How to Care for Black Skin During Winter
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Winter weather can be harsh on black skin and hair, so many of us use protective styles to keep our beautiful hair from drying out. But how many of us do the same for our skin?
As we head into the colder months, it's important to know how to take care of your skin. Our skin becomes more sensitive as the weather gets colder and the air dries. And because the effects of winter are more noticeable on darker skin tones, we need to take extra care to protect ourselves from the harsh winter cold.
If you have black skin, you can do certain things to keep it looking healthy and keep problems from happening. Learning about your skin, how it changes throughout the year, and how different products work can help you create a routine that keeps your skin hydrated and happy.
How Does the Winter Weather Affect Black Skin?
During the wintertime, when your skin is more likely to get dry, it's important to take care of it. Black skin doesn't have as much water, so it is less hydrated.
Black skin also has less of a natural barrier called ceramides. Ceramides are waxy lipids (fatty acids) that make up the top layer of skin. So, black skin often loses more water through the skin's surface than other skin tones.
Winter's lower temperatures and higher humidity levels also make the skin barrier less effective. Even while black skin naturally loses more moisture year-round, this protective barrier worsens in winter.
How Can You Protect Black Skin During Winter?
The best way to take care of your skin in the winter is to eat well since healthy skin starts from the inside. Other ways to take care of your skin in the winter:
- Drink a lot of water. Even in the winter, our skin needs about 1.5 liters of water daily. The cold and the heat don't make your skin look fresh, and they both dry it out. (Crocodile skin, ashy skin). Water is one of the essential nutrients, so it's important to drink it often throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated.
- Having a healthy and well-balanced diet is very important in the winter. Eat a lot of vegetables and fruit because they are full of vitamins and minerals that are important for your skin's glow. Eat protein especially. Your skin is made up of many cells that need protein. Protein also helps your skin stay healthy and firm.
- Eat enough omega-3. Oily fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help dry skin. If you are vegetarian and have trouble getting enough omega-3 in your diet, talk to a dietitian. They can help you find alternatives or supplements that work for you. Flax seeds and chia seeds are good sources.
- In the winter, take showers that are shorter and not as hot. In fact, a long, hot shower with lots of steam and heat can cause dry skin by removing moisture from the skin.
- Moisturizing is key. Without protection, the skin on your hands is very fragile in the winter, especially if you have dark skin. This is because you wash your hands a lot and use household products that can irritate them. To keep your hands soft, you might want to use a specific cream on them several times a day. Cut down on the number of times you wash it. Use soaps and creams with a lot of shea butter.
- Make sure you don't use the same lotion on your face and body. In reality, black skin tends to be dry on the body and mixed or oily on the face. Use moisturizing creams to make a barrier against dryness. A barrier cream gives the skin time to heal and hydrate itself naturally. Use a product with emollient agents in it, like shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, or mango oil (which softens skin). Especially moisturize the parts of your body that don't make oil, like your legs, or you'll end up with crocodile skin.
- Take extra care of your lips. Some adults and children have chapped, cracked, and painful lips in the winter. This is because their lips don't make sebum, which protects them from the cold.
If your lips are dry, don't lick them because the acidity of your saliva will change the hydrolipidic film on your lips. Before you go out, think about putting a balm on your lips to protect them. Then, use it throughout the day. Always have a nourishing lip balm with you. It's best to use shea butter and cocoa butter.
- Like the hands, the face is the most sensitive part of the body in the winter. Don't use tap water to clean your skin. Use a lotion or cleansing milk if you have sensitive skin. Then, use rich, moisturizing creams to nourish your skin deeply.
If you have combination skin that tends to be dry in the winter and oily in the summer, make sure to switch to a more hydrating daytime moisturizer to keep your skin from getting too dry.
- Create a routine. Having a good routine for skin care is the easiest thing you can do to take better care of your skin.
We've put together a step-by-step routine for caring for black skin in the winter.
SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR BLACK SKIN IN WINTER
STEP #1: Cleanse with a Gentle Cleanser
Cleansing the skin is a crucial step in every skincare routine. If you want to keep acne and irritation from happening, you must remove dirt, makeup, and grime from the surface of your skin. Also, the harsh air of winter makes it even more important to choose a gentle cleanser.
Choose cleansers that will clean your skin without messing up the pH levels or the way your skin's barrier works if you have darker skin. It will make your skin feel clean and smooth.
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STEP #2: Use A Toner
After you wash your face, it can be tempting to not use a toner, but in the winter, it's very important to layer good skin care products. After you wash your face, a toner will help restore your skin's pH balance and prepare it for your serum and moisturizer.
Look for a toner that has ingredients like Rosewater and Alpha Hydroxy Acids that will moisturize and balance your skin.
STEP #3: Use A Brightening Serum
Hyperpigmentation and black spots, which can be caused by UV damage or the aftereffects of acne, are more common in those with darker skin tones. The AAD says that people with dark skin get dark spots and patches because they make too much melanin, which gives skin its color.
A Vitamin C serum keeps melanin from getting dull and keeps it shining. It naturally gets rid of dead skin cells and fights free radicals because it has antioxidant properties.
Look for a serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Using hyaluronic acid is like giving your dry skin a big glass of water. It also helps to pull in and hold moisture from the air.
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STEP #4: Put on More Than One Layer of Moisturizer
Keeping dryness, flakes, and irritation at bay during the harsh winter months is as simple as using a rich and ultra-hydrating moisturizer. If you don't know where to start, try to find a formula that has both hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Using this product regularly will help keep your skin from looking pale.
If you've just been using your regular moisturizer, try layering it with a small amount of Facial Shea Butter that locks in moisture. The amount you use will depend on your skin type.
If you are currently drinking enough water but are still experiencing dry skin, try cutting your shower time in half or buying a humidifier for your home or workplace.
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STEP #5: Put on Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Every Day
Sunscreen should be used daily, year-round, even if it doesn't look like the sun is directly touching your skin. UVA and UVB rays don't go away when the seasons change, so protecting your face and body from things like sun spots and premature aging is important.
So, as the last step in taking care of your skin, we suggest you put on sunscreen right away. Afraid of getting a white cast? Try an SPF that is clear and doesn't have any oil in it.
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BLACK SKINCARE TIPS FOR WINTER
WRAPPING IT UP
Since everyone's skin is different, a skincare routine that works for one person might not work for another. As a result, you should tailor your skincare routine to your skin's unique needs and adjust it accordingly whenever your skin's condition changes.
You should always wash, moisturize, and use sunscreen, but you should also evaluate your skin in the winter and the summer and be willing to make adjustments as needed.
Learn more about your skin and how it reacts to different kinds of weather. Also, don't stick to just one skincare routine for winter and one for summer. Some winters are colder and drier, and some summers are more humid.