SkinFitnessFacts.com News

It is true that people of color—compared to Caucasians— have a natural boost against the sun’s harmful UV rays because of the amount of melanin that lives in dark skin. It’s not true, however, that people of color are not at risk of having sun damaged skin. Sun block is important for all people regardless of skin tone. Many people of color first find evidence of skin cancer in places like the soles of their feet, mouth, and genitals.

Additionally, many women of color suffer from melasma, or discoloration of the skin, too. Although melasma is not deadly, it is discouraging because the dark spots appears on the face, most commonly the forehead and cheeks. Melasma is more common among women of color than Caucasian women.

There is an excellent site by Dr. Susan Taylor called brownskin.net that talks about these issues in more depth. I suggest you check it out to learn about skin conditions, treatments, and issues affecting women of color.

Having long suffered from dry skin and chronic chapped lips since my teens, there is only one ingredient I have found that truly tames those scaly, dry knuckles and the painfully cracked lips: shea butter. My chap stick, moisturizer, hand lotion, and foot cream all contain the lovely butter that is good enough to eat, literally.

Shea butter is derived form the karite tree, which grows in Africa. The fruit of this tree looks like a plum and contains a nut, which is smashed and boiled to create the creamy, white substance, or butter. This butter is used as cooking oil in some places, but it is more commonly used as an emollient.

Shea butter is also an anti-inflammatory that is beneficial in treating almost every skin condition including: eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin discoloration, stretch marks, rashes, and burns. Some even use shea butter as a moisturizer for hair. There are no limits to shea butter; it is the worlds’ best skin care product.

It makes a good gift too…

Wrinkle fighter #1 – Wear sun block each and every day, no exceptions. The sun may do some good for your skin, but too much will injure its elasticity giving you wrinkles.

Wrinkle fighter #2 – Eat foods rich in antioxidants (like carrots and tomatoes). Even take a vitamin C and E supplement to make sure you’re covered. This will protect your skin’s collagen from breaking down due to free radicals.

Wrinkle fighter #3 – Change up your expressions. Believe it or not smiling too much will give you laugh lines; squinting too much will give you crows feet; and making the “O” face too much will give you fine lines around your mouth. Be conscious of the way you hold your face because overdoing it will cause the skin, collagen, and muscles to break down giving you wrinkles.

Wrinkle fighter #4 – Don’t smoke. Again, avoid those free radicals and try not to make the same movements with your face over and over again; like you would if you were puffing on a cigarette. See number three.

Wrinkle fighter #5 – Try not to rub your eyes or pull on your face. See number three.

Wrinkle fighter #6 – Drink all the water you need because this will keep your skin hydrated and tight. There is much debate on how much water to drink each day, but the general rule of thumb is that you should drink as much as it takes to keep your urine clear, or close to clear.

Wrinkle fighter #7 – Use products that contain Retin A and alphahydroxy acids. Both have been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Wrinkle fighter #8 – Moisturize multiple times a day. Avoiding dry skin is an easy way to protect your face from sagging or looking unhealthy. Don’t forget your neck and chest too. These parts of your body are also likely to wrinkle.

Wrinkle fighter #9 – Take some vitamin A. Consuming enough retinol and beta-carotene will give your body the vitamin A it needs to rebuild skin cells. With a healthy cell turn over you won’t keep that dry, flaky, and stale looking skin that makes you look so much older.