Properly caring for African American skin is vital, as it nurtures and enhances its natural radiance, promoting both health and beauty. Maintaining a suitable skincare routine not only helps preserve a youthful appearance but also provides essential nourishment, resulting in healthy, glowing skin.
Effective skin care is crucial for African Americans, given their higher melanin levels. In this article, we delve into the best practices and products that can help to achieve flawless, beautiful African American skin.
Special needs of the african american skin
African American skin exhibits distinct properties compared to lighter skin tones. It boasts abundant collagen, offering protection against visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, skin laxity, and sun damage. However, the surplus of fibroblasts responsible for collagen production can potentially result in scarring and the formation of keloids.
Moreover, individuals with black and darker skin tones have a higher concentration of melanin, which renders them more prone to experiencing skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation, commonly known as dark spots.
Considering the distinct characteristics of African American skin, skin care products must acknowledge and cater to these differences in their formulation. Until recently, the formulation and testing of such products disregarded the specific needs of African American skin entirely. In response to this oversight, EADEM was founded by two women with melanated skin who were determined to create products that address the unique requirements of their community.
What is a good skin care regime for African American skin?
A comprehensive skincare routine consists of five essential steps, faithfully completed both in the morning and at night. Prioritizing a consistent routine increases the efficacy of your skincare regimen. Here are the key products essential for a stellar skincare regimen.
Cleanser
Regular cleansing is crucial to maintain the health and radiance of your skin. With daily exposure to pollution and environmental factors, pores can easily become clogged, leading to acne, especially for those with oily skin or who wear makeup.
Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away your skin’s natural oils. Find an effective option that effortlessly eliminates makeup and dirt, leaving your face feeling refreshed and clean.
Exfoliant
Exfoliation involves removing dead skin cells from the outermost layer of our skin. There are primarily two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants, also known as mechanical exfoliants, are among the most popular. They come in the form of scrubs, brushes, and sponges.Â
On the other hand, chemical exfoliants contain Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) which effectively eliminate dead skin cells and acne. This type of exfoliant comes in the form of lotions, masks and serums.Â
Treatments
Skin treatments offer an effective solution for various skin concerns, such as aging, acne, and eczema. Thoroughly formulated serums, masks, and creams can help to address specific skin issues or disorders. It is crucial to carefully follow the product description as different treatments may have specific instructions for morning or evening use.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers play a vital role in keeping your skin hydrated. They create a protective seal that locks in essential nutrients and moisture while shielding against environmental irritants. Consistent use can enhance the skin barrier, improving its overall health.For optimal results, consider using a lighter moisturizer during the day to maintain hydration and a heavier one at night for extra rejuvenation.
Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is a critical component of any skincare routine, especially for African Americans. Sun exposure can lead to skin discoloration, wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of premature aging. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays that damage the skin’s collagen and elastin—the two components responsible for creating healthy and youthful-looking skin. It also helps reduce inflammation which can cause redness and irritation.
Additionally, wearing sunscreen every day helps protect African Americans from the more serious risks of sun exposure like photosensitivity, and even skin cancer. Therefore, it is essential to wear SPF 30 or greater sunscreen daily to ensure your best defense against the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays while still achieving a beautiful complexion.
How to Take care of African Americans’ skin after 50
African American skin is unique in its aging process due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics play a role in African Americans’ melanin production, which can result in thicker skin that ages more slowly than other skin types.
Additionally, environmental factors such as exposure to the sun’s UV rays, stress, smoking, and an unhealthy diet can contribute to the faster aging of African American skin. African Americans are generally also more prone to hyperpigmentation that can appear as dark patches on the skin, age spots, or discoloration.Â
Due to these factors, wrinkles and other signs of aging are typically less prominent on African American skin compared to other skin types. However, it is still crucial to prioritize skincare as we age.
Avoid over cleansing
As you age, the oil-producing glands responsible for keeping your skin oily during your teens to your early 30s start to dry up. Consequently, there is insufficient oil to lubricate your skin, making it essential to be cautious about the cleansers you use at this stage.
Many facial cleansers available in the market tend to over-cleanse your skin, leading to the removal of natural oil barriers and lipids. EADEM’s gentle cleanser could be the ideal solution for you. Not only does it have a soothing effect, but it also leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
Use a vitamin C Serum.
Including a vitamin C serum in the skincare routine after 50 is a great way to ensure that skin remains healthy and vibrant. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, helps protect the skin from environmental pollutants and can even help reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time. It is also known to boost collagen production which can help improve skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Moreover, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure.Â
Apply Moisturizers
Once you’ve finished cleansing and applying a vitamin C serum, it’s crucial to moisturize your skin for optimal hydration. We highly recommend choosing moisturizers that contain ceramides and peptides, as they effectively lock in moisture and nourish your skin.
Exercise
Regular physical activity helps to boost circulation, increase blood flow and oxygen levels in the body, and reduce inflammation in the body—all of which help to nourish the skin and keep it looking youthful. Exercise also helps to reduce stress, which can cause premature aging and wrinkles.
How to take care of sunburn on african american skin
The African American skin has unique needs when it comes to sunburns. This is due to its darker pigment, which makes the skin more susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The combination of darker skin tone and sunlight can result in increased redness, stinging, itching, and peeling – all signs of a sunburn.
Fortunately, some steps can be taken to reduce the risk of sunburns on African American skin and ensure proper care when one does occur.
Reduce exposure to the sun.
When you notice a skin burn, this should be your initial course of action. Whenever possible, it is advisable to remain indoors, as direct sunlight exacerbates the condition and prevents the healing process. If you must go outdoors, it is recommended to wear fabrics that provide UV protection. This will help optimize your recovery and promote overall well-being.
Cool affected areas and apply moisturizer
Cleansing the face with cold water can help reduce irritation. When cleansing, be careful not to rub or dry the delicate areas around the eyes too vigorously. Instead, gently pat dry, leaving the affected areas slightly moist. Then, apply a moisturizer with a light touch to alleviate dryness.
Our Cloud Cushion moisturizer is fragrance-free and effective in reducing signs of irritation while providing hydration and nourishment to repair sunburned skin.
Use Mineral Sunscreen
Sunscreen plays a vital role in safeguarding the skin against burns. However, it’s important to be cautious about the products we choose. While chemical sunscreens offer protection, they can have adverse effects on the treated areas due to the chemicals used in their formulation.
Instead, we recommend mineral sunscreens enriched with vitamins C, E, and B5. These gentle alternatives are usually free from side effects and can be seamlessly incorporated into your skincare routine to promote faster healing.
