There’s beauty in your blackness.  It’s been more than a decade since I began to write articles about you and your beauty.   At the time, no one was interested in helping you with skin care challenges.  Black skin care or black skin care products weren’t even trending when doing a Google search.

What does that tell you?  You and your skin weren’t even a passing thought. However, since I’m one of you and I love our beauty, it seems to have been destined for me to share my thoughts.  For one thing, I knew that in order to have the glowing, radiant skin, most of us desired, the change would have to come from the inside out.

Let’s face it, every time you ate something that didn’t agree with you, your skin would sound an alarm. You’d end up with breakouts, oiliness, dry patches … some of you would even swell up.  As with a lot of us as African American women, we’re challenged with fibroids.  This meant that I had to get serious about what I ate.  So before it was cool, I had to give up the little bit of meat and all the dairy, I was eating.

Taking a Wholistic Approach to Black Skin Care

When you take a wholistic approach to caring for your skin, you’re including your whole being.  This means, your mind, body and spirit will benefit from your food choices.

Ever notice how certain foods make you sluggish or irritated?   Ever experience migraines after consuming dairy or soy?  When these challenges appear, there’s no way you’re going to find wholeness in your being.

Wholistic beauty means making a lifestyle change.  You’ve determined that you’ll be mindful of what you eat.  You’ll also include some form of movement such as walking, swimming, tai chi or yoga.

You’ll also drink half your body’s weight in water. I probably lost half of you with that one.  Water is crucial to beautiful black skin.  You must be hydrated at all times, or your skin will begin to show dullness.  Ashy, gray, uneven skin tones that make you look older.  You could also experience inflammation.

Nutrition for the Skin You’re In

Since the foods you eat play an important role in the beauty of your skin, it’s only fair to talk about superfoods.  Superfoods are defined as nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.

Berries are always on the list.  They are nutrients rich and a great source of fiber.  Fiber helps keep your digestive system working properly.  Berries are also good for your heart.

Eggs are considered a source of protein, especially for vegetarians.  Egg yolks contain antioxidants that help keep your eyes healthy.

Spinach certainly does a body good.  Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K.  You’ll also find a great source of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin E.  Spinach is a great addition to green drinks and morning smoothies.

Other foods on the list of superfoods are, broccoli, oats, apples, nuts, tea and yogurt. All superfoods are powerful and compliment each other at any given meal.  Find time to search out recipes.  They’ll help you stay on track with nutritious eating for a wholistic approach to your beautiful black skin.

That’s it for this week.  As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel,

Esthetician/Author/Publisher,

Nyraju Skin Care