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Tag: Skincare Routine

  • 8 Black-Owned Beauty Buys For A Polished Look

    Ever wonder what gives your favorite estheticians that signature glow and polished finish? It’s often a curated selection of high-quality products, and increasingly, many of these gems are coming from Black-owned brands. These innovators are not only elevating skincare and beauty routines but are also making significant strides in the beauty industry. Ready to refresh your beauty kit? Here are eight must-have products from Black-owned brands that deliver that coveted polished look.

    Effortless Hair Removal: Sugardoh Sugaring Tool Kit

    Say goodbye to wasteful waxing! Sugardoh, founded by Aliyah Marandiz, offers a Sugaring Tool Kit that provides a natural, gentle alternative for hair removal. This kit includes everything you need for at-home sugar waxing – sugar paste, applicators, and cloth strips. Praised for its eco-friendly approach and effective results, Sugardoh even snagged “Ulta’s Brand of the Year 2024.” It’s perfect for achieving smooth skin with minimal environmental impact.

    Skincare Crafted for Melanated Skin: Epi.Logic

    Plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton created Epi.Logic with a mission to deliver gentle, non-irritating skincare specifically formulated for melanated skin. This brand is highly sought after for its products designed to address the unique needs of darker skin tones, minimizing irritation while maximizing results. You can find their effective formulations online and through select skincare retailers.

    Inclusive Sun Protection: UnSun Cosmetics

    Katonya B. Breaux’s UnSun Cosmetics tackles sun protection with a focus on inclusivity. Their mineral sunscreens are residue-free and tinted to complement a wide range of skin tones, ensuring that everyone can protect their skin without a chalky white cast. Estheticians consistently recommend sun protection, and UnSun offers a fantastic Black-owned option.

    Botanical Bliss: Klur Body Oils

    Lesley Thornton’s Klur is a line of botanical body oils and skincare elixirs designed for everything from massage to moisturizing and polishing the skin. After a decade in the industry, Klur stands out by focusing on meticulously selected ingredient profiles, offering a luxurious and effective counterpoint to conventional skincare. Their products can be found online and at select curated retailers.

    Celebrity-Approved Skincare: Shani Darden Skin Care

    Developed by celebrity esthetician Shani Darden, this line features cleansers, peels, and serums that have gained significant traction. Known for its credibility and cultural insight, Shani Darden Skin Care is a go-to for many estheticians who rely on its effective peels and serums to achieve radiant skin.

    Brightening Power: Hyper Skin’s Fade & Glow

    Desiree Verdejo’s Hyper Skin focuses on brightening the complexion and targeting concerns like pigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Their AHA-infused Fade & Glow mask line has earned accolades, including Allure Best of Beauty awards. Choosing formulas crafted with melanin awareness is a smart and meaningful approach to skincare.

    The Ultimate Edge Styler: Baby Tress Edge Styler

    Co-founded by Shannon Kennard, the Baby Tress Edge Styler is a versatile 3-in-1 tool for styling hairline edges, brows, and lashes. This Black-owned beauty tech innovation won Allure’s Best of Beauty award in 2024, highlighting its effectiveness and contribution to representation in the beauty space. It’s available through Baby Tress channels and retailers.

    Weightless Radiance: Oui the People Featherweight Body Gloss

    Founded by Black entrepreneur Karen Young, Oui the People’s Featherweight Body Gloss offers a finishing touch that feels incredibly light on the skin. Its unique formula glides on smoothly, leaving a beautiful sheen without any heaviness. This product is now available at major retailers and online, earning a Beauty Press Award in 2024 for its exceptional finish.

    Which of these Black-owned beauty buys are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!

  • 5 Disposable Face Towels for Healthier Skin

    Struggling with persistent acne despite a diligent skincare routine? You might be overlooking a crucial step: your washcloth. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, reusable washcloths can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, especially if not properly ventilated or replaced frequently. This can lead to breakouts and skin irritation. Thankfully, disposable face towels offer a simple yet effective solution to maintain a clean canvas for your skin.

    The Case Against Reusable Washcloths

    The convenience of a washcloth is undeniable, but its reusability poses a significant hygiene challenge. Damp or dirty cloths stored in bathrooms can easily accumulate germs that transfer to your skin during cleansing. Disposable face towels eliminate this risk, offering a fresh, hygienic option for drying your face after cleansing or removing makeup. They also add a touch of luxury to your routine without the hassle of constant laundry.

    Making the switch to disposable face towels is an easy way to adopt healthier skincare habits. To help you find the perfect option, we’ve rounded up five top-rated disposable face towels designed for all skin types, ensuring a gentle yet effective addition to your beauty regimen.

    Top 5 Disposable Face Towels

    1. **MakeUp Eraser: Cloud Clean XL Eco Towels:** Made from 100% biodegradable eucalyptus fibers, these dual-sided towels are clinically and dermatologist-tested to keep skin healthy and reduce dryness and redness.
    2. **Buttah Skin Silky Soft Towels:** These biodegradable natural fiber towels are perfect for drying skin, cleansing, or removing makeup. They’re an eco-friendly choice for maintaining clean skin and a clean planet.
    3. **Eva Naturals Disposable Face Towels:** Antibacterial and unscented, these multipurpose towels offer a plush, thick, and absorbent texture that is incredibly soft on the skin.
    4. **Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL:** Praised for their durable yet ultra-soft texture, these vegan, dermatologist-approved, and compostable towels help reduce redness, improve the skin barrier, and lock in hydration.
    5. **Silkx Skin Towels Vegan Silk:** This Black, woman-owned brand offers luxurious face towels made from 100% eucalyptus fibers. Their silk-like texture is refreshing, soothing, highly absorbent, hygienic, vegan, and eco-friendly, making them ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

    Ready to elevate your skincare routine with a touch of hygiene and luxury? Which of these disposable face towels will you be trying first? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Dermatologists’ Secrets to Stop Shave Irritation

    We’ve all experienced the post-shave sting: those annoying red bumps and relentless itching that turn smooth legs into a source of discomfort. But what if you could banish razor irritation for good? Leading dermatologists share their secrets to preventing that post-shave rebellion and achieving a truly pleasurable shaving experience.

    Understanding Why Your Skin Reacts

    Shaving isn’t just about cutting hair; it’s a form of micro-exfoliation that removes the top layer of skin cells, compromising your skin barrier. This leaves your skin vulnerable and prone to inflammation, resulting in redness, bumps, and itching. When hair follicles are also irritated, the discomfort can linger for days.

    The Blade Game-Changer: Sharpness is Key

    Your razor blade is crucial. A dull blade forces you to apply more pressure and make multiple passes, increasing skin damage. Dermatologists recommend replacing blades every two weeks for daily shavers, or more often if you have coarse hair. Think of it like using the right tool for the job – a sharp razor glides smoothly, cutting hair cleanly and minimizing irritation.

    Temperature and Technique Matter

    While hot showers feel great, they can strip your skin of natural oils that protect and moisturize. Opt for lukewarm water instead, which softens hair follicles without drying out your skin. After shaving, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel using downward strokes, rather than rubbing vigorously.

    Smart Product Choices for Sensitive Skin

    Ditch the traditional alcohol-based aftershaves that cause stinging. Look for modern formulations with soothing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which offer antiseptic benefits without irritation. Always check ingredient lists for alcohol, especially if it’s listed prominently. Opting for fragrance-free products is also a game-changer, as synthetic fragrances are common irritants for compromised skin.

    Preparation and Recovery Protocols

    Before you even pick up the razor, consider gentle chemical exfoliation with products containing lactic or salicylic acid. This helps dissolve dead skin cells, creating a smoother surface for shaving. Immediately after shaving, apply a moisturizer to slightly damp skin to lock in hydration and help restore your skin’s protective barrier. Ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid are excellent for this.

    Emergency Interventions for Irritation

    If irritation does occur, pure aloe vera gel (stored in the refrigerator for extra cooling) can provide immediate relief. For more severe itching and inflammation, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be effective, but should be used sparingly.

    What are your go-to tips for preventing shave irritation? Share your secrets in the comments below!

  • HBCU Seniors Balance Eczema & Confidence

    Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition affecting millions, with Black individuals often experiencing greater prevalence, severity, and persistence. While eczema isn’t curable, managing flare-ups is possible. For college students, juggling classes, extracurriculars, and social life while managing eczema presents unique challenges. Here are three HBCU seniors who are mastering this balance with finesse:

    Briana Jones-Gill: The Broadcast Journalist

    Briana Jones-Gill, a senior broadcast journalism major at FAMU, spends significant time on camera and prioritizes looking her best. When eczema flares up on her legs and cheeks, she adapts her beauty routine. “When I’m going to be on camera, I want to make sure that I’m picture-perfect,” she shares. Her approach relies on a simple skincare routine with gentle products like Cetaphil Cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, emphasizing the importance of SPF to prevent sunburn on sensitive skin. Briana manages flare-ups with moisturizers and showers to keep affected areas clean, benefiting from a supportive family who also deals with eczema.

    Jayden Hall-Ingram: The Healthcare Advocate

    Jayden Hall-Ingram, a senior speech pathology major and psychology minor at North Carolina A&T, is passionate about healthcare advocacy. He experiences eczema flare-ups on his back and arms and has found the search for adequate dermatological care challenging, noting a scarcity of dermatologists knowledgeable about Black skin, especially in the South. “There aren’t enough good dermatologists for Black people,” he states. Jayden uses hypoallergenic products like African net sponges and Dove bar soap, followed by raw shea butter for moisture and PanOxyl cleanser with SPF for his face. He manages flare-ups with hydrocortisone but hopes his experiences will help improve outcomes for other Black individuals seeking medical care.

    Kaya Brown: The Business Major with a Gentle Routine

    FAMU senior Kaya Brown, a business and administration major, relies on prescription creams for her eczema, which typically flares on her face and elbow creases. She emphasizes the importance of a gentle beauty routine, using hypoallergenic foundation and avoiding heavily perfumed lotions, preferring Palmer’s Cocoa Butter and Lubriderm. While fragrances can be a guilty pleasure, she uses them sparingly, especially for her retail job with the Atlanta Braves, to avoid skin irritation. Kaya is looking ahead to grad school after finishing her senior year, all while keeping her skin clear.

    Key Takeaways for Managing Eczema

    These three HBCU seniors demonstrate that managing eczema while excelling in college is achievable. Key strategies include:

    • **Gentle Skincare:** Using hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products is crucial.
    • **Moisturization:** Regularly applying moisturizers, especially after cleansing, helps combat dryness.
    • **Sun Protection:** SPF is vital to prevent sunburn on sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
    • **Prescription Treatments:** Consulting a dermatologist for prescription creams can be highly effective for managing flare-ups.
    • **Seeking Support:** Leaning on family or peer support groups can provide valuable advice and emotional encouragement.
    • **Advocacy:** Patients must advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed thoroughly.

    What are your go-to strategies for managing eczema? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!