Essential Skin Care Tips For Black Men

Photo by Dellon Thomas

Originally Posted On: https://www.dappermane.com/skin-care-tips-black-men/

As a black man, my appearance is a top priority. It takes a lot of work to look good, which can be exhausting. But once you get a good skincare routine in place, it becomes a lot easier. The problem is that most men, including myself, don’t know how to care for their skin properly. Or you might have a grooming routine that isn’t working right. Relax. We’ve got you covered with some of the best black men’s skin care tips around.

Black men face challenges that other ethnicities don’t. You might suffer from dry skin, no matter how much you moisturize. Or you could continuously be getting razor bumps when you shave, which can resemble acne. And a lot of black men suffer from hyperpigmentation, which is when you get dark spots and an uneven skin tone.

It can be frustrating to try looking good when the cards seem stacked against you. But there are some great skincare techniques to help you look good. Before you develop a routine, there are some things you’ll need to figure out first.

The most important thing is which skin type you have. Knowing your type will allow you to customize the products you use. There are five types.

• Normal – not oily, dry, or sensitive
• Dry – skin gets tight and flaky. Also sensitive.
• Oily – you often feel oil on your face, even after washing. You might also have breakouts.
• Sensitive – you get breakouts after being in the sun or using certain products. You end up with bumps, itchy skin, and sensitivity.
• Combination – forehead and nose are oily, but the rest of your face stays dried out

Once you know your skin type, you want to find the right products. Black men have sensitive skin, so it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals and toxins that are in regular store-bought products. Instead, look for products that have natural ingredients. And most black men will either have oily skin or skin that’s too dry.

If you have dry skin, look for cosmetics that contain essential oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, jasmine, or lavender. For oily skin, oils like tea tree oil, lavender, or cedarwood work great. Other ingredients that can keep skin healthy include shea butter, argan oil, or jojoba oil.

Once you’ve found the right products, now it’s time to set up your skincare regiment. You should wash your face twice a day and the rest of your skin once a day. The following black men’s skin care tips are guaranteed to make your skin smooth, clean, and healthy.

The most important aspect of a skincare routine is washing. You’ll also want to exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. Skin toners help get your face extra clean. And don’t forget to moisturize so your skin will be soft to the touch. And if you have a problem with razor bumps, you might need to change your shaving methods.

The first step in your skincare routine should be cleansing. It’s essential to clean your face twice a day: once in the morning and again before bed. If you have oily skin, some experts recommend carrying a small bottle of face wash so you can clean your face midday. But this might not be practical for some of you, depending on your schedule and job.

When washing your body, experts recommend using lukewarm water, limiting your shower time to less than 15 minutes one time a day, and using the right cleanser to keep from drying your skin out. Deodorant soap, which often has perfumes, can be harsh on your skin. Only use this type of soap for your underarms, feet, and genital area.

Natural soap will work for the rest of your body. But not your face. It’s important to use a face wash that’s suitable for your skin type. Cream cleansers work better for sensitive or dry skin; whereas foaming cleansers are better for oily or normal skin.

To wash your face, apply your cleanser and rub your face in small circles with your fingers for 60 seconds. Be sure to get everywhere. This gentle massage will clean your face, as well as help heal any acne breakouts and reduce hyperpigmentation.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re a man and men don’t exfoliate. Well, let me tell you, brother, you should. Your skin sheds dead skin cells at a rapid rate. If you don’t remove these cells, they can become embedded in your pores. Clogged pores can lead to acne, blackheads, and weak hair growth.

If you often experience razor burn after shaving, it could partly be because you aren’t getting your face clean enough. Exfoliating before and after shaving will reduce the appearance of razor bumps, as well as bring any ingrown hairs to the surface.

Exfoliation loosens the hair follicles, which allows the hair to come out easier when shaving. Otherwise, the hair might be tugged free from the force of the razor, which can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. Exfoliating after shaving will prevent the hair from curling back into the skin, which also causes ingrown hair.

For the rest of your body, you only need to exfoliate two to three times a week. You can use an exfoliating scrub or a facial brush but avoid rubbing too hard – especially if you have sensitive skin. Complications that frequently occur from exfoliating too hard or too much are:

• Irritation
• Inflammation
• Puffiness
• Skin damage

Most men have no idea what it means to tone, so allow us to explain. A good toner will finish cleaning your face of any leftover residue from your soap, exfoliant, or shaving soap. It also strips any oils or dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. Keeping your pores clean will reduce acne breakouts.

Another benefit of using a toner is that it shrinks your pores. And it keeps your pH levels balanced, which is a crucial step in keeping your skin properly hydrated. And winner, winner, chicken dinner, it can also prevent ingrown hairs due to the glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acid ingredients.

Although toner is primarily for your face, you can also use it on areas that are prone to breakouts or excessively oily such as your chest, back, neck, and shoulders. Toner should be applied to freshly cleaned and dried skin using a cotton ball or pad. Rub the material across the surface using gentle upward motions, applying everywhere. Let the toner dry, and you’re ready for the final step in your new skincare routine.

As a black man, you’ve probably gotten used to having dried-out skin. But you can fix it by adding a moisturizer to your skincare routine. Not only will your skin be soft, but you’ll also reduce flakes and lose that ashy look. Moisturizing also reduces wrinkles, so you’ll look as young as you feel.

Picking the right moisturizer is as important as choosing your shoes. I may sound like a broken record by now but select a product made of natural ingredients! Your skin will thank you. You would also want to find the right one for your skin type. If you an oily face, look for a moisturizer that’s oil-free or mattifying. For dry skin, it’s better to pick a cream that does not contain alcohol.

You’ll need different moisturizers for different areas such as:

• Face
• Body
• Eyes

The skin around your eyes is more sensitive than the rest of your face, so you need to use a separate moisturizer. Consider using a men’s eye cream that has anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients will help reduce bags under your eyes and any other puffiness around the lids. And it helps get rid of and prevent, wrinkles

You should use a moisturizer on any part of your body that you shave. An alternative to facial moisturizer is to use a moisturizing aftershave, which nourishes the skin and reduces inflammation after shaving. Avoid aftershaves with alcohol or menthol.

For the rest of the body, you can use an AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acid, moisturizer once daily. These moisturizers are made from fruits and other natural ingredients, so they’re great for your skin.

Sun exposure can cause you to age faster than you want, regardless of how dark your skin tone is, so it’s essential to be concise about using SPF. There are face and body moisturizers that contain SPF in them.

If you’re going to be outside for a lot of the day, you should use sunscreen instead. Look for one that has skin hydrating ingredients, as well as zinc oxide. You want a product that has at least SPF 30 – although more won’t hurt.

Once upon a time, we could get away with using a bar of soap to clean from head to toe. But we’re smarter now. We can care about our appearance, and we can spend time on proper grooming without being questioned. Good skincare is no longer just for females. Keep your body looking as sharp as your wardrobe by following these black men’s skin care tips.