Your Skin Needs Love Too
Black doesn’t crack. Plain and simple, it just doesn’t. The melanin that runs through our veins has allowed us to age backwards and leave experts wondering how they can put this magic in a bottle. We all know they can’t, but they can keep trying. Even though our melanin gives us an advantage in the aging department, it doesn’t excuse us from taking proper care of it. Yes, we have to do our part, and your main focus should always be your face.
I have dealt with acne since I was in my teens. Constant breakouts and scars plagued my face and left me feeling insecure in so many ways. On top of dealing with acne, I dealt with an oily T-zone that had my face looking like I had bathed in grease. I couldn’t win. Thankfully, I visited a dermatologist who was able to prescribe me a medication that actually worked. The tricky thing about acne medications is that while they get rid of the acne, it tends to leave your skin feeling like a bristle pad. My acne was gone but I wasn’t glowing like Sanaa Lathan. Something had to change so I started doing my research.
After several conversations with my friends in a Groupchat and researching (and testing) several products, I finally found a combination that worked for me. What I learned is that the key to good skin is a steady routine for both night and day. As your go throughout your daily schedule, your skin picks up oil and dirt that stays on for long periods on of time. Add makeup to that and you have the perfect storm for pimples and clogged pores. Here’s some tips that I’ve picked up over the years:
Do’s
Establish a daily and nightly routine of washing your face. The routine should include a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Try to include a face mask once a week if you can.
Wash your pillow cases on a regular basis. Dirt and oil hide in the fabric and you don’t want it on your face.
Drink water on a daily basis. It sounds silly but it really does work.
Eat chocolate and drink soda in moderation. Cutting back on acidic things tends to help prevent breakouts.
Don’t’s
Touch your face if your hands are dirty. The dirt on your fingers and underneath your nails helps spread bacteria.
Wash your face with the same towel that you use for your body. Just don’t.
Go to bed with makeup on or rely on a makeup remover wipe only. It may not catch everything.
Share makeup brushes with other people if they haven’t been cleaned. Just another way for bacteria to spread.
I’ve recently gotten into Korean skin care products and they have helped me tremendously in getting control of my skin. If you’re unsure of which products to get started with, I recommend Soko Glam, which is a skin care site that picks out products that cater to your specific needs. It won’t steer you wrong.
I hope these tips prove to be helpful. If a product or a method doesn’t seem like it’s a good fit, continue to research and figure out what works best for you. Every skin type is different and it’s important to find the right combination. Our melanin is our secret ingredient and we have to maintain it by doing our part. I mean, we all want flawless selfies and to look like Angela Bassett one day right?
