When it comes to youthful skin, black people hit the jackpot. We are born with a natural youth serum in our skin cells, also known as melanin, so while other races spend thousands of dollars a year to get that glow, we just are born with it. Though we try to act like it’s not a big deal, we secretly love when people can’t figure out our age and revel in those moments when celebs like Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union look the same age as their 20 something co-stars.
But even though we hit this genetic jackpot, we still need to tend to our skin. Just like our heart and lungs, our skin is a vital organ and its long-term health is dependent on our daily care. So, yes black don’t crack, but we need to make sure we do our part to keep it that way.
Hydrate
Water is the most important nutrient we put into our bodies and is vital for skin. Ashyness and cracked feet may be signs your skin is thirsty. Drink 8-10 glasses a day to stay hydrated.
Eat Right
Vitamins and minerals important to skin cell growth like vitamin A and selenium, a powerful antioxidant, are found in fruits and veggies. If eating a daily serving is not for you, try veggie packed smoothies and juices.
Gentle Cleansers
Harsh cleansing products, along with overzealous exfoliation, can wear skin out and create premature wrinkles, especially on the face. A gentle cleanser with no detergents or excessive dyes is all your skin needs to stay clean and in perfect health.
Exfoliate
The only way the healthy skin can be seen is if the old skin is removed, so exfoliation is important. Make a homemade body scrub by adding olive oil, course sea salt, and your favorite essential oil or try a hot towel scrub to get the blood flowing.
Moisturize
A good moisturizer adds to and seals in your hydration. A lotion infused with natural oils like coconut or almond oil is great or try the old favorite, shea butter. Be very careful to select a product that matches your skin type – oily, dry or combination.
Sunscreen
No, we cannot skip this step, especially if you plan on spending anything longer than 30 minutes in direct sunlight. In addition to sun damage being one of the top causes of premature aging, the threat of skin cancer is real, even for us.