Skincare Tips for People with Black Skin

Skincare Tips for People with Black Skin

Mystic, majestic and luxurious. Or maybe midnight is a more appropriate word to describe the velvety chocolate colored skin. However, as beautiful as it is, it is slightly more complicated compared to lighter skin tones and needs extra love and care to stay in its glorious form. 


Black skin contains more melanin, and is hence more likely to suffer from hyperpigmentation, scarring, razor bumps and melasma compared to its lighter skin counterpart. However, a little research into what needs to be done to keep black skin looking flawless and beautiful can go a long way in helping to manage these and other common black skin problems. 


And today we’re going to be discussing a few skincare tips that people with black skin can incorporate in their everyday routine to keep their skin looking fresh and radiant. 


So keep on reading!


  • Use a gentle cleanser 

It goes without saying that cleansing is the most important step of any and every skincare routine. For black skin it becomes even more important as cleaning ensures the removal of dirt and bacteria which would otherwise wreck havoc on the skin, resulting in acne breakouts. While acne is common in all skin types, post acne scarring is more visible in those with darker skin and trying to keep it from popping up in the first place will help to keep the skin looking brighter and more even.


  • Moisturize daily

According to research, black skin is more prone to drying, resulting in an ashy looking skin tone. It is also more likely to develop skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Hence, moisturizing using a product that contains humectants, such as hyaluronic acid is extremely important for people with black skin to keep it looking supple and hydrated. However, it is important to ensure that the moisturizer one uses is non-comedogenic to prevent clogged pores. The Leovard Multicream is a lightweight, non-sticky yet extremely hydrating moisturizer and can easily become your holy grail. 


  • Don’t skip sunscreen

There’s a misconception that people with black skin don’t need to wear sunscreen, but nothing could be further from the truth. People with dark skin already contain more melanin, and sun exposure could cause dark spots, such as those typical of melasma, to develop on black skin. It could also make the existing spots darker and more visible. Hence, applying an SPF of at least 30 plus is just as important for those with dark skin, whether one is indoors or outdoors. Don’t forget the neck and lips. For the lips we recommend our start product, the Leovard Lip Luster, containing titanium oxide for sun protection and hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumpness. 


  • Treat hyperpigmentation 

Hyperpigmentation is more common in people with dark skin owing to the presence of larger amounts of melanin. Factors such as sun exposure, trauma, injury and heat can result in an overproduction of melanin, resulting in prominent dark patches. Professional treatments work best, however exfoliation and the use of brightening actives such as vitamin C and lactic acid make a noticeable difference as well. More on this coming up next!


  • Exfoliate regularly

One of the benefits of exfoliation is that it helps in the regeneration of skin cells by sloughing away dead skin, in turn revealing softer and smoother looking skin. For people with black skin it could mean a reduced appearance of dark spots, pigmentation and uneven skin.


  • Use products with vitamin C 

Vitamin C is known for its skin brightening properties and the ability to lighten pigmentation, age spots and acne scars. It can impede the production of excessive melanin, giving your dull complexion the brightening it lacks. It also works wonderfully as a spot treatment for dark patches. 


  • Keep ingrown hair at bay 

Black people have thicker hair, making ingrown hair more likely. Not only does it result in uneven and bumpy skin, it can also be painful. Which is why as someone with black skin, you should try to minimize the occurrence of ingrown hair as much as possible. Try using products with tea tree as part of your post shaving routine if you have black skin. We recommend the Leovard Elixir. It is an effective treatment for ingrown hair and not only does it accelerate healing, it wards off infection and works great for prevention, giving your skin a smoother appearance. 


Takeaway

Each person is unique and so is their skin. This means that every person’s skincare routine should also be unique and well-tailored to their skin’s needs. Skincare for people with black skin is therefore going to be different than for those with lighter skin, and the first step to curating one that works best for you is learning about your skin, it’s needs and then going through a process of trial and error to come up with the best solution. 


Leovard skincare solutions, pioneered by Dr. Sheg, a renowned name in the community of people of colour and someone well versed in the needs of black skin, might be worth looking into if you’re unsure of where to start your quest of beautifully flawless and velvety chocolate skin. 




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