Discover a five step natural skincare routine for black skin.
Establishing a good skincare routine can help keep black skin bright, smooth and clear. However, finding the best skincare routine and products to use for your skin can be difficult and can take some time to get it right.
If you have black skin, you should avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals and fragrances, as these types of products can cause discolouration and prevent you from having an even skin tone.
It is best to use as natural skincare products as possible to benefit your skin rather than make it look good on the surface. In this post, I’ll share a 5 step natural skincare routine you should follow if you have black skin and how this routine will help replenish your skin.
5 Step Skincare routine for black skin
When it comes to any skincare routine, you don’t want to use too many products as it can be very overpowering for your skin. The different chemicals can be too harsh for your skin, and instead of helping your skin, they can do the opposite, leading to breakouts. If you are going to incorporate new products into your skincare, be aware of the products you are using and the ingredients.
A simple and effective skincare routine is what you’re looking for, and that’s why sticking to these five steps is good for you. Your skincare routine should consist of a cleanser, toner, exfoliator, moisturiser, and SPF.
Cleanse
Cleansing your skin is the most crucial stage of your skincare routine; if you do the bare minimum, this is what you need to do. Cleansing removes the dirt from your skin; it removes make-up, dead skin cells, and all other dirt that builds up. You should cleanse twice a day (morning and night) to make sure your pores are unclogged and prevent skin problems like acne from occurring.
Also, try to get a cleanser that is as natural as possible; this means fragrance-free, free from sulfate, silicons, and other harsh chemicals. Many natural ingredients would be beneficial to your skin, for example, aloe, shea butter, and tea tree. So any cleanser that has these properties is good to use for black skin.
Good cleansers to use for black skin:
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Shea Moisture Clarifying Facial Wash and Scrub
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Exfoliate
After cleansing your face, it is important to exfoliate. Exfoliating removes all dead skin cells from your face and reveals brighter skin by unclogging your pores. Although this is a key stage in your skincare routine, you should only do it once weekly.
Over exfoliating, your face can be too harsh for your skin and can cause damage as it strips the oils from your skin. However, if it is done in the right way, then exfoliating can make your skin much smoother and improve the appearance of your skin.
Exfoliators usually contain a granular substance in them, which helps get into your pores and remove the dirt and dry patches on the skin’s surface. To ensure you are getting the full benefits of an exfoliator, gently exfoliate in circular motions when applying it to your skin. If you are too harsh, it can irritate, so make sure to do this gently for 1 to 2 minutes.
Good exfoliators to use for black skin:
Paul’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Scrub, 2% Salicylic Acid
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
Toner
The next step in your skincare routine should be toning, this is a stage that most people forget or choose to skip, but it is very beneficial to the skin. Toners can tighten your pores, eliminate impurities and rebalance your pH levels.
They also prepare your face for the moisturising stage so that it is ready to soak up the hydration and goodness from it. Toners should be used twice a day, morning and night, to get the best results.
If you are looking for a toner, it is best to get a clarifying toner, as these are the ones that balance out your pH level and calm your skin down after applying a few products.
In toners that are very beneficial to the skin, natural products to look out for are grape seed extract and peach extract. These products are perfect for hydrating the skin, and peach extract are suitable for combatting hyperpigmentation.
Suitable toners to use for black skin:
REN Clean Skincare Face Clarimatte Clarifying Toner
Paul’s Choice Skin Balancing Toner
Origins United States Balancing Tonic
Moisturise
Moisturising is the crucial stage for re-hydrating and smoothing out your skin; it helps maintain your healthy skin cells and prevents irritation to your skin. There are different parts to the moisturising stage; you have moisturises and serums.
Moisturises are usually in cream or gel form, whereas serum is in gel or oil form. Serums have the purpose of providing your skin with a much more concentrated form of a particular ingredient that is directly applied to the skin.
There are different formulas for moisturisers suitable for the different skin types; some may be much lighter than others, and some hold on to moisture more than others because it is suitable to dry and combination skin rather than oily skin.
Serums are very individual to the person; whether you’re looking for something to help with hyperpigmentation, dryness, or skin brightness, each serum has a different purpose. Serums are good to use in your daily skincare routine as they help to rejuvenate your skin and helps with the overall appearance.
Both moisturisers should be applied twice every day, and you should start with the lightest first. Apply the serum to your skin, allow a few minutes to soak into your skin, and then apply your moisturiser.
Good moisturisers to use for black skin:
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Balancing Moisturiser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer
SPF
It is a common myth that people with darker skin tones don’t need to use SPF, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone, no matter their skin tone or age, should be using SPF daily. Even though more melanin protects your skin more from sun damage, it is not enough on its own.
Everyone should use an SPF of 30 minimum each morning; you don’t need to use it in the evening as you won’t be in any sunlight. SPF should always be the last stage of your skincare routine as it is the heaviest product, and it should sit on top of the skin to protect it.
You can use moisturisers with SPF in them; however, they aren’t as effective as using SPF on its own; applying an SPF after all the other products will provide a higher level of protection.
Summary
If you want to have a natural skincare routine, then always know that you can use multiple products on your skin, as each stage has a different purpose, and there isn’t one product that does all. However, if having a natural skincare routine is important to you, make sure you research the products you decide to use, as every product that claims to be natural may not be as natural as you think.
I hope this has helped your understanding of what is beneficial to your skin and how you can give your skin everything it needs. Although I have given you this outline of a natural skincare routine, it is crucial to remember that everyone’s skin is different, and you need to understand your own skin to find out what works best for you.
