Are you neglecting your melanin skincare? Here are some tips and products to make sure you’re caring for your melanated skin in all the most important ways and in every season of the year. I share important tips for general skincare, the benefits of including a retinol product in your routine and specific tips for melanated skin. And don’t miss my easy skincare regimen for dry skin!

Why is Skincare Important?

Skincare is so important, especially after 30. A good skincare routine can help slow the process of aging, it can boost your body confidence, and also get you in the mindset to make other healthy choices and daily habits. As part of a general skincare routine, you should always seek to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Yes, that goes for darker skin tones, too! Taking steps to care for your skin can prevent dangerous cancers and damage to your skin cells.

Correcting skin care issues like cancers, hyper pigmentation and wrinkles is much more expensive than the cost to prevent these issues through daily care.

Skin care in cooler months is especially important. There is less humidity in the air, making skin much more susceptible to dryness. This can increase the appearance of wrinkles and lines and speed up the aging process.

Healthy, hydrated skin is always more plump, youthful and glowing.

What is Retinol and Why Should I Use it?

Though I think my skin is still in pretty good condition for my age, I still want to keep it as supple as I possibly can. My key to this is including retinol in my skincare. If you’ve never heard of retinol, you’ve been missing out! Retinol (Vitamin A) is essential to your skin’s collagen and elastin production which slows as we age. Retinol products also increase the production of new blood vessels for your skin, which helps to improve coloring. With consistent use, you can see improvements in age spots, wrinkles, pore size and rough patches. Retinol works deep beneath the skin’s outer layer to make noticeable changes you’ll definitely appreciate.

I’ve been using the Kiehl’s Retinol Serum and love it. Because retinol can be sensitive for some, Kiehl’s has developed their product in a daily micro dose that’s not as potent. It gets the job done and I have seen really great results in a few lines become less visible.

Retinol products can be especially beneficial for darker skin tones and can help to address several of the skin symptoms below.

How is Melanin Skincare Unique?

In the most basic sense, skin functions the same across all tones and there is much more similarity than difference. But, there are certain conditions those of us with more melanin may experience more frequently or intensely than other skin types that are important to know.

Melanated skin tends to wrinkle less, but discolor more. You’ll want to pay particular attention to hyperpigmentation and dark spots as your skin ages, and put increased effort into protecting your skin from the sun. Use skin care products that promote skin cell turnover to fade dark spots more quickly.

People of color are more likely to have sensitive skin and allergies to benzoyl peroxide and sulfa drugs. If you experience sensitivity, look for products with simple and clean ingredients and that are fragrance free when possible. Continuous use of products that irritate your skin can lead to more hyperpigmentation.

Melanin-rich skin tends to produce more oil which is both good and bad. More oil means more moisture and less wrinkles, but it also means increased susceptibility to acne. Acne may also create dark spots and once again, hyperpigmentation. Be sure to use oils and moisturizers that won’t clog pores. Good moisturization can create a healthy balance in your skin and reduce overproduction of oil.

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My Easy Melanin Skincare Regimen for Dry Skin

It may seem daunting to try to figure out the best products for your melanin skincare routine, but I’ve got you covered. Here’s my easy daily skincare routine and some of my favorite, high quality products.

Remove Makeup

If you’re preparing for your nighttime skincare routine, start by removing any makeup you may have worn during the day. This will provide a fresh base to begin your cleansing process. Be sure to select a makeup remover that’s gentle on skin and can penetrate through every layer.

Here are some of my favorites products and tools:

• Buttah Skincare Cleanser and Moisturizer

• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

• Fenty Skin Fat Water Toner

• Gentle Exfoliating Sponge

• Glow Recipe Watermelon Overnight Mask

• Michael Todd Beauty Antimicrobial Face Cleansing Brush

Cleanse

Once your skin is free of makeup, you’ll need a good deep cleanser that won’t leave your skin dry.

Try:

• Buttah Skincare Cleanser and Moisturizer

• Fenty Skin Cleanser

Mask/Exfoliate (Once or Twice Per Week)

I like to mask and exfoliate every so often to get an even deeper cleanse and rejuvenation. Masks and exfoliants help to strip away dead skin cells, making way for the healthier more vibrant layer beneath. I do limit exfoliation to a couple times a week. Over-exfoliation can irritate your skin so use in moderation. You could technically do a mask everyday depending on what kind, but who’s got time for that! Once or twice a week will do your skin just fine.

Here are some great masks and exfoliants that are great all year for dry skin:

• Insta Natural Exfoliating Glycolic Face Mask & Facial Scrub

• New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask

• Shea Moustire African Black Soap Clarifying Facial Wash and Scrub

Rejuvenate

Skin rejuvenation is a must in any good skin care regimen. This step is where you’ll add back vital minerals, oils and nutrients to your skin. You’ll want to find a good retinol product and Vitamin C Serum to start. One of my favorite products that I use day and night is Kiehl’s retinol. I can’t say enough good things about this item. It has done wonders for my dry skin and will be even more beneficial in cooler months of the year.

You can also try:

• TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

• Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum Vitamin C

• Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Moisturize

The final step in my melanin skincare routine is moisturization! This is so, so important especially in fall and winter. Your moisturizer will not only seal in your rejuvenation products and serums, but it will also keep your skin looking younger and more full. Thirsty skin cells shrink back and make wrinkles and fine lines stand out and appear bigger. And you don’t want that!

Be sure to moisturize your entire body, too. All of your skin deserves love and care.

Here are some great moisturizers to include in any good melanin skincare routine:

• Cantu Skin Therapy Line

• L'Oreal Paris Skincare Collagen Face Moisturizer

• CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer (Fragrance Free)

What Did You Think of These Anti-Aging Melanin Skincare Tips?

I hope you enjoyed these anti-aging melanin skin care tips and my easy skincare regimen for dry skin. Make your skincare a priority and include it as part of your regular self care. When you look your best you feel your best. And healthy skin tops of a healthy mind a body!

If you liked these skincare tips be sure to check out:

• Loving My 4B Hair Type and How I Maintain My Curls

• Rejuvenating Self Care Sunday Ideas to Be Kind to Yourself

• Affirmations for Self-Love You Need to Boost Your Confidence