It takes a concerted effort for any woman to take care of their skin. But as a black woman, it takes a little more effort. Last week, we talked about our hair. This week, we’re going to discuss some best practices for protecting our skin this winter and for the long haul.
Black women must protect their skin all year round.
Clean and Moisturize Daily
The first rule of quality skincare is the cleaning and moisturizing it daily. This may sound basic, but you may be surprised how many people take this for granted. A gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser is needed to clog the pores and reduce breakouts. Because our skin loses moisture quicker than some lighter skin tones, moisturizing is especially vital. Try opting for one that contains humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Also, you can’t go wrong with petroleum Vaseline jelly as an effective moisturizer during this winter.
Wear Sunscreen
One of the biggest misconceptions about black skin is that we don’t need sunscreen as white skin does. Yes, we are less likely to get skin cancer from sun exposure, but we still need to use sunscreen to protect our largest organ. Sunscreen should be applied all year round to all exposed skin. Sun exposure could cause dark spots to develop on black skin. So be sure to load up on moisturizers that contain SPF.
Stay Cool during these Winter Months
I know this sounds a little unusual because most people are inclined to run the water to hotter temperatures during this time. However, I’ve read in this article recently that scalding hot showers must be avoided during the winter months. It even shares a tip about first allowing the shower to run on its hottest setting before switching the temperature down to lukewarm. When doing this, you will be creating a warm, humid environment in your bathroom allowing your skin to not dry out before and after the shower.
Exfoliate from Head to Toe
During the winter months, buttering yourself up is a great way to stay ashy-free. One of my favorite products to use on my skin in doing this is shea butter. Rich body butters like this or coconut oil will help keep your skin smooth all season. Be sure to pay special attention to your hands and feet during your exfoliating.
We as black women must nourish and cherish our largest organ- our skin. If we don’t, nobody else will. In keeping up with this month’s theme, I will discuss how and why we must take care of our bodies and mind.
What are your skincare methods? Let me know how you take care of your skin during the winter and all year round in the comments below. As usual, like or share this post with the next black woman you know.
