Dr. Susan Taylor discusses common signs of black skin aging

The National Institutes of Health states that melanin is a natural substance that gives skin its color. Melanin can also help protect the skin from the sun, which can lead to fewer signs of aging. African Americans have more melanin, which can make them look younger and keep skin from having as many wrinkles. This doesn't mean African Americans don't have signs of aging, however, and Dr. Susan Taylor discusses these on the website brownskin.net. 

The first sign of aging Taylor mentioned is skin roughness. As we get older, our skin loses its smooth texture.To combat this, Taylor recommends that African Americans use topical agents that are designed to treat dry, rough skin.

Next, Taylor discussed dermatosis papulosa nigra, which are benign growths that occur in African American skin as it matures. The expert explained that this can happen in both men and women and are caused by a variety of things.

"Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN), a cluster of small seborrheic keratoses, are prominently located on the faces of both African American men and women. They are small, brown or black bumps that are sometimes mistaken for moles. It is felt that a combination of heredity, aging and exposure to the sun are factors in the development of DPNs," said Taylor.

The simplest way to combat many signs of aging is with the right African American skin care product, which can give skin back its youthful, healthy glow.  

When looking for the right foundation, makeup professionals are there to help

African American skin care products have come a long way in the past decades, and there are now more options that ever. While that's great for being able to switch up your routine, it can be difficult to know where to begin with so many choices on the market. Luckily, there are several resources out there that offer tips for how to choose the product that's right for you.

Essortment.com explained the best way to choose foundation for African American skin. First, the site recommended that when looking to find a new product, women should go to the makeup counter and talk to a sales person. They are trained to match unique skin tones to the right makeup and once they match you with the right foundation, it's easier to pick the right color in the future.

The website LoveToKnow.com says that African American women shouldn't be afraid to go bold when it comes to color. Makeup is meant to accentuate a woman's best feature, so while foundation should be applied to the whole face, bronzers and blush can be used to highlight cheekbones. A bright lipstick or eyeshadow can show off eyes and lips. 

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.  

Combining makeup products can help create a natural look

Ethnic women can benefit from using skin care products designed specifically for black skin that keeps their unique tones in mind. The women's magazine Savvy claims that the secret to African American beauty is to understand the skin's undertones. Sometimes, this can mean having to use a variety of products instead of just one.

The beauty news provider said that in order to avoid a chalky-looking complexion, ethnic women may want to consider blending a few different shades of foundation. It can be difficult to find one foundation or concealer that matches a person's exact skin tone, so combining some may be the most effective method to get an even tone.

The website MakeupSense.com offers tips on how to get the most out of foundation. 

The website suggests shaking liquid foundation before using it to get the right texture. It also reminded readers that foundation is not meant to cover major flaws or blemishes and that they shouldn't use concealer along with foundation if trying to create a natural look because it will appear too thick and clumpy.