Basic skin care facts to keep in mind

 

If you use the best African American skin care products, then you probably did your research before choosing a cosmetic. While it's important to understand what makeup to use to make your skin look  its best, you should also understand some of the basic facts about general skin care.

Recently, FeelgoodStyle.com published an article with some interesting skin care facts that any lady who wants a healthy complexion should know.

First, while drinking water is a good way to hydrate your skin from the inside out, water alone is not enough to truly benefit your skin. You should also be eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, as this nutrient can help keep your skin supple. In fact, The University of Maryland Medical Center states that a sign of omega-3 deficiency is dry skin.

Next, the news source states that while moisturizing is important, moisturizing and exfoliating is the key to eliminating dry skin.

"Think about this, would you add a layer of paint to a cracked wall? Of course not. The paint would peel off in no time...It's a similar principle when treating dry,cracked skin," according to the website.

Finally, the news provider recommends using a humidifier in your room at night during the winter, since your skin is more prone to dehydration in the colder months. 

Why is skin so important?

 

Skin is the largest organ of the body, which is why it's so important to take as good care of it as you would your heart, lungs or other organs. Recently, the Huffington Post ran an article explaining the role of skin and how to properly care for it. Proper treatment of the skin can help stave off the signs of aging and keep you healthier.

First, the news source reported that skin is the protective barrier that keeps all of the harmful pollutants you encounter every day. Furthermore, skin protects and preserves internal fluids and organs.

"Skin is the body's natural heating and air conditioning system. It regulates our temperature, helping us prevent over heating and freezing by maintaining consistent inner body temperature regardless of the outside temperature," according to the news source.

The Mayo Clinic offers a few tips for the best way to take care of your skin. First, wear sunscreen regularly, since a lifetime of sun exposure can cause age spots, wrinkles and increase your chance of getting cancer. Next, don't smoke, since smoking can damage collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity.

Finally, be sure to use the best African American skin care products with added SPF and moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin looking it's best.

Shedding some pounds may improve your complexion

 

While you can use your African American skin care product to hide any pimples you might have, it's best to try and get rid of acne as soon as it rears its ugly head. One thing that young girls who are concerned about their complexion should do is maintain a healthy weight, as USA Today recently reported on a Norwegian study that found that overweight or obese teen girls are more likely to have acne.

"It is possible, but not yet known, that in girls, but not boys, excessive androgens caused by obesity has a greater additive effect on acne," said dermatologist Robert Kirsner, quoted by the news source. He added that the psychological stress that overweight girls may experience could also contribute to skin problems.

The scientists studied more than 3,600 teen girls and discovered that 13 percent had acne. When examining only the obese girls, however, that figure rose to 19 percent.

Discovery Health offers some tips for getting rid of acne. First, try to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible to avoid the oil and dirt from your fingers getting into the pores. Next, the news source recommends washing your face twice a day - no more, no less. Finally, Discovery suggests getting regular exercise to relieve the stress that can cause breakouts.

Look for antioxidant-rich skin care products for a healthy complexion

 

Although women have different skin care needs, most of them can agree that they're looking to do all they can to improve the health of their complexion. According to the website Technorati.com, one of the best things a person can do to protect their skin from the pollution and chemicals that they will encounter in everyday life is to eat foods and use skin care products that contain antioxidants.

The National Institutes of Health state that these substances may protect against "free radicals" that come from environmental exposure. These radicals damage cells and may contribute to heart disease, cancer and other conditions. They can also cause wrinkles and other signs of aging on the skin .

"Look for ingredients such as pomegranate, green tea, and vitamin C [in skin care products]. Topical antioxidants help prevent cellular damage but unfortunately aren’t able to penetrate deep enough to supply the greatest protection making it necessary to feed your skin from the inside as well as from the outside," according to the website.

Luckily, these ingredients can be found in some of the best African American skin care products that can help a lady look her best while keeping the skin healthy. 

Research finds what's most important for women when it comes to cosmetics

 

Why do you choose your African American skin care product? Is it because it matches your skin tone perfectly, or contains antioxidants that have been shown to enhance the health and appearance of your complexion? In September, the Roy Morgan Research Center set out to determine the most important factors that influence New Zealand women when they choose cosmetics.

The researchers found that "getting the most value for the money" was the number-one reason that most women chose a particular makeup product over another. The second most important factor for the women who were surveyed was "quality brand names," followed closely by "sun protection factor (SPF).

"Value for money is a factor likely to be considered important in most consumer buying decisions, and skin care and cosmetic purchases are no exception," said Pip Elliot, client services director of the research center.

The best news to come out of this research was that 54 percent of women understand that it's important to choose a product that contains SPF to protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. It's important to remember that, even in winter, the sun can still damage the skin. 

Your makeup may be affecting how people view your personality

Every woman knows that having the right makeup can help boost their confidence. What they may not realize, however, is that proper cosmetic application may also affect their careers. The Huffington Post reports on a new study that compared the amount of makeup a woman wears to the way she is perceived in the workforce. 

Researchers from Proctor and Gamble took women and photographed them with and without makeup. They then showed the pictures to 149 people and asked them to rate the individuals they saw in the photos in terms of attractiveness, competence, likability and trustworthiness.

Scientists found that lipstick and evenly applied foundation can increase a woman's scores in all four categories, but too much eyeshadow can make someone seem untrustworthy.

"Length of inspection time did not change the effect for competence or attractiveness. However, with longer inspection time, the effect of cosmetics on likability and trust varied by specific makeup looks," said study authors.

These findings suggest that women looking to be respected in the office may want to evaluate their makeup choices. For ethnic women, there are many skin care products for black skin that can easily help them create the perfect workplace look.

 

Have skin allergies? There's an app for that

Nearly 8 million Americans experience dermatitis, a skin condition that can cause itching, redness and swelling. For this population, finding cosmetics that are gentle enough to work with their skin can be nearly impossible.

Recently, a mobile phone and web-based application called Contact Allergen Replacement Database (CARD) was released. This is designed as a tool to help people look up the ingredients in their cosmetics, moisturizers and facial cleansers to see if they could potentially produce an allergic reaction.

"Our goal in making CARD available to patients and providers is to help prevent the need for an unnecessary doctor visit," said James Yiannias, M.D., chair of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and developer of the allergen database.

For ethnic women that may experience this condition, there are a variety of African American skin care products that contain natural ingredients, such as green tea extract, that may not irritate sensitive skin. When in doubt about how a particular substance might affect the you, this tool could serve as a simple way to put your mind at ease.

 

Skin therapist discusses the importance of antioxidants

While many women are looking to get different things out of their cosmetics, most can agree that healthy, clear skin is a worthy goal. For African American women, there are many skin care products for black skin that contain antioxidant extracts, which have been shown to potentially protect skin from the pollutants that come with everyday life.

Recently, skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns discussed the importance of having these natural ingredients present in your makeup and daily life. She also mentioned that even though the summer is ending, it's important to protect yourself against the sun year-round.

"Incorporating antioxidants into your skincare and diet will protect the skin from further damage and can work to reverse some of the damage if used in higher levels," she stated, quoted by MyPure.com.

The expert reminded people that the best way to choose the right product for you is to consult a makeup professional. Reading the ingredients on cosmetics can also help you determine which ones will be the best protection against pollutants and the sun's UV rays. Pomegranate, green tea and soy can be found in many African American skin care products, and are high in antioxidants.

The National Institutes of Health state that antioxidants may protect skin cells from pollutants caused by smoking, radiation and other things that can cause disease. 

Prone to breakouts? The problem may be more than skin deep

Whether your skin is too dry or too oily, it can be difficult to decide what technique may help make improvements. For African American women, there are a variety of skin care products for black skin that can moisturize without causing breakouts and improve the overall look of the skin.

Sometimes cosmetics aren't enough though, and when that happens the problem may be psychological. The Huffington Post offered tips for keeping the skin calm when the mind is all over the place.

First, the news provider said that stress can have a serious impact on skin, so try practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or deep breathing. WebMD calls the connection between emotion and skin psychodermatology, and the medical site agrees that a person's stress levels can affect their appearance.

"A lot of nerve endings are connected to the skin, which wraps around the organs, so as emotions are played out neurologically, they can be expressed through the skin just as stress can be expressed through gastrointestinal symptoms, increased anxiety or hypertension," psychiatrist Karen Mallin told WebMD.

Next, the Post suggested remaining active and keeping a positive attitude. Exercise increases endorphins, which can improve the mood. Keeping optimistic can lower stress levels, and potentially improve the look of the skin. 

Natural extracts may make for better skin care products

Women have many choices when it comes to African American skin care products, but not all cosmetics for black skin are the same. One way to distinguish between the variety of brands on the market is to look at the ingredients and see which products contain natural ingredients, such as soy, pomegranate and green tea.

Recently, makeup artist Sophie Chamings explained the benefits of choosing a makeup with natural ingredients in it.

"Natural ingredients are gentle but extremely powerful and finding the right natural product for someone is like magic," said Chamings.

The expert also mentioned that organic ingredients work naturally with the body to help skin stay clear and moisturized, without drying it out. While other products promise quick fixes to problems such as wrinkles, they may cause damage in the long run by drawing moisture away from the skin.

The website SmartSkinCare.com further explained what natural ingredients can do for the skin. For example, green tea, which can be found in many African American skin care products, has been shown to protect against UV rays from the sun, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Green tea may protect skin from inflammation and sun damage

With so many African American skin care products on the market, it can be difficult to know what separates one from the other. One thing to look for is the ingredients, since many products are filled with chemicals and nothing natural. Skin care products for black skin that contain green tea and pomegranate extracts may be a better choice for keeping skin healthy and looking great.

Researchers believe that green tea can benefit the body, but what about the skin?

"Taken altogether, the evidence certainly suggests that incorporating at least a few cups of green tea every day will positively affect your health," says Diane McKay, PhD, a Tufts University scientist who studies antioxidants, quoted by WebMD.

The Bellingham Herald recently ran an article from RetailMeNot.com stating that green tea may combat acne, infection and inflammation of the skin.

The news provider mentioned that green tea has also been shown to help protect against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Avoiding sun damage is one of the best ways to keep skin from aging, and using cosmetics with green tea extract may be one way to help your skin retain a youthful glow.  

Caffeine may fight against skin cancer

Recently, there has been a variety of natural extracts appearing in cosmetics ingredients. For example, African American women looking to buy skin products for black skin can find many options that contain pomegranate, green tea and soy. Now, a new study has come out that suggests that coffee may also be beneficial for the skin. 

Researchers at Rutgers University believe that caffeine could potentially guard against skin cancer by boosting a protein in the skin. The scientists have suggested that applying caffeine directly to the skin could prevent the damaging effects of UV rays.

"Although it is known that coffee drinking is associated with a decreased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, there now needs to be studies to determine whether topical caffeine inhibits sunlight-induced skin cancer," said Allan Conney, director of the Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research.

Currently, the best method of protecting against skin cancer is still using protective clothing and and sunscreen or cosmetics products with SPF.  

Researchers find an association between vitamin D and skin cancer

As the prevalence of skin cancer continues to rise in the U.S., researchers have been searching to find all of the various factors that contribute to the development of the disease. Anyone, regardless of skin tone, is at risk for this form of cancer.

For ethnic women, there are many skin care products for black skin that contain SPF and can potentially help protect against the sun, and scientists have recently discovered a new factor that may affect a person's likelihood of getting skin cancer.

Recently, researchers have noticed that as a person's vitamin D levels rise, so does their chance of developing skin cancer, though the connection remains inconsistent. Melody J. Eide, M.D., M.P.H., and colleagues from Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, conducted a study among a group of people who had a high risk of eventually getting cancer.

They found that participants who were not deficient in vitamin D appeared to have an increased chance of developing the disorder, even after other factors were considered. According to researchers, more studies need to be conducted to determine if this could lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments of skin cancer.  

Soy extract may minimize the appearance of unwanted facial hair

Over the past few decades, soy has been getting more and more attention for its health benefits. Many skin care products have been advertising soy extract as part of their ingredients, but what exactly can soy to for the skin? An article from CBS discussed the possible benefits of soy for skin care. 

According to the news source, one of the best things that soy can do is get rid of unwanted facial hair, a problem that affects women of all skin types. CBS spoke to dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D., about what soy can do.

"Soy appears to penetrate into the hair shaft, minimizing the thickness of the hair and decreasing its pigment," explains Downie, quoted by the news provider.

According to the Mayo Clinic, soy contains protein and antioxidants, making it a potentially smart choice for health as well as skin care. Ethnic women who are looking to test what soy can do for their skin should consider using African American skin care products that contain soy extract.  

New York's parks are taking a stand against skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer in the U.S., and also one of the most preventable forms of the disease. For ethnic women, using a skin care product for black skin with added SPF for sun protection is one way to possibly lower one's risk of developing the condition.

In New York City new measures are being implemented to help people avoid sun exposure. Thanks to a grant from the American Academy of Dermatology, many of the cities parks will now have shade structures that individuals can sit under and avoid UV rays.

Additionally, structures will come with signs that teach people about the importance of skin care, especially in the summer months. Among the recommendations the sign will make is to wear sunscreen, wear protective clothing and seek shade often.

The Skin Cancer Foundation warns people to seek shade under a structure rather than a tree to ensure they are truly hidden from sun exposure.

Green tea protects the skin while potentially preventing cancer

For years, there have been studies about the benefits of green tea. From its possible cancer protecting abilities to its benefits with weight loss, it's clear that green tea is a unique kind of drink. What many people may not realize is the potential of green tea extract to protect the skin.

According to WebMD, an article published in the Archives of Dermatology found that skin care products that contain green tea extract can be beneficial to the skin.

"Of all the antioxidants known to mankind, the components of green tea are the most potent," said Hasan Mukhtar, PhD, quoted by the medical website. "Antioxidants are those agents which can counteract the effects of oxidant or 'free' radicals."

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that green tea extract has been used to help treat a variety of cancers including breast and skin. The organization reports that they support research to determine all of the potential benefits of green tea.

Ethnic women looking to get some of the benefits of this beverage while giving their skin a healthy glow should consider using African American skin care products with green tea extract. 

Red wine may protect skin against sun damage

Recently, there have been reports regarding grapes and how they can protect the skin with the antioxidants they contain. Now, research is showing that drinking red wine in moderation can not only reduce the risk of skin cancer, but also help protect the skin against sunburn.

CBS news reports that the flavonoids found in red wine help stop the death of skin cells. The compounds work by blocking chemical changes that occur when skin is exposed to the sun.

"This study supports the idea of using these products (red wine) to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation," study director Dr. Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona, quoted by CBS.

The Mayo Clinic states that red wine also contains a compound called resveratrol which has been proven to reduce blood clots and lower "bad" cholesterol.

For years, red wine has been touted as healthy due to the high concentration of antioxidants in the beverage. Ethnic women looking for the skin-protecting benefits of wine without the alcohol should consider using skin care products for black skin with antioxidant extracts such as green tea.  

Snail slime may be the new mud

The first time people heard that taking a bath in mud could help exfoliate the skin, many thought that it was insane. After a few years though, people began paying hundreds of dollars for mud treatments and even buying soaps made out of it. Now, according to MSNBC, there may be an even stranger skin care product on the market - snail slime.

Although still not very popular in the U.S., products containing the guts and slime of snails have been regularly sold in South America and South Korea. Apparently this has been going on since the mid 90's, when people began to notice that handling snails was helping their skin feel softer. MSNBC reports that snails' secretions may protect against UV rays and eliminate dead skin cells.

The PBS program NOVA reported on this subject and claimed that the slime works by being a yield-stress fluid. Meaning that depending on how much pressure is put on it it can act as a liquid or a solid such as glue.

Notready to have a beauty routine that includes slime? That's fine, ethnic women looking to exfoliate and protect their skin against UV rays can use African American skin care products that are already on the market with added SPF and no snail extract.  

Grape compound may protect skin against the sun

For ladies who are interested in protecting their ethnic skin naturally, there may be a new tool in the battle against damage from the sun - grapes. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have found a compound in grapes that may protect against the sun's ultraviolet rays.

These findings add grapes to the list of fruits that contain sun-protecting properties, which also includes pomegranate, found in some skin care products for black skin. The compound, called flavonoid, has already been shown to have other health benefits, particularly for brain health.

These results could lead to the development of new skin care products that contain grape extract.

"This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increasing our understanding of the mechanism by which they act," said researcher Marta Cascante.

Until those products are developed, there are plenty of other natural African American skin care products on the market that contain healthy extracts of fruit and green tea for sun protection. 

How soy can benefit the skin

For years there has been research conducted on the health benefits of soy. Along with being a good source of antioxidants and protein, soy can also be beneficial to the skin.

According the the Mayo Clinic, soy may improve the signs of sun damage to the skin. This includes discoloration, blotchiness and texture. Though more research needs to be conducted, there has also been preliminary evidence that shows that soy may help with skin aging by possibly reducing wrinkles.

The National Institutes of Health reports that a study conducted on hairless mice found that treating the rodents' skin with soy resulted in the skin having a better overall appearance and less wrinkles.

The study states in the conclusion, "it appears that isoflavones (soy) had an anti-aging effect on the UV-damaged hairless mice model."

Though more research needs to be conducted to determine the anti-aging effect that soy has on human skin, these results are promising. Women looking to improve their skin and minimize the appearance of black skin dark spots should consider using an African American skin care products that contains soy.