How to conceal pimples, scars and hyperpigmentation

While skin problems like blemishes, scars and patchy discolorations make no impact on a woman's all-important inner beauty, they can still be a source of grief for those who endure them.

Concealing and treating such skin issues may help an individual look as lovely as she feels.

If the problem is a pimple accompanied by inflammation, it may be best to choose a concealer that has a green tint to it, since the pigment may help to counteract any redness, according to Skincare-News.com. If the blemish is large, look for a skin care product that is thick enough to provide the desired coverage.

To help cover up scars, look for a cream or serum that promotes smoothing, to reduce any uneven texture. Use the product in conjunction with a favorite concealer to help treat scars while hiding them.

The website also recommends using a serum to reduce the appearance of dark spots on black skin beneath foundation. Much like with scars, this will help to fade hyperpigmentation while also evening out skin tone.

AgingSecrets.org reports that vitamin C and skin care products that contain the nutrient may be effective in staving off blemishes and keeping complexions looking healthy.  

Oprah honored with Broadcasters Award during her show's final season

Over the past 25 years, Oprah Winfrey has been hosting her own daytime television show that features a wide array of topics of interest to women - from domestic violence to skin care.

Now, in the last season of her eponymous program, NBC reports that Winfrey will be inducted into the Illinois Broadcasting Association's (IBA) Hall of Fame for maintaining high television standards and gaining an impressive number of dedicated viewers throughout the years.

Dennis Lyle, president of the IBA, said Winfrey is the "epitome of broadcasting excellence," quoted by the source.

Her last show will air on May 25, and is planned to be a surprise even for Winfrey, since producers are keeping the guest list a secret.

Winfrey has become such a force in the media that each book she features for her book club, every skin care product she recommends and every person she interviews soon becomes a household name. While The Oprah Winfrey Show is coming to a close, her fans will still be able to benefit from her advice and entertainment through her television network, website and magazines.  

Anti-aging properties found in tree leaf bud

Research has suggested that skin care products that contain antioxidant-rich ingredients like soy or pomegranate may help to stave off wrinkles and dark spots on black skin that may occur with age.

Now, French scientists have discovered that the leaf bud of the poplar tree may be an effective addition to skin creams that promise anti-aging benefits.

"The collective antioxidant properties and transcriptional effect of this extract suggest potential anti-aging properties which could be utilized in cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations," said study authors.

In a clinical trial on cell cultures, the researchers found that extract from poplar leaf buds appeared to have antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

For some time, compounds found in the plant buds have been used to treat the common cold, sinusitis, sunburns and arthritis. Additionally, propolis, which is found in beehives and derived from poplar buds, has been shown to have similar properties.

Results of this study suggest that skin care products for black women that contain plant-derived antioxidants may be an effective, natural way to prevent fine lines, wrinkles and spots from age.  

Researchers working on topical treatment for melanoma prevention

The melanin that is present in higher concentrations in ethnic skin tones provides a degree of natural protection from the sun. While the most serious type of skin cancer - melanoma - is less likely to occur in African Americans and other individuals with dark complexions, it is most often fatal when it does develop in these populations.

Now, a team of researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have developed a topical treatment which they believe could be effective at preventing melanoma.

The ointment, called ISC-4, works by inhibiting a certain protein that has been associated with the development of serious skin cancers.

The "addition of agents such as ISC-4 to sunscreens, body lotions or creams could have a profound impact on this market for preventing melanoma," said lead researcher Gavin Robertson, Ph.D.

While the study authors report that further research on ISC-4 is needed before it can be marketed and sold, they said that natural compounds found in cruciferous vegetables - like broccoli and Brussels sprouts - also help to inhibit the cancer-causing protein.

In the meantime, African Americans should be sure to wear skin care products for black women that contain sunscreen.