Hydration is key to healthy looking skin

You may notice that after a night of indulging on cocktails or consuming salty snacks that your skin doesn't look quite as luminous as it usually does. This is because alcohol and salt tend to deplete the body of moisture, which ultimately shows up on your face.

In order to avoid this, try to consume one glass of water after each cocktail, beer or glass of wine you drink. In addition to making your skin look healthy in the morning, this may prevent you from becoming too intoxicated, thereby helping you save face in a metaphorical sense.

The same goes for when you're having a calorie splurge, either snacking with girlfriends over a movie or eating out at a restaurant. These foods typically contain higher amounts of sodium than you would usually cook with, making them hidden dangers.

It's also important to keep the skin hydrated topically with your favorite African American skin product. These skin creams and potions should contain natural, antioxidant-rich ingredients to nourish and brighten your complexion, as well as fight off the signs of aging.

Dark spots on black skin may be the result of sun exposure

Hyperpigmentation is relatively common, especially among African American women. In fact, it's the reason skin care for black women is often targeted to treat this condition. But what is it, and what causes it?

Well, hyperpigmentation looks like dark, splotchy patches on the skin that are not raised or irritating in any way. The problem is not a serious one, but it can affect a woman's self-esteem.

Perhaps the best way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to stay out of the sun. A study that was published on the American Academy of Family Physicians website reports that hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin responds to the sun's UV rays by producing excess melanosomes, which eventually convert to melanin, a pigment found naturally in the skin to protect it from the sun.

The New Zealand Herald recently published an article on the issue and reported on a skin treatment that uses an array of products and leaves the skin feeling moisturized, but does little to erase spots.

Women looking to even out their skin tone may want to consider trying skin care for black women that contains hyaluronic acid, a gentle ingredient that may help fade dark spots on black skin.

 

Sleep and diet tips to improve skin

 

While there are a lot of African American skin care products that promise to keep your skin looking young as you age, what do you do if your complexion starts to look old before you've even hit your 30s? It's possible that some of your lifestyle habits could be causing your skin to look worn out before it's time. Here are some tips to stop this from happening from WFMZ, a Colorado news source.

First, be sure to get plenty of sleep to improve your skin. Also, you may want to change the position you sleep in at night. For example, if you sleep face-down at night than fluid may collect underneath your eyes. The solution to this is to sleep with your head slightly elevated with multiple pillows. Also, try a cold compress if you wake up with a swollen face.

Next, you may want to your limit sodium intake, because too much salt can cause your body to shift fluids into other spaces, particularly beneath the eyes.

Self Magazine recommends eating strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli and red peppers for a smooth complexion.

Use the right product for your skin

 

When you go out to buy an African American skin care product, it's important that you keep your skin type in mind. This is because different complexions require unique care. For example, you don't want to be using a product that will dry out your skin if it's already flaky, or one that contains a heavy moisturizer if you have an oily complexion.

Recently, The Standard-Examiner, a Texas news source, reported on how to care for your specific skin type. First, for oily skin, the information provider recommends getting a toner, which will help wipe away the dirt and oil that washing may have missed.

Also, while you don't want to use a heavy moisturizer, you do want to use a water-based one if you have oily skin. Discovery Health has some recommendations for finding the right moisturizer for you.

"The best moisturizer for oily skin is one that is lightweight, non-comedogenic (which means it won't clog your pores) and oil-free. Those thick, heavy creams aren't designed with oily skin in mind," according to Discovery.

Finally, The Standard-Examiner discussed dry skin. The news source recommended getting a cream-based cleanser that is made specifically for dry skin. Also, avoid using a toner, as this product may further dry you out.