Last Updated on: September 28, 2022
From cleaning to moisturizing, a regular skincare routine is a must-have for black men.
Actually…
Regardless of age, black guys require a tailored approach to skincare. You cannot just do what everyone else is doing.
Read on, and I will share some of the best skin care tips for black men. Whether you would like to get rid of pimples, cut your oiliness, minimize dark spots, or slow down aging, find out what to do to achieve a natural and youthful glow.
Start By Figuring Out Your Skin Type
Not all black men’s skin care routines are the same. If one product works on your best bud, it does not mean that it will have the same effect on you.
Knowing your skin type makes it easier to determine your skin problems. Consequently, you can identify the best products and ingredients that will work best for your needs.
From your facial cleanser to moisturizer, use only products that are tailored to your specific skin type. Most products will list the skin type it is ideal for, making it easy to narrow down your choices.
Here is a quick overview of the most common skin types:
Normal Skin
Scientifically known as eudermic, it is a well-balanced skin. The skin is not too oily or too dry. You will have minimal pores and no blemishes. To add, your skin is soft and smooth. It also means that you have good blood circulation.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you need to be extra careful about the skincare product that you are using. Certain ingredients can cause dryness, redness, and swelling, among other side effects. More so, external elements like extreme heat and cold can also affect your sensitive skin.
Dry Skin
Black men with dry skin produce less sebum compared to those with normal skin. There are no lipids that retain moisture and create a protective barrier against dirt. It happens when people lose water in the skin, especially because of sweating.
Oily Skin
Excess sebum production makes your skin oily. Several factors can trigger this condition, including genetics, stress, medication, and hormonal imbalance. Men with oily skin have visibly large pores, glossy shine, and thick but pale skin.
Combination Skin
People with combination skin have different skin types on the cheeks and the T-zone. One part of your face can be oily while the other is dry. Guys with this skin type can have large pores, shiny skin, and blackheads.
Fun Fact: Having perfectly smooth skin makes an excellent foundation for growing a beard black men would want to achieve!
Black Male Skin Care Routine
1. Use A Non-Drying Facial Wash
Cleansing is the first step in a black male skin care routine. Ideally, you should do this twice a day – morning and night.
Do not use soap when washing your face. Instead, use a face wash that is specifically formulated for your skin type. It must have neutral and mild cleansers, which will regulate sebum production and combat dryness.
If you have dry skin, your face wash should have ingredients that can provide moisturizing benefits, including aloe vera, shea butter, urea acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.
On the other hand, those with oily skin must choose ingredients that can slow down oil production, such as tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.
2. Exfoliate Gently
Your skin is shedding dead skin rapidly, which calls for exfoliation. Otherwise, dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, which can be a precursor of many problems, such as blackheads, ingrown hair, and acne.
Gentle exfoliation is especially important for a black man with acne-prone skin. The right exfoliant will help manage oil and prevent breakouts.
If you have dry skin, choose a light exfoliant that does not contain abrasives and acids.
The best time to exfoliate is before and after shaving. It will help make your skin smoother and prevent facial hair from curling.
3. Do Not Skip A Moisturizer
Dry skin is one of the most common problems amongst black men, and an effective solution to such is the daily application of a high-quality moisturizer with SPF.
While there is an endless selection of products to use, the best choice is a mattifying moisturizer. It can hydrate your skin without appearing oily.
4. Shield Your Skin From The Sun
Before heading out, applying sunscreen is a must. It protects against the harsh heat of the sun, which can cause many problems, including skin cancer.
Apply sunscreen even on a rainy or cloudy day. The clouds will not block harmful UVA and UVB rays, so you need the right protection.
People with dark skin should use sunscreen that won’t make their faces ashy or chalky. The last thing that you want is to look like a ghost!
5. Shave The Right Way
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, up to 60% of African American men suffer from razor bumps.
Most of the time, it is a result of a poor shaving routine.
One of the best and simplest black men’s skin care tips is to upgrade your razor. A single-blade safety razor is your best choice, which will prevent irritation and bumps.
Additionally, you should use shaving lotion or oil. It provides enough lubrication between the skin and the razor better than shaving creams could.
Fun Fact: If you are the DIY type of person, it will be really easy for you to learn how to sharpen clipper blades at home to help you out with your DIY shaving.
6. Have A Healthy Diet
Even if African American men are using the best or most expensive products, such will be useless if you do not complement it with the right diet. Load up on foods with beneficial vitamins and minerals, and your skin is sure to thank you!
If you want to achieve clear skin, some of the staples in your diet should include tomatoes, kale, olive oil, carrots, chickpeas, dark chocolate, kiwi, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, whole eggs, and fatty fish.
7. Make Lifestyle Changes
Skincare for African American males should go beyond using different products. It entails a lifestyle change beyond your diet.
Regular exercise is a must for healthy skin. It increases oxygen, improves blood circulation, and enhances nutrient delivery.
Reducing water temperature in the shower will also help, especially if you have dry skin.
A good sleep habit is also a must for skin care for black men. Being well-rested improves blood circulation, which has a positive impact on your skin health.
It will also help to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. If you want to enjoy booze, do so in moderation. Or else your skin will suffer in the long term.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best skin care product for black skin?
There are endless skincare products for black men, but if I have to pick only one, it would be Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Wash. It eliminates oil and dirt deep into the pores. Aside from activated charcoal, it also contains jojoba oil, aloe vera oil, and olive oil.
What is a good moisturizer for black skin?
If you are a black man looking for a good moisturizer, I recommend using Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer. It has antioxidants and vitamins that prevent skin aging and shield from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is also specially formulated for all skin types.
What is the best exfoliator for black skin?
The best exfoliator for black skin is Brickell Renewing Face Scrub. It has jojoba seed for removing impurities, Vitamin E for nourishing, and coffee extracts for energizing. It is made using all-organic ingredients.
What is the best toner for African American skin?
The Thayers Facial Toner is the best choice for black men. It is hard to go wrong with this classic, which contains witch hazel and aloe leaf extract. It also has an alcohol-free formula, which makes it great for African American men with sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Skin care for black men requires using products that can address the most common problems in African Americans, including hyperpigmentation, acne, acne scars, melasma, and razor bumps.
Achieving healthy and glowing skin amongst black males is possible by choosing the right skincare products, including the right face wash, exfoliant, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
More than having a black skin care routine, you also need to incorporate various lifestyle changes such as having a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
Are there other skin care tips for black men that you would like to add? Leave a comment below!