| Caring for African-American skin does not | | | | |
| have to be complicated or costly. With the | | | | A skin care routine for African American skin |
| variety of product information available, its | | | | does not have to be elaborate in order to be |
| important to do your own independent research | | | | successful. Dry skin is common for darker |
| before investing in any expensive skin care | | | | skin tones, and there are several successful |
| lines. When choosing African- American | | | | steps to combating dryness. The first is to |
| products, there are several important | | | | drink plenty of water, usually six to eight |
| considerations for creating and maintaining | | | | glasses a day, as this will give the skin a |
| healthy skin. | | | | firmer and more youthful appearance. Shorter |
| | | | showers will also help combat dryness. In |
| For the most part, African-American skin has | | | | addition, using a moisturizer is essential in |
| more similarities than differences to an | | | | keeping skin soft and supple. |
| other type. Because skin is the largest organ | | | | |
| in the human body, it needs the essentials, | | | | A final consideration when evaluating |
| such as fresh food and water, in order to | | | | African-American skin care products is the |
| stay healthy. Effective African- American | | | | inclusion of an effective sunscreen. Although |
| skin care products should have similar | | | | there is more melanin to protect itself, |
| formulations as any other quality product. | | | | skin cancer is still a possibility. Regular |
| | | | use of sunscreen can also help protect |
| The main difference with African-American | | | | against hyper-pigmentation and lead to a more |
| skin is its tendency to hyper-pigmentation. | | | | even skin tone. An SPF of at least 30 for |
| This refers patches of grey or darker | | | | the face and body is recommended. |
| discolorations on the surface. Because | | | | |
| people of color have a higher amount of | | | | By keeping these essentials in mind, you will |
| melanin in their skin, these melanin | | | | be able to make effective decisions about |
| protectors can become discolored over time, | | | | your skin care regimen. African American |
| often because of age, or because of harsh | | | | skin care products are becoming easier to |
| skin care regimens. African-American skin | | | | find and evaluate than ever before. These |
| should be treated gently, and any type of | | | | products can often be expensive, and it pays |
| treatment, such as peels or acne removal, | | | | to educate yourself on the type of products |
| needs to be used with caution, ideally by a | | | | that are appropriate for your skin before |
| qualified professional who specializes in | | | | purchasing. |
| delicate care. | | | | |