January 7, 2022
NewsWhen it comes to skincare, there’s one thing that we don’t talk about. Black skin. With the skincare community growing every day online, it’s quickly becoming like other areas of the beauty industry – dominated by white people. The simple truth is that black skin requires its own tender loving care and that what works for paler skin won’t always work for black skin.
In fact, most black women find themselves reading skincare articles and asking, “will that work for me or is it just for white women?”. That’s where this article comes in to help educate us all on black skincare. We’re sharing five things that everyone should know about black skin and how to care for it, including addressing some of the myths and misconceptions around black skin. You can think of this article as the five founding principles that govern the world of black skincare.
One of the first misconceptions that we need to address is the belief that black skin is tougher and more resilient to aggressive treatments. This concept often leads to people trying harsher treatments or not starting with smaller doses of active ingredients. In reality, the opposite is true. As black skin has melanin cells it can become discoloured quicker, making the skin more fragile than most people understand.
With this misconception, people end up damaging their skin by using the wrong treatments. If you’re serious about your skincare journey and caring for black skin, it’s always a good idea to see a professional dermatologist. They’ll be able to give you an overview of your skin and recommend which treatments will be best for you.
Your skin deserves a regime that is tailored just to it – instead of a copy and pasted skincare routine from YouTube. Skip the aggressive treatments unless they’re recommended by a dermatologist to tackle a specific issue and only if it’s suitable for your skin type.
Another misconception is that having black skin means you can’t use certain treatments or ingredients. The skincare world is open to everyone – regardless of complexion. You have to approach skincare with the mindset that every ingredient is available for you, but that doesn’t mean you should use them. You want to choose ingredients and treatments that are tailored to the needs of your skin. For example, you can still enough a chemical peel when you have black skin, but you want to use a lower percentage of the active ingredients.
Skincare is open to everyone; it’s just about finding a way to make it your own. Your skin is just as unique as you are.
Black skin is usually drier than lighter skin due to what occurs below the skin’s surface. It has fewer ceramides in the skin’s upper layers, which act as a protective film to keep your skin hydrated by retaining moisture throughout the day. If you don’t have enough ceramides, your skin will become clinically dry as it loses its moisture and becomes dehydrated.
One of the best pieces of advice that we can give you is that oil shouldn’t be used as a moisturiser. If you’re suffering from dry skin, you need to give it a tall glass of water – and oil doesn’t fit that bill. Hyaluronic acid is your best friend and it’s worthwhile investing in a heavy moisturiser that locks-in hydration and keeps your skin protected.
Laser treatments have come on leaps and bounds in recent years – meaning that black skin can now benefit from the help of lasers without worrying about causing skin damage. It’s always best to speak to your technician ahead of time, but most black women can enjoy laser treatments without the risk of developing hyperpigmentation on their skin.
One product that isn’t promoted to black women enough is the world of injectables, especially in a skincare context. While lip filler can give you bigger lips, it can also add much-needed hydration to diminish the appearance of lips and repair the skin on your lips. If you’re concerned about premature aging or want to get rid of stubborn wrinkles, injectables will always give you better results than anything you can achieve from a traditional skincare product.
Which of these black skincare tips will you be trying out? Tell us about your skincare journey below!
When it comes to your skincare routine, vitamin C is one ingredient that everyone talks about. It’s hyped up just as much as retinol and SPF – making it a superhero for your routine. Vitamin C is one ingredient that brings dozens of benefits for your skin. It’s infused with everything from antioxidants to properties that rejuvenate your skin’s collagen to prevent pigmentation. We’re taking a deep dive into the world of vitamin C to find out everything you need to know about this ingredient.
Healthy, glowing, supple, hydrated skin is definitely the new black! As your body’s largest organ, it is important that you give your skin that extra special TLC and pay attention to the kinds of products you’re using. All through 2021, women (and men) took their skincare into their own hands (literally) and the results have been amazing. We are definitely entering 2022 on a skincare high and thankfully, the trends emerging this year are some that we can definitely get behind!
Beauty trends have all shifted their focus to skincare. After a year of working from home, without a inch of makeup in sight, we’ve come to appreciate being able to give our skin a break. The new ‘beauty standard’ is the idea of a dewy glow. The secret to glass-like skin and obtaining a brighter complexion, is to be consistent with your skincare routine. It’s about more than just using a cleanser and moisturizer. There’s so much more to your skincare than that.
If you’re a Gen Z-er, you’ve likely got a few skincare related questions flying around your head. No worries. We’re here to help. We’re taking a look at the most popular questions that Gen Z have, letting them know which products are worth investing in, and what advice a dermatologist would give them on the most common issues.
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