Hello Beautiful!
Skin Care Routine for African Skin? If you do not have one in place yet, you will have one by the end of this article. African skin requires daily care as much as any other skin tone. Only it needs added consideration for hyperpigmentation, acne, oiliness, or dryness. Finding the right combination for your skincare routine will depend on your skin type.
Most available skincare products in the market cater for Caucasian or pale-skin toned woman. Not taking the daily concerns us women with darker skin tones face, into consideration. The very reason we developed the Uso range of skincare products. Each Uso product has been scientifically developed. Combining scientific and natural therapies, to leave skin feeling supple, healthy, glowing with a more even skin tone.
African Skin Concerns:
1. Pigmentation:
African skin contains more melanin than lighter skin. Making it prone to inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Even small injuries like blocked pores and insect bites can cause dark spots to develop.
2. Oily Skin:
Darker skin is also understood to have to larger sebaceous glands. These glands secrete small amounts of sebum (oil) to keep the skin lubricated. Larger sebaceous glands result in excess oil and can result in shiny skin. This contributes to blocked pores which have a ripple effect on your skin condition.
3. Dryness:
Darker skin has the tendency to not retain water as well as lighter skin. As a result, skin feels drier and can appear ashy in colour. This is also made worse by the dry climate in most parts of South Africa.
4. Acne and other Skin Conditions:
Acne develops when blocked pores are not cleansed and become infected. If left untreated it can cause lesions on the skin which encourage hyperpigmentation. African skin tends to develop skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well. In addition, most people are now experiencing acne as a result of the continuous use of face masks during this Covid-19 period. This requires a skincare routine that will prevent and treat these conditions.
The Ultimate Skin Care Routine for African Skin:
For supple, glowing, and more even-toned skin we recommend a daily skin care routine for African skin. It is best to repeat the routine twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before bed. Do avoid skipping your night-time routine as skin enters a restorative mode at night. Repairing the damage done from a busy day of sun exposure, air pollutants, makeup and dirt.
STEP ONE: Cleanse
Start by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser. Choose a cleanser that removes makeup but does not strip your skin of its natural essential oils. If you are acne-prone, cleansing your skin of this daily build-up will keep pores clear and prevent further damage. Massage the cleanser in gently and rinse with warm water. Avoid using abrasive face cloths or sponges, as scrubbing will cause irritation.
Product Suggestion: Uso 01 Hydro-Active Cleanser
Our Hydro-Active Cleanser effectively cleans your skin while conditioning it. It does not strip natural oils or cause irritation. The combination of Vitamin E, essential fatty acids such as Omega 3,6 and 9 and Vitamin C brighten your skin.
It also includes our unique Centella, Chamomile and Provitamin B5 Complex (CCP Complex). Centella tightens and firms skin while Chamomile calms any irritation. Provitamin B5 helps clean skin without drying it out thanks to its humectant and moisturising properties.
STEP TWO: Tone
Once your face has dried you can apply a toner. Toning is often a skipped step, but it is most important as it prepares your skin to receive serums and moisturisers. Toners balance your skin’s PH level which leaves it vibrant and smoother. It also prevents oiliness and infection.
Product Suggestion: Uso 02 Cellular Active Essence
Our essence is a combination toner and liquid essence which contains no alcohol. Using advanced hydration technology our Cellular Active Essence provides immediate and long-lasting moisture. Ingredients like Kombucha and Chamomile leave your skin calm, supple, and radiant.
Antioxidants from Rose Hip and Blackcurrant oil reduce the visible effects of sun damage and signs of premature ageing. Most importantly our Cellular Active Essence leaves skim primed for treatments that follow.
STEP THREE: Treatment
If you struggle with uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation you should incorporate a skin tone treatment into your night-time routine. Apply to problematic areas before applying your night-time moisturiser.
Product Suggestion: Uso 03 Targeted Uneven Skin Tone RX
Our innovative delivery system combines two peptides which target problem areas without affecting your normal skin tone. (Peptides are amino acid strings which build proteins.)
This product reduces and treats uneven skin tone while maintaining your natural complexion. We have also included our CCP Complex and Kombucha which leaves skin supple, radiant, and hydrated.
STEP FOUR: Moisturise
African skin is prone to dehydration and thus needs to daily moisturising. There are various contributors to this, the main being that darker skin has a lower quantity of ceramides. Ceramides are fatty acids which create a barrier in the skin layer. This barrier locks moisture into the skin and prevents irritation. To manage this, we recommend applying a modified moisturiser that nourishes skin while sealing the moisture in.
Product Suggestion: Uso 04 Active Anti-Aging Serum Moisturiser
Our Active Anti-Aging Serum uses hydration technology designed to fortify skin barrier function, locking in moisture. Our strategic combination of peptide technologies and Omega fatty acids work to tighten skin and slow down the signs of premature ageing. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins from our unique CCP Complex, this serum leaves skin supple, rejuvenated, and radiant.
STEP FIVE: Sunscreen
Having darker skin may reduce your risk of developing skin cancer from excessive sun exposure, but you still need daily UV protection. Sun exposure, throughout the year, can still cause damage to your skin and will encourage dark spots to develop. Most moisturisers contain sunscreen but if not, be sure to choose an SPF 30, broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Product Suggestion: Uso 05 Active Day Cream with SPF 30
Designed specifically for African Skin, our Active Day Cream offers SPF 30 protection without causing greying, streaking, or whitening to your skin. Enriched with our unique CCP Complex, this cream rejuvenates, hydrates, and protects against sun damage.
STEP SIX: Facial Mist
During the day, especially if you have very dry or dehydrated skin, we recommend that you use the 06 Active All Day Mist 2-3 times or as needed to replenish moisture and keep the skin glowing. The more you use it the better! Personally, I use it about 4-6 times a day. This is our gift to you when purchasing this kit.
Product Suggestion: 06 Active All Day Mist
Instantly hydrate, revive and soothe skin, wherever you go. Perfect for those with dry skin or living in dry areas. The Active All Day Mist with its advanced hydration technology and unique CCP Complex of Centella, Chamomile and Provitamin B5 will leave your skin refreshed, hydrated and radiant with added anti-ageing benefits.
Tip: Use one product range at a time to avoid confusing your skin. Each brand has a unique blend of ingredients and technologies that when used together, deliver specific results. If mixed up, these products will not be effective and may have adverse effects on your skin.
When used together, the Uso by African Dermal Science products interacts to deliver hydrated, even-toned, radiant, and youthful skin.
