Sun exposure in the morning may be less harmful than in the afternoon

Even if you wear African American skin care products with added SPF for protection against UV rays, it's important to limit you exposure to sun. Lets be honest though, it's not possible to stay inside all the time, so it's important to know what time of day the sun is most likely cause harm and lead to skin cancer. 

Now, researchers from the University of North Carolina have found that exposure to UV rays in the morning may be less harmful than other times of day.

"Our research would suggest that restricting sunbathing or visits to the tanning booth to morning hours would reduce the risk of skin cancer in humans," said senior study author Aziz Sancar, M.D., Ph.D.

Scientists believe these results may also suggest that humans have a higher rate of DNA repair in the morning, and are therefore less susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of UV rays early in the day. Researchers plan to continue research to determine if this is true so they can make recommendations for avoiding skin cancer.  

Texas news source offers makeup tips for Latina women

Just because you have the right skin care products for dark skin doesn't mean that you know how to apply it. Recently, Chron.com, the website for the Houston Chronicle, offered some make up tips for Latina women to help you look great for the upcoming holiday season. 

First, the news provider gave step-by-step tips for how to create a "smoky eye" look. First, apply liner above lash, then add dark eyeshadow, such as gray, on the eyelid directly above the lashes. Finally, blend another eyeshadow color, such as blue, into the color on the top lid to create the smoky effect.

Next, Chron spoke to makeup artist Rodolfo Arciga about the right kind of foundation for Latina skin. The expert said that in his opinion, Hispanic women tend to by lighter shade than the one that matches their skin. Latina spokesmodel Joan Smalls offered this suggestion:

"Always have two different shades of foundation - one for when you tan and another for your everyday look," she said, quoted by the news source. Latinas, she added, should "always allow [their] skin to glow."

Latinamakeup.com warns that Hispanic women should always get the foundation that's closest to their skin tone or risk having an unnatural and uneven looking complexion.  

Proper skin care starts with the basics

Most women have their own unique skin care routine, complete with their favorite skin care products for black skin, or whichever cosmetics work best for them. While these products offer an added level of protection against dry or oily skin and every day pollutants, it's important to remember the basics of taking care of your outer layers. 

The Cleveland Clinic states that taking care of skin is important because there are a variety of conditions that can arise if it is ignored, such as dermatitis or skin cancer. The organization suggests using sunscreen, applying moisturizer right after a shower and avoiding over-exposure to tanning beds.

Vanguard News also reported on this topic and said cleansing is the key to proper basic skin care.

"Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it," according to the news source.

Finally, the Cleveland Clinic also recommended that people with dry skin should consider limiting showers to five or 10 minutes, to avoid exposing skin to hot water for too long.  

Websites offer lifestyle tips for a healthy complexion

Skin care can be a complicated process, even if you have the best African American skin care products on the market. With colder weather coming, it's important to know the best ways to keep yourself protected against the fall and winter winds. Along with using the right cosmetics, there are simple lifestyle choices that can help keep skin looking great year-round. 

First, excessive smoking and drinking can damage the skin, according to WebMD.

"Smoking chronically deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients. So some smokers appear pale, while others develop uneven coloring. These changes can begin at a young age," according to the medical news site.

Next, just as your skin needs to be hydrated using moisturizers, keeping your body hydrated can also benefit your complexion. According to Healthy-Skincare.com, water flushes out toxins from the body, which can help get rid of the free radicals that make you look older.

However, the news source stressed that the best cure for dry skin is creams or lotions and that drinking a lot of water will not result in a significant, immediate change