Maintaining healthy skin requires daily care. If you are African American, you can use products designed with your skin in mind, as well as those that combat problems commonly faced by people with darker complexions. These problems can include brown spots or an uneven or ashy skin tone. Keep your skin moisturized and protect it from environmental damage.
Use a Nourishing Mask
If you have dry skin, Essence recommends you use a nourishing mask once or twice a week to lessen ashiness and flaking. The magazine suggests Astara Skincare Nourishing Vitamin Mask, which contains proteins, vitamins and botanical extracts that promise to moisturize and hydrate your skin. It claims to soften your skin and restore vibrancy to a dull or ashy tone, as well as lessen signs of aging. Spread a thick layer of this product on your face and neck, and allow it to stay on your skin for five to 20 minutes before washing it off.
Try a Mud Mask
If your skin is oily or acne prone, use a mud mask like AHAVA Purifying Mud Mask for Oily Skin, Essence says. This oil-free mask contains Dead Sea minerals that promise to absorb excess oil, clear out your pores and prevent breakouts. It claims it will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. You should apply this mask on your face once or twice a week, leave it on for two minutes, and rinse it off thoroughly.
Apply an Antioxidant Face Cream
Face creams that contain antioxidants will moisturize your skin and protect it from the damaging effects of the sun and environment. Essence suggests Boots Time Dimensions Rejuvenating Day Moisturizer. This product contains ginseng, apple and vitamins to make your skin feel smoother and suppler. It also claims to minimize fine lines and wrinkles by using peptides to increase your skin's production of collagen and elastin. Use this cream every morning after washing your face. Smooth it onto your face and neck using an upward motion.
Lighten Brown Spots
Brown spots can appear on dark skin due to acne or other types of scarring. To lighten these marks without making your skin tone look splotchy, Cosmopolitan recommends using a lightening cream designed specifically for those with darker skin, like Ambi Fade Cream. This product promises to give you a more even and natural-looking skin tone by reducing the appearance of brown spots and other skin discolorations. To apply the cream, dermatologist Jeanine Downie suggests dabbing it directly on brown spots by using a cotton swab. The cream is available in two formulas: one for oily skin and one for normal skin.
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