9 Tips and Tricks To Keep Your Skin Moisturized and Healthy
The weather is finally warming up and it’s time to show some skin! Here are 9 helpful tips and tricks to help your skin stay moisturized and glowing all summer long!
By: Emily-Ann
The weather is getting warmer and hopefully we will be able to enjoy the warmer months ahead. The weather is finally warming enough to show some skin. That’s right ladies get those wax strips, razors, and whatever else you use to help keep your skin stay glowing.
All that Netflix n’ Chill/pandemic got us ladies feeling fatigue or having cabin fever. Many of us have turned to self-care products to help us get by. I for one miss getting my nails and eyebrows done regularly at the esthetician. I am hoping that this summer will be different but I digress. Let’s get right into it shall we?
Have you ever applied lotion and walked outside, looked down and said “Yikes”. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to help your skin stay moisturized and glowing all summer long.
When you step out the shower pat dry your skin, and while it is still somewhat wet, apply your favorite body lotion. This method will keep your skin moisturized for hours. Rub it in until your skin has absorbed the product.
Using butters instead of lotions may be a better way to go if you are having trouble locking in moisture. I love to stock up on moisturizing butters during the summer months. The reason being is that many companies celebrate the arrival of spring, and summer with great scents that include butters and creams with their line. Using the same line can also help the scent stay with you all day long.
Using exfoliate like sugar rubs/scrubs can help shed your body’s dead skin cells to reveal softer and healthy skin. Please, choose alternatives if you have sensitive skin. Find natural products to decrease your exposure to harmful ingredients, which can build up over time and cause harmful toxins to build in your body. As I am getting older, and dealing with particular issues myself, I am making a huge effort to push for more natural products. If you can buy black that is an added bonus!
Keep in mind in mind that the best moisturizers have humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid in them. These ingredients draw in moisture or keep it locked in as much as possible. Keeping your skin properly nourished is key to glowing melanin skin.
Drinking water is just as important as protecting your skin with moisturizers and shower products. It's connected to so many things our bodies need to thrive and be happy. You can add fresh fruits like strawberries, cucumbers, blueberries, lemons, and limes. This adds a detoxification boost to your water along with health benefits at the same time.
Using warm to cool water when taking showers, and using harsh water like hot water can dry out the skin and appear dull. Hot water strips the natural oils and can cause that itchy, dry, and cracked appearance. Hot water leaves your pores wide open, and susceptible to fill with dirt and oils. This will reduce the occurrence of developing acne not just on the face.
Check your blood work for an in depth look at what is happening on a hormone level. Ask your medical provider to run a hormone test to rule out certain health concerns.
Treat your hyper pigmentation with treatments that are regulated by a governing medical body. Early treatment and consistency is key when treating acne scars.
Use sunscreen protection even if you think you don’t need it. We have to remember that the sun can still cause wrinkles and exposure to harmful sun rays.
I hope this helps and encourages you to do a little experimenting with different methods. Remember to do your homework diligently and be kind to your skin. Remember your skin is the largest organ on your body, yes it’s an organ so take care of it. Share with us any tips you may have that has helped with you. I know our team and readers would love to hear from you all!
Disclaimer: Please consult a doctor before trying any new products or changing dietary recommendations set out by your providers. I am not a healthcare practitioner and I am simply sharing what has worked for me over the years from trial and error.
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The 5 Step Skin Care Regimen Every Black Woman Should Know
Taking care of your skin is a must for black women to allow your melanin to glow! Here is the 5 step skin care regimen that every black woman should know!
When it comes to skin care for black women, the secret to ultimate health and beauty is natural plant based products and simple regiments. Black African Soap and Sea Butter are the two most talked about and recommended products for clearing up dark spots, anti-aging, and dry skin care. Although these products are looked at as the holy grail for darker skin complexions, there are lighter products and self improvements that allow the skin to breath and heal itself through the body's natural process. In this article, I will give a skin care regiment that every black woman should know as well as some helpful life tips that helped me beat acne!
3 Tips That Helped Me Have Clear Skin
#1 Diet and Exercise
Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and in many cases the most under cared for organ. Seems simple enough to drink water and put on lotion, however the skin needs much more TLC. Diet and exercise is a great way to show your skin some tender love and care, and this is because what you put in is what you get out. So eating leafy greens, raw live food, such as veggies, fruits, and foods with seeds will give the body back its natural glow and hydration. Scientists say daily exercise even a simple 30 minute walk everyday will not only get in some good cardio, but your skin will thank you. This is because between moisturizing, washing, scrubbing, and drinking water, your skin does not excrete the harmful bacteria’s that get stuck in your pores. So that’s when exercise comes into play and provides a much faster excreting process. Exercise helps the body force out those toxins that are deeply set into the skin. Leaving you with clear pores with a stronger defense against the breakouts.
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#2 Sanitization
Although working out exceeds the deep dirt and bacteria, protecting your skin and insuring you use clean and sanitized materials when in contact with your skin is another major factor to skin care. Clean hands aren’t just for the kitchen! Before washing my face or even showering I wash my hands thoroughly. This is because with all the things we touch throughout the day, by touching your skin and transferring additional germs this builds up a larger layer of bacteria increasing breakouts. So changing your face towel every week is a safe practice as well as cleaning all facial brushes, and any facial bar soaps be sure to remove residue after washing.
#3 Self Love and Positive Thinking
Lastly, be sure to tap into our inner beauty with positive thinking and stress less situations in your life. Being in a great place mentally and emotionally can reduce the appearance of acne as well. Science shows that women hold emotions in, this can increase health issues, and in turn random pimples appear and increase of feminine hygiene lacks. So starting with your mental health and stability can help with the natural glow and natural beauty that we all possess inside. Below is a face washing regiment that I have used for over 2 years. What this skin care regiment will do is give you a pure look and allow your skin to breath and be at its most healthy state when products are involved!
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The 5 Step Skin Care Regimen Every Black Woman Should Know
Step 1: Drink Water
I always like to start the day with drinking a bottle or 2 of water. This gives your skin a nice awakening from a dormant sleep.
Step 2: Use Warm Water On Your Face
This step is to wash your face with warm water. This opens the pores in your face and allows moisture in while also breaking down any left over product or make-up that was trapped inside.
Step 3: Use A Plant Based Soap
Lather your face with a plant based soap of your choice. My favorite is from a company called “ Exotic Spa and Body” and it’s their “Oatmeal Coconut Facial Bar”. This bar contains cold cut oats and fresh shredded coconut with essential oils from both. The oats act as a calming agent while the coconut acts as the moisturizing agent. The two together act as a moisturizing soap, so you get moisture and cleaning without stripping.
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Step 4: Rinse Your Face With Warm And Cold Water
Rinse your skin with warm water to thoroughly remove product. After, rinse your face again with cold water to shock your pores into closing and locking in all that moisture.
Step 5: Pat Your Face Dry and Apply Oil
Pat your face partially dry with a slight amount of moisture left over. Then apply Vitamin E oil, or JoJoba oil. Either of the two provide natural radiant moisture while allowing the skin to breath throughout the day.
Using this 5 step skin care regimen for black women will give you a new found confidence in your beautifully melanated Skin!
Stay true to yourself and yourself will take care of you! , Yan’ece!
Meet Emily-Ann Brown, contributing writer to 247 Live Culture!