Best skin care protection for melanin-rich skin

Summer and fun are the ultimate power couple. Pool time and beach days. Time spent frolicking outdoors with friends and family. There are many reasons to prefer warmer climates as we can highlight our wide collection of sundresses.

While the overall vibe may be a little more light-hearted, there’s one thing you should take very seriously. It’s about caring for and protecting your skin, regardless of its color.

“Because the sun is higher in the sky and its rays are physically hitting your face, you’re just going to be more vulnerable to unnecessary sun exposure during the summer,” he says. Dr. Angela Lambassociate professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Some people with dark skin may think they can pass the exam, but that’s not true at all.

“Yes, increased melanin provides some protection for your skin, but it’s not a complete sunscreen, so even people with darker skin can still get sunburn,” she explains. Dr. Rosemary IngletonMedical Director of Ingleton Dermatology and Founder of ROSE Ingleton MD Skin Care.

Don’t just make SPF a must-have for going out. There are many things that people with skin with a lot of melanin need to be especially careful about in the summer, such as troublesome pigmentation. With dermatologist-recommended tips and product choices, we’ll tackle the best way to give your dark skin some TLC during the summer.

Try changing your skin care

The trio of heat, moisture, and sun exposure will require a rethinking of your plans. There are things to add and things to replace.

First, consider keeping your cream cleansers and tagging along with a lighter, gentler gel formula, says Dr. Ingleton. (she recommends her super fruit brightening cleanser This is because you can deep cleanse your skin without drying it out. )

If you have oily skin, you can also switch to a lighter moisturizer. Think of it like this: You wouldn’t wear a shearling coat in the summer. Similarly, if you’re prone to excess sweat, you might not want to apply too much skin. Plus, using a lighter lotion will make you want to apply more sunscreen.

When it comes to skin care supplements, exfoliating formulations can prevent pores from becoming clogged.

“If your skin tolerates it, you may want to incorporate a toner with glycolic or salicylic acid to promote cell turnover,” suggests Dr. Lam.

If you aren’t already using a vitamin C serum, start now. “It’s important all year round, but it’s especially important in the summer because it helps protect your skin from UV damage,” says Dr. Ingleton.

Find the sunscreen that’s right for you

So what is the best sunscreen for people with dark skin? Most dermatologists will tell you this is the one you can wear consistently.

First, sunscreen 101. He is of two types: physical (mineral) and chemical. Minerals contain ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which form a barrier on the skin to deflect the sun’s UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens use compounds such as oxybenzone and avobenzone to absorb UV rays. Masu.

For many people with dark skin, physical sunscreens are less appealing because they have a reputation for leaving darker skin looking washed out. Chemical sunscreens don’t have that tendency. “What I always recommend is Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 It’s actually invisible, so it’s great for people with darker skin tones,” Dr. Ingleton says.

But physical formulas also have advantages. While physical formulas work immediately after application, Dr. Lam says chemical formulas need to be applied thoroughly to the skin 15 to 20 minutes before going out. Thankfully, in recent years they have been upgraded to be micronized, so the white cast is less noticeable. Dr. Lam’s favorites include: black girl sunscreen and charlotte tilburytwo hybrid formulations containing both chemical and physical components.

Increase SPF

according to F.D.A., SPF number refers to the amount of UV rays required to cause a sunburn on protected skin compared to the amount of UV rays required to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. While excess melanin may benefit from basic protection (natural SPF 8-13, depending on your skin tone), supplemental protection is still essential.

Dr. Lam recommends hitting SPF 50, especially when the sun is at its peak, but more important than the number on the bottle is whether you can actually hit SPF 50. use Contents..

“While it’s true that products with a higher SPF will protect you from sunburn better than products with a lower SPF, I believe the best sunscreen is the one you actually use and reapply,” says Ingleton. says the doctor. “So we recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ and reapplying it every two hours when you’re out in the sun.”

Even things that are out

If you ask a dermatologist what the biggest concern is for dark-skinned patients, they’ll likely tell you hyperpigmentation.

In the summer, discoloration is more severe for several reasons. First and most obvious, further sun exposure can make the stain even darker. “And in the summer, increased oil and sweat can clog pores and leave dark spots in people with melanin-rich skin, which can lead to acne flare-ups,” Dr Ingleton explains.

For prevention, it is important to wear sunscreen and a hat.

To treat hyperpigmentation, you may want to use products that contain active ingredients such as kojic acid, mandelic acid, and tranexamic acid. “If you want to prevent hyperpigmentation, it’s a good idea to apply products designed to block pigment,” says Dr. Lam.

You can choose a targeted spot treatment, a full body serum, or a combination of both.Commercial formulas such as Topical fade serum (Dr. Lam’s choice) and Skin Medica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream Helps resolve things.

Know that hyperpigmentation treatments can make you more sensitive to sunlight, so wearing sunscreen can also help. more This is a must in case you couldn’t get through the first 10 times.