Darker skin is susceptible to hyperpigmentation, an ashy tone and even sun and UV damage. Women of color should avoid products that contain harsh, drying ingredients or bleaches not suitable for dark skin. Instead, look for products that contain moisturizers, sun protecting agents and spot-correctors to give you a more even complexion. Through consultation with dermatologists and skin care experts, "Essence" and "Allure," lifestyle magazines geared toward African-American women, recommend the best products for women of color.
Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser
A gentle cleanser should be used in the morning and at night to get rid of dead cells, residue and other impurities that can make your skin look dull and clog pores. "Essence" recommends Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser in its list of the best beauty buys for 2009. This cleanser promises to improve the texture and overall appearance of your complexion. It contains coconut to clean your skin and extracts of rosemary, aloe and gentian to help calm it and reduce any irritation. The lavender, sandalwood, rosemary and geranium oils promise to give your skin a pleasant scent while they also work to soothe it. The company notes that this product has been clinically proven to heighten your skin's clarity by 52 percent and help fade dark marks by 34 percent.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen
Though having darker skin provides better protection from UV damage than lighter skin, "Cosmopolitan" notes that it does not make you immune to it. Colored skin can still get the spots, wrinkles and cancers that overexposure to sunlight can cause. To avoid this, "Allure" suggests applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen every day. This sunscreen promises to be safe for sensitive skin and ideal for those who want to prevent skin cancer and hyperpigmentation. It claims to provide high amounts of both UVA and UVB protection with ingredients such as octocrylene, avobenzone and titanium dioxide, and it contains no fragrances of PABAs. The product promises to absorb into your skin without leaving a greasy residue or clogging your pores.
Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub
Regular exfoliation helps slough off the dead skin cells that can lead to an ashy or dull complexion. However, Ling Chan, the creator of LING Skin Care products and Ling Spas in New York City, warns against exfoliating too often or using too many products with strong or irritating ingredients, as they can dehydrate your skin and make problem areas worse. To exfoliate skin gently and moisturize it at the same time, "Essence" recommends using Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub. This product promises to make your skin look more radiant and feel softer without causing excess irritation. The product uses vitamin E to nourish your skin as the rice granules work to naturally help your skin shed dead cells. The scrub contains no perfumes, colors or harsh chemicals, and it claims to be pH balanced to work with your skin and treat it gently.
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