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7 Essential Skincare Solutions For Women of Color

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I have tried to find suitable skincare solutions to some of our most common skin disorders & conditions. Working in the industry, I am regularly faced with women of color, who want to look great but have underlying skin conditions, which must be dealt with, to ensure that at grass roots, we maintain a clear & healthy skin. I hope you find my advice & suggestions helpful.

Please note: I am not a party to any affiliated programs of any of the products that I am suggesting.

Melasma is a skin pigmentation complaint that is the result of functional problems associated with the production of melanin pigment in the skin cells. I could talk for ages on treatments & solutions for Melasma, but why try to re-invent the wheel & re-write articles from an expert source that have been put together so well. For cures & treatments of Melasma I am going to direct you to the Melasma Association website. You will find answers to all of your questions regarding Melasma, here.

The First product I suggest for the disguising or camouflaging pigmentation problems is Dermablend. This camouflage product was previously obtainable only on prescription but can now be bought over the counter. It is a 2 Stage Cover & Fix system where stage 1 is a High Coverage Corrective Cream & Stage 2, the Fix, is a Setting Powder that reinforces the Corrective Cream’s hold over 16 hours, without highlighting skin texture irregularities. This really is a must have product for anyone looking for a flawless finish. The cover lasts all day without creating a mask-like, caked result.

Women with brown skin, suffer frequent pigmentation problems induced by prescribed drugs & medications, particularly women of African and Latino descent who may be taking prescription drugs for heart disease, hypertension & diabetes. They may be more prone to hyper pigmentation (dark patches), brought on by various allergic reactions to some of the commonly used medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), phenytoin, antimalarials, amiodarone, antipsychotic drugs, cytotoxic drugs, tetracycline and heavy metals. There are various reactions that take place between certain drugs/medications & melanin. This may lead to pigmentation changes when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

The following skin defects may also be dealt with, by using Dermablend: Post-operative scars, Vitiligo, Angioma, Acne, Rosacea, red patches & pronounced dark patches & hyperpigmentation are skin defects, which are felt by women of color, to be real aesthetic nightmares. Corrective cover can significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering permanent or temporary skin defects, which may be localised or extensive and quite often can be very difficult to come to terms with.

Cursed with abnormal healing of the skin, Women of Color have to endure unsightly scars or Keloids when their skin has been injured. It may heal, leaving different types of scar: level, depressed or slightly raised. Keloidal scarring is large and raised & for these types of injuries, Dermablend is particularly suitable for camouflaging. More information is available at the Dermablend website.

The Second treatment for skincare I would heartily suggest is Even Better Skin Tone Corrector by Clinique. You will look visibly younger when your beautiful brown skin is more evenly toned. Trying to undo the visible evidence of sun damage, dark patches, skin stresses, age spots & even the darkening that follows acne scarring, this serum from Clinique helps to smooth your complexion, giving you a more even skintone. The serum can be layered under moisturiser and make-up, to prime your skin and with regular use; your skin emerges clearer and healthier. Don’t expect miracles, as the serum should be used for at least 28 days as part of your daily routine. You will find all the information you need about Even Better Skin Tone Corrector at the Clinique website.

My Third suggestion is Anti-Blemish Solutions, an anti bacterial treatment by Clinique. Before we can commence any treatments to try to cure our skin disorders we must take a good look at root cause & try to eliminate or reduce potential issues before we undertake any correctional solutions. Healthy eating & lifestyle should be paramount if we are to achieve a healthy skin. Acne outbreaks can be the result of hormonal changes, dietary deficiencies and environmental stress: pollution, drinking, smoking or lifestyle stress.

A Cosmetic-induced pigmentation where melanin producing cells (melanocytes) are destroyed can lead to a skin disorder called Vitiligo. The destruction of these cells results in the appearance of white patches on the skin, in the hair, and on mucous membranes (lips and genitals). Anti-Blemish Solutions is a 3 Step System brimming with extremely effective anti-blemish ingredients delivered in gentle comfortable formulas. Continued treatments with targeted anti-blemish specialist products will help eliminate spots, breakouts and acne.

My Fourth suggestion is another well-known brand Clearasil, been around for years & really stood the test of time. Check out their website for a full range of facial products. Just Google: Clearasil Pimples.

Whichever product you choose, let me say one thing, ” Please, Please, NEVER scrub your face”. Don’t use or try to avoid using, SOAP, as it contains detergents that upset the natural Ph of your skin by removing moisture.

My Fifth suggestion is Redness Solutions by Clinique. This really is an excellent product for dealing with redness of the skin & has received glowing testimonials from the media & satisfied customers. Try this if you are suffering with Acne Rosacea, which quite often, can be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Another company providing natural solutions for Rosacea is Inika. Miranda and Jenni the 2-business partners have years of experience with natural, toxic free products and have been lecturing on the subject for the last 5 years. They set up manufacturing operations in South Australia and created Inika cosmetics, an all-Australian company using quality minerals sourced from the very rocks that are Australia. Their products are available on-line.

Eczema is one of the most common skin problems & is felt to be the second most common skin disease in African-Americans. It is a skin allergy & is often found in asthma sufferers, treatments tend to be steroidal.

My Sixth suggestion is one of the oldest & most successful treatments, Betnovate. This product contains Corticosteroids, with the active ingredient betamethasone valerate, which is a type of medicine used for reducing inflammation. It is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema.

Inflammation of the skin occurs due to irritation, caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful. When applied to the skin it works by helping to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances & helps to reduce swelling, redness and itch. The active ingredient is formulated in a moisturising base that provides an oily layer on the surface of the skin, which then reduces the amount of water evaporating from the surface of the skin. This in turn reduces the dryness, scaling and itching of skin conditions particularly, eczema.

Warning! Overuse of, or long-term use of corticosteroids on large areas of skin, raw skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings & nappies, increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. Always read instructions carefully & if in doubt, consult your GP.

As an asthmatic & eczema sufferer, I can make my Seventh recommend & that is the NEW ‘Comfort On Call’ range from Clinique. This product is an Allergy Tested Relief Cream & really does provide relief in this irritant full world. Using superior barrier restoring ingredients and natural skin comforters, ensure you always keep it on hand. Apply it to your face and wherever else it may be needed. It is brilliant for dry, cracked or easily irritated skins and for those troubled by dryness & chapping brought on by wind and extreme cold. It is suitable for eczema sufferers or those with sensitive skin. Have a read of the reviews on this product, with the introduction of the new Jabara fruit, claimed to contain potent antihistamine properties. Google: Comfort on Call to learn more about this great new range.

Take care of your skin: nurture it. You haven’t got another! Speak Soon. Sam.

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