Black skin care tips for men?! It may go unspoken, but black men tend to have just as many concerns about their skin as women do. Much like women of color, African American males suffer from sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation, and acne.

Still, the biggest issues black men seem to struggle with is a good skin care regimen and shaving.  Facial shaving is often necessary, but puts additional stress on your skin that shows through bumps and scarring. A good skin care regimen just might help ease some of your shaving challenges.

Here Are 5 Black Skin Care Tips for Men To Promote a Better Overall Complexion.

Watch your razors. Because everyone lives a unique lifestyle and grows hair differently, it isn’t always an option to shave less. Because razors come in contact with your face often, it’s important to make sure they are clean and performing optimally. Change them out regularly. Many professionals also recommend shaving in the direction of hair growth instead of against it to reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Use unscented products. As great as some creams and lotions may smell, it’s best to avoid them if synthetic ingredients are used. These additives can be irritants that cause acne to flare up. They can also lead to other skin issues and worsen other conditions, such as eczema.

Know that your overall skin care routine is important. Seek out a natural-based care routine that will promote healthy skin. Keeping pores unclogged is especially important. Wash daily with a cleaner that goes deep to gently remove dirt and bacteria, and exfoliate to keep dead skin from building up. Moisturizing is also necessary. Dry skin ages more quickly and the more dry, the more easily irritated skin is.

Find shaving products with ingredients that will protect and improve your skin. Shaving creams and aftershaves are almost always used when shaving. So why not use them as a method of better skin care? Once again, nature’s sources are best instead of harsh chemicals. Glycerin, aloe, tea tree, vitamin E and Shea butter are some of top ingredients to seek out. Here is why:

Glycerin can be derived from natural substances and is extremely hydrating. Studies have found that when alone in its purest form, glycerin is able to attract water to it. When combined with the proper skin care routine, imagine how much needed moisture it could attract to your skin!

Aloe is a powerful moisturizer that can soothe and heal sunburn and it also works as a toner. It can lessen inflammation and the discoloration that comes along with breakouts. When ingested, aloe can help with illnesses also. Aloe fights allergic reactions, but it’s always best to sample it before use to ensure that it works well with your skin.

Tea tree extract is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Not only will it help to release toxins from the skin, it can also reduce swelling and inflammation. Used in moderation, it can gently reduce excess oil. Adding it to other natural ingredients is also known to remedy fungal infections and it can be added to many other cosmetic and health products.

When it comes to aftershave, there is more than one option available. There are splashes, balms, and even oils that can come in handy when you are dealing with especially dry skin. Shea butter, Vitamin E, jojoba and witch hazel are all ingredients that can moisturize the skin without creating excess oil that contributes to clogged pores and skin that looks greasy.

Rosewater works wonders for black men skin as an aftershave.  When applied as a mist or with a cotton swab, a rosewater toner can be soothing to freshly shaved skin.

While all of these ingredients can do wonders for your skin, internal care should be a top priority.

When providing black skin care tips for men, diet and nutrition are often overlooked.  Impurities in the body can be seen on your faces and many times, changing your lifestyle choices can have positive effects. Drinking an adequate amount of water provides internal hydration and flushes many toxins from your system.

Likewise, eating clean enhances the abilities of your body to repair itself; this means that breakouts may occur less frequently, and discoloration will fade away faster as well. Daily vitamins are also important and Vitamin A and C are two to take note of for skin.

African American men do face unique challenges when it comes to skincare. Unlike women, males are far less likely to use makeup to hide their imperfections. Even if they did, the bumps that come from shaving are hard to disguise. Shaving bumps can be painful, unsightly, and annoying.

But, developing a skin care and shaving routine that uses natural products is the first step to correcting the issue. Over time, following organic practices leads to better habits and you will most likely find yourself more inclined to buy organically in many of your other purchases.

That’s it for this week.  As always …

Dedicated to the Skin of Black Men,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/ Author/ Publisher
Nyraju Skin Care