With skin being the largest organ on the human body, we cannot stress more the importance of keeping it healthy, clean and feeling it's best. Most of the time, besides the mouth, it's your body's first defense against disease and injury.
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So we all try to use different products for our skin, but some products that claim to help our skin are really doing damage to it. Here's what you need to avoid and what you should be putting on your skin:
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Cleansers
What To Avoid: You should refrain from using cleansers containing abrasive ingredients such as alcohol, dyes, propylene glycol, lanolin and fragrances. Such ingredients may lead to irritation of the skin or hyperpigmentation
What To Use: A good skin cleanser rids the skin of dirt, makeup and oil, leaving it clean and refreshed. A cleanser specifically formulated for black skin is best like Neutrogena® Ultra Gentle - Hypoallergenic, Dye-Free Cleanser or Rx For Brown Skin cleanser.
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Also, it is very important to not over-cleanse your skin or cleanse it roughly. Even though you may have impurities on your skin, be sure to use gentle, non-abrasive cloths on your skin. Also tend to go in a gentle circular motion to clean the skin instead of trying to cleanse everything in one wipe.
Toners
What To Avoid: Avoid skin toners containing harmful ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and alcohol.
What To Use: Skin toners give the skin a brighter, livelier appearance and should be applied to the face and neck following the cleansing process. For best results, choose a skin toner like Shea Moisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Toner or...
...the HumiNature Cucumber Mist Toner.
Moisturizers
What To Avoid: Products consisting of retinol or vitamin A should because they rob the skin of moisture.
What To Use: Opt for moisturizers containing "humectrants," or products that draw water to the skin. When choosing a moisturizer, choose one containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone or urea. Alcohol-free and scent-free moisturizes are best since those containing alcohols and perfumes irritate and dry out the skin. Consider products containing natural ingredients including bees wax, soy oil and corn oil such as Olay Regenerist Skin Moisturizer and AMBI Even & Clear moisturizer
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From the Essence.com List of Best Skin Care Products for Black Skin, here are some of the standout:
Lotions:
ERBORIAN Bamboo Matte Lotion, $34, from Sephora.com
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash, $9, from Dove.us
Creams:
OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream SPF 30, $34, from Walmart.com
Masks:
NEUTROGENA Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask, $9, from Neutrogena.com
Lip Balm:
DRUNK ELEPHANT Lippe Balm, $22, Sephora
10 Most Common Skin Rashes On Black Skin
The term rash has no precise meaning but often is used to refer to a wide variety of red skin eruptions. A rash is any inflammatory condition of the skin. Dermatologists have developed various terms to describe skin rashes. The first requirement is to identify a primary, most frequent feature. The configuration of the rash is then described using adjectives such as "circular," "ring-shaped," "linear," and "snake-like." Other characteristics of the rash that are noted include density, color, size, consistency, tenderness, shape, and even temperature.
Finally, the distribution of the rash on the body can be very useful in diagnosis since many skin diseases have a predilection to appear in certain body areas. An accurate diagnosis of a skin rash often requires a doctor or other health care professional.
Here are some of the most common skin rashes and what may be causing them.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a common disorder of childhood that produces red itchy, weeping rashes on the inner aspects of the elbows and in back of the knees as well as the cheeks, neck, wrists, and ankles. It is commonly found in patients who also have asthma and hay fever.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a rash that is brought on either by contact with a specific chemical to which the patient is uniquely allergic or with a substance that directly irritates the skin. Some chemicals are both irritants and allergens. This rash is tends to be weepy and oozy and affects the parts of the skin which have come in direct contact with the offending substance. Common examples of allergic contact dermatitis are poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak (same chemical, different plant) and reactions to costume jewelry containing nickel.
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Heat rash (miliaria)
This skin eruption is caused by the occlusion of sweat ducts during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in infants who are kept too warm. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of acne or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in...
... elbow creases. Treatment involves moving the individual to a cooler environment.
Rashes not caused by infectious organisms like heat rashes, can be treated with over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream for a week or so prior to seeking medical attention. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax) can be helpful in controlling the itching sensation.
Stasis dermatitis
This is a weepy, oozy dermatitis that occurs on the lower legs of individuals who have chronic swelling because of poor circulation in veins.
Psoriasis
This bumpy scaling eruption which does not weep or ooze. Psoriasis tends to occur on the scalp, elbows, and knees. The skin condition produces silvery flakes of skin that scale and fall off.
Hives
These red itchy bumps come on in a sudden fashion and then resolve in about eight hours. They tend to recur frequently. If hives are caused by a drug, that drug should be avoided in the future.
Nummular eczema
This is a weepy, oozy dermatitis that tends to occur as coin-shaped plaques in the wintertime and is associated with very dry skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is the single most common rash affecting adults. It produces a red scaling often itchy eruption that characteristically affects the scalp, forehead, brows, cheeks, and external ears. In infants, it may involve and scalp (cradle cap) and diaper area.
Drug eruptions
Don't rule out certain prescriptions could be making you break out. Certain drugs (like antibiotics) can produce a skin rash as an unwanted side effect. The common appearance is similar to rashes produced by certain common viral infections. On the other hand, drugs may produce a wide variety of other types of rashes.
Perfumes and Fragrances: Unwanted Scents
If you don't have any of the above, perfumes and fragrances may be to blame. This type of allergy is on the rise. But it's not just the stuff you use to smell good. Fragrances that may cause an allergic reaction are found in hundreds of products, including shampoos, soaps, body washes, and household products like room sprays, cleaners, laundry detergents, and dryer sheets. Even products labeled "unscented" can cause contact dermatitis because they may contain a fragrance designed to block unwanted scents. Research has shown that natural oils can also cause allergic reactions. If you're prone to fragrance allergies, look for fragrance-free products.
