African American skin naturally has a higher level of sun protection but the sun can still cause havoc on your skin, zapping up moisture and making it appear dry and cracked. Not only that, dryness on dark skin can make it look ashy.  So it’s important in African American skin care to keep your skin hydrated. Here are some quick moisturizing tips:

The best time to apply a moisturizing lotion or body butter is immediately after bathing, especially if you use hot water in your shower or bath. We’ve talked about water temperature before but some of you wrote and told me that you must have your hot bath.  OK.

The warmth of the water eliminates moisture from your skin so you need to restore that moisture. After bathing, your skin is still damp so when you apply a moisturizer it will lock in the water on your skin.

It’s also important in African American skin care to moisturize your skin all throughout the day whether you work outdoors or in an office. Exposure to weather elements and the air coming from air conditioners dry out your skin, so having a moisturizer handy is a good idea. That way, you can start moisturizing your skin as soon as you see or feel it becoming dry.

An important tip in general for African American skin care,  is to look for skin moisturizers that are suitable to your skin type. Avoid products that contain alcohol because they have a tendency to dry out black skin.

Moisturizers that contain vitamin E, cocoa or shea butter are popular among black women because these ingredients are very effective in hydrating your skin and giving dark skin a nice, healthy glow.

Also, always consider your skin type when buying moisturizers or any black skin care product. Doing so will ensure that the product will work for you and will not cause any side effects. For instance, for oily skin, use only oil-free lotions or creams. It is a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizing. It does but the secret is using non-comedogenic products which will not clog your pores.

If you have sensitive skin, there are many gentle moisturizers out there. Look for a fragrance-free lotion and always pay attention to possible allergens in the ingredients. If you have really dry skin, choose an oil-based moisturizer to nourish your skin.

Also, go for fragrance-free products because fragrances are chemicals that can make skin drier unless that fragrance is from an essential oil. You should moisturize more often if you have extremely dry skin.

If you have normal skin, you can get away with moisturizing less often than someone with dry skin but it doesn’t mean you should remove it from your daily regimen. Remember, all skin types need moisturizing. Having well-nourished and supple beautiful black skin is well worth the effort.

Dedicated to Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel,

Esthetician/Publisher

NYRAJU Skin Care -Providers of Natural Skin & Hair Care Products

http://www.nyrajuskincare.com