address and prevent common problems. Ideal products will often utilize one or more natural ingredients such as olive oil, Shea butter, honey, oatmeal and cocoa butter, which are mild and leave skin looking healthy.
A skin care regime should include a daily moisturizer, cleansing and exfoliating products and sun protection. You can purchase products from popular brands such as Black Opal, L'Occitane en Provence, Ambi and Palmer or make your own moisturizers and exfoliates.
Black Opal offers a line of products dedicated to African skin care. Black Opal produces a complexion bar to unclog pores, a mild astringent to control acne breakouts and increase skin clarity and a blemish control gel for nighttime use against breakouts. In addition, these and other products are suited to specific skin types such as oily, dry or combination. Black Opal products are affordable and can be easily purchased at a drugstore or on-line venue.
The black skin care product line by L'Occitane en Provence, ideal for sensitive skin, is made with all natural substances. L'Occitane en Provence produces facial care products, body washes and moisturizers. Specific products include the Honey Harvest Comfort Cleansing Fluid for sensitive face care, an anti-aging soap, Immortelle, and Shea Butter, a gentle moisturizing cold cream. The latter can address dry and/or combination skin, can be used as a daily moisturizer and/or for make-up removal and is mild enough to use on infants and children.
Ambi and Palmer make products that address those specific skin care issues experienced by those of African descent. To decrease blemishes and even out skin tone, Ambi makes a skin lighting cream; the company also produces body wash and complexion bar soap. Palmer offers cocoa butter based products to reduce and prevent stretch marks, moisturize dry skin and is ideal for sensitive, dry and normal skin types. Palmer products include cocoa butter lotions and creams, body wash and a complexion-balancing bar that can be used to cleanse the entire body, including your face.
Some of the best skincare treatments can be made from items in your kitchen. A mild exfoliate, olive oil mixed with sea salt can be gently massaged into the skin. A cucumber and oatmeal mask can soothe irritated skin and smooth dry, cracked areas, leaving skin feeling refreshed. Many homemade skincare recipes can be used alone or in conjunction a store-bought black skin care product.
Summary
Finding the perfect black skin care product for your skin type, that will adequately address any skincare issue(s) you may have, will yield healthy, glowing, beautiful skin. The right product will moisturize your skin, making it feel soft and refreshed; it will treat possible issues such as hyper or hypo pigmentation, blemishes and lines. You can choose to make your own homemade creams and treatments or purchase items from the popular black skin care brands Black Opal, L'Occitane en Provence, Ambi and Palmer.
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