Do you have melanin-rich complexion skin? I am sure you have noticed that your skin does not react to certain skincare products the way it should. This is because your skin is unique. People with darker skin tone have more melanin than other people with fair skin tone. However, certain features are more common among individuals with melanin-rich complexion, making your skincare needs different. Melanin-rich complexions require specific skincare products and solutions to meet their needs.
What makes Melanin Rich Complexion Unique?
Melanin is a natural skin pigment responsible for the dark or black appearance of hair, skin, and eyes in people. Melanocytes are a skin cell that controls pigment in your skin and other tissues. The more melanin your skin makes, the darker the skin. Everyone has the same number of melanocytes, but darker skin tone produces more melanin than others. Moreover, more melanin provides enough protection against harmful UV rays, reduces the chance of skin cancer, fights signs of aging and specific skin conditions that affect melanin-rich complexion more frequently and more severely.
Melanin-rich complexion has unique features that require a specific approach to address their skincare concerns. Here are a few unique skincare challenges that affect the skin of color that you should control.
Excess Oil Production
Another advantage of having a darker skin tone increases sebum or oil production. This means increased moisture and fights against wrinkles. However, oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts.
It is essential to apply a moisturizer to keep your melanated skin hydrated. Look for a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to keep your skin moisturized and protect from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Sensitive Skin
Individuals with darker skin tone are more likely or have sensitive skin. Their skin contains more components related to allergic reactions. This makes darker skin extra sensitive to skincare products, especially cosmetics soaps and chemicals in your laundry detergent. So if you have sensitive skin, it is crucial to choose products that will not irritate your skin or lead to more hyperpigmentation issues. Sometimes (OTC) over the counter, anti-itch creams and moisturizers are enough to protect irritated skin.
Hyperpigmentation
A common challenge faced by people with skin color as they get older is hyperpigmentation. It appears in the form of flat discolored patches on the face and body. This condition is visible in people with darker skin tone. The condition may not be harmful, but it can affect their lives because they will always be worried about their appearance. The good news is that there is a solution for you to experience any of these problems.
Look for products that address hyperpigmentation, and reduce the appearance of existing dark sports. These products include Vitamin C, an antioxidant, which can reduce hyperpigmentation, protect against harmful UV rays and increase collagen production. Most importantly, wear sunscreen every day.
Can sunscreen help?
Yes, Always Wear your Sunscreen
One of the biggest misconceptions about melanin-rich complexion is that having darker skin is enough protection against the harmful UV rays and that people with darker skin tone do not need to wear sunscreen. This is untrue; daily sunscreen is a must for everyone, regardless of their color. Even people with darker skin need sunscreen to prevent sunburns and skin cancer.
Although people with skin of color are less likely to develop skin cancer and photoaging, we’re not saying that people with darker skin should not wear sunscreen daily. Daily sunscreen is essential to reduce pigmentation and photodamage in darker skin individuals. Note that there are different types of harmful UV rays, and the best sunscreen protects your skin from that.
So, sunscreen is the first line of defense to protect your skin against shorter UVB rays that cause sunburn, whereas UVA rays prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots. This leads to wrinkling and aging. Darker skin age well and always looks younger than fair skin, if you want to keep it that way use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that prevent UVA deep aging and UVB shallow sunburn. Wear protective clothing for extra sun protection.
Conclusion
Although melanin-rich complexion is naturally more protective against harmful UV rays from the sun than fair skin, people of all skin tones (fair or dark) can burn if they do not wear sunscreen every day. The effect may not be as apparent on melanin-rich complexion, but this does not mean that it is harmless. Dark skin people need to protect their skin against UV rays and Melanoma. No one is immune to the harmful rays from the sun.
