Keeping skin care simple may keep it looking healthy

With so many skin care products on the market and leagues of "experts" claiming that they know the secret to perfect skin, it can be difficult to know what methods truly work. The website AfricanAmericanMakeUp.org suggests that women stick to what they know when it comes to cosmetics and keep it simple. Don't try and look like a celebrity by piling makeup on but rather try to go for a simpler, more natural look when using African American skin care products.

Recently, USA Today ran an article on other ways to keep it simple when it comes to skin care.

"You don't need 25 products to have good, clean skin," says dermatologist Karen Nern, M.D., quoted by the news source. "Cleansing your face is not complicated."

The news provider recommended cleaning the face with a basic skin cleanser and water. Try to avoid using products formulated for the body and not for the face. Although there is skin everywhere, the skin on the face should always be cared for in a different way than that on the body. A basic routine that doesn't involve products that make over-the-top claims is the best way to keep skin clean, smooth and healthy looking. 

Fall is coming, time to switch up the makeup

The summer is coming to a close, and for women that means it's time to switch up their skin care routine. As the weather gets colder, skin is at a greater risk of drying out, meaning that it might not be a bad idea for ethnic women to invest in African American skin care products with an added moisturizer. SkinCareNews.com recently offered some tips for fall office makeup that looks both fashionable and professional

First, the website stated that although light moisturizer may have worked in the summer, it's time to go for the heavier creams now that the cold weather is coming. Next, the beauty site recommended using products that contain antioxidant extracts, such as green tea or pomegranate. These healthy ingredients may help protect the skin during the winter months.

Finally, the website reminded women that looking professional can help you get ahead in the professional world. Taking care of your skin is one way that you can show that you take yourself seriously, and others will respect you for it.

` 

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.