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TL;DR
- Make sure your hormones are balanced.
- Incorporate dry brushing into your shower and hygiene routine.
- Avoid harsh cleansers.
- Invest in healing and detoxing clays.
- Incorporate a facial steamer to open your pores.
- Invest in a footbath and soak your feet on a regular basis.
- Drink a shot of carrot juice every day for “inside-out foundation”.
- Use an effective but gentle sponge/loofah/hand glove to bathe and shower.
- Take a steam bath or spend time in a sauna every so often.
- Practice Bikram or hot yoga if you have access to and can afford it.
- Use scar patches on keloids and large/raised/prominent scars to reduce/improve their appearance and flatten them.
- Consume serrapeptase to gradually get rid of excess scarring/keloids/fibrous scar tissue from physical trauma, surgery, accidents, infections, piercings, etc.
- Drink adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated.
- Stay physically active.
- Visit a dermatologist for any skin issues that you have been unable to treat on your own, are undiagnosed, or continue to persist.
- Use medicated cleansers and ointments for skin conditions like tinea versicolor, dermatitis, eczema, etc.
- Keep your skin moisturized and elastic.
- Use a derma roller on cellulite (fat pockets) and stretch marks.
- Avoid harsh body hair removal procedures and products.
- Get some vitamin D!
The Nitty Gritty
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and even though you may not think of your skin the way you do other organs of your body like your heart, lungs, kidneys, and so on, your skin is absolutely a living, and, yes, breathing organ. It is the protective barrier that encases everything that physically makes you up from the outside world. It is your primary covering, aka, your “birthday suit” (the clothes you’re born with). Just like the rest of you, your skin changes and ages with time as well as other factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, physical trauma, growth/weight gain or loss, what you eat, your physical activity level and the climate where you live. Whether you have typically clear or acne-prone skin or anything in between, you need to create habits to get and/or keep your skin in prime condition at any given stage. This isn’t something you need to wait to start until you’re significantly older. Start now and, like exercise, your efforts will pay off and show years and decades from now.
Like anything else you’d like to have consistently, you need to practice consistency. In this case, you need to develop a routine or regimen for your skin. It doesn’t have to be complicated and you do not have to do a million and one things to have a good skin routine. You should tailor your routine to your skin and adjust it as your skin changes according to its specific needs at any given time. It’s important to note that you need to treat the skin on your face, neck and chest, your palms and soles, and the rest of the skin over your body differently, because, well, they are different. For instance, your palms and soles don’t have any pores (hair follicles) and, therefore, no hair. They also have the ability to form calluses (thickened/hardened skin in response to friction) in a way your other skin cannot. The skin on your chest, neck, and face are thinner and more delicate than the skin on your outer thighs, legs, and lower torso. You need to be mindful of this so that you’re not applying the same pressure, temperature, or product formulation for your different skins as though they are the same. Different parts of your body have different skin properties and should be handled/treated accordingly. Again, this doesn’t have to be complicated. A good guideline to follow is dividing your skin into three groups: A, B, and C. Group A is the thinner, more delicate skin of your face, neck, chest, inner wrists and inner thighs/genitalia. Group B is your medium skin, which covers the lower half of your torso, your butt, your back, your legs, and arms. Group C is your hairless skin, a.k.a. your palms and soles. Generally speaking, aim to handle and treat your skin according to these groups.
1) Before we delve into the external aspects of skin care or developing a skincare regimen, make sure your hormones are balanced and nothing in your diet or supplement(s) (if you take them) has a negative effect on your skin (like high-dose biotin and MSM which are notorious for triggering painful, cystic acne breakouts). Unbalanced hormones are one of the key perpetrators of reoccurring cystic acne, breakouts, and their accompanying scarring and hyperpigmentation. This cannot be overstated because a lot of your efforts can be in vain if you’re simply treating the symptom(s) of an issue instead of its root cause. Visit a dermatologist/seek out help from an experienced and well-reviewed professional who specializes not only in skin health, but your specific type of skin. This is especially true if you have deeper/richer and/or sensitive skin.
2) Incorporate dry brushing into your shower and hygiene routine.
Doing this prior to stepping under the water is usually a good idea as it gives you the opportunity to simultaneously lift dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin (exfoliation) and stimulate/enhance blood circulation all over your skin. This is also great for preventing ingrown hairs and for better lymphatic drainage (detoxification). This is an efficient way to exfoliate your entire body–not to mention it’s also very relaxing and therapeutic. Use a good exfoliating dry brush that is long enough to reach all over your body, including harder to reach areas like your upper back. You will quickly find that doing this step alone consistently will enhance and optimize your skin for the better.
3) Avoid harsh cleansers and stick to formulations with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and honey. Just because something needs to get your skin clean does not mean it needs to make it dry, stripped, or ashy. You may even want to consider using non-surfactant cleansers like Rhassoul clay to clean your body (and hair/scalp) instead of traditional detergents. Clay has an almost magical ability to both clean and condition your skin and its extensions (hair and nails) at the same time so your skin never has to get dry, completely stripped of sebum or irritated/flaky from the dryness. Even if you want to stick to traditional commercial body washes, again, choosing ones with gentle cleansing agents, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and pH balancers like aloe vera is your best bet. At no point in your skin care routine, no matter which group (A, B, or C), should your skin become dry. Not even during cleansing. Yes, you read that right. It doesn’t matter that you’re going to follow up with a moisturizer or lotion afterward. Your skin should not feel dry or unnaturally stripped at any point. That’s basically employing a solution for a problem you create (a reactive approach). You won’t need a solution if you don’t create the problem in the first place (a proactive approach). The ongoing and cumulative stripping of your skin compounds over time and will age it prematurely. So, save yourself the added physical years.
4) Invest in healing and detoxing clays like Rhassoul, bentonite, and kaolin clay. We’ve talked about Rhassoul clay being an effective yet gentle and conditioning cleanser for your skin (How To Always Look, Feel, and Be So Fresh and So Clean, Clean) and hair (How To Grow Fantasy Your Hair Naturally). But using clays every so often as a full-body mask is a great treat for your skin and an amazing way to pamper yourself and take your self-care routine up a notch. Mud baths or facial clay masks will completely change your skincare game and your skin will change accordingly. Clays have the natural ability to draw out and attract the opposite charge of what they have/carry. For instance, bentonite clay has a strong negative charge and attracts positively charged metals and toxins to itself, essentially binding to and removing them from your body when you place it on (and subsequently rinse it off) your skin. A great way to do this detox is to use the mask paste on the soles of your feet or steep your feet into a solution of bentonite clay and water for 30 minutes. Again, this can be done periodically, anywhere from once a week to every three months, depending on your preference, lifestyle, time constraints and needs. Clays have been used for literally thousands and thousands of years throughout human history. They existed before traditional commercial body wash/shampoo and will continue to exist well after them. Don’t underestimate their effectiveness. Just because they may not come in the same pretty packaging you’re used to or smell/look like fragranced foamy suds, they pack a major punch and you seriously miss out if you don’t include them in your skincare routine.
5) In addition to using a clay face mask, incorporate a facial steamer to open your pores and allow the clay mask to work even more effectively. Facial steaming is a great way to enhance your skin’s ability to absorb product and the effect products/masks have on your skin. Facial steaming also decongestants you and is great for your sinuses as the water vapor clears you up while it opens your pores. Again, this heightens your skincare experience and feels very relaxing and therapeutic. Doing this once a week prior to using your clay face mask will help with clogged pores and make it easier for the clay to remove impurities from your skin.
6) Invest in a footbath and soak your feet on a regular basis,
whether that is weekly, bimonthly, or monthly. You may not use your feet for as many things as you do your hands, but they are just as important and you cannot neglect them. Take care of the skin on your feet, between and over your toes, over your ankles, and your soles. This is an effective way to soften any calluses you may have (especially if you’re fit/athletic, which is a highly-recommend lifestyle habit on here) and more easily remove them. You can use Epsom or mineral salts in your water as you’re able to soak up some of these minerals topically (like magnesium) to a degree. Those, in turn, help with your skin’s radiance and vibrancy. There is a reason why the Dead Sea is famous for its mineral content and its effect on the skin. This will ensure that your pedicures always look great and your tappers stay looking like a million bucks. In order to have great-looking feet, you need to look after the skin covering them.
7) Drink a shot of carrot juice every day for “inside-out foundation”.
Carrots and other vegetables and fruits with orange, yellow, and red pigment like beets, watermelon, tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash, and sweet potatoes are great to juice because you inherit the pigments (phytonutrients) of the vegetable or fruit and it becomes part of your own skin pigment. This will give your skin a natural, beautiful flush and internal glow. I’ve tried this myself and after juicing a blend of carrots and watermelon for two weeks, I looked like I was wearing foundation when I had absolutely no makeup on. Of course, you need to keep this practice up in order to continue to see those results as they do fade. But, again, a skincare routine is just that: a routine. Something you do again and again. This is not a one-off effort or commitment. It is a lifestyle. Juicing vegetables and fruit naturally has the added benefit of making you healthier, overall. And your skin will reflect that.
8) Use an effective but gentle sponge/loofah/exfoliating glove to bathe and shower.
Aside from your dry brush, this will be your main exfoliator and it needs to be gentle enough for your group A skin (your neck, chest, and face,) but also effective enough for your medium, group B skin. This is particularly true if you have benign skin conditions like keratosis pilaris (strawberry skin) or excessive keratosis that requires consistent exfoliation to prevent an excess of buildup of skin cells around your follicles. Alternatively, you can have an exfoliating tool specifically dedicated for each group of skin; A soft sponge for group A. Shower gloves for group B. And medium-strength brushes/pumices for group C. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of using more than one exfoliating tool for your body, it is better to go with a gentler or softer tool for your entire body than a harsher one. You can apply more pressure on your group B and C skin with your softer exfoliator and not have to worry about it being too harsh on your group A skin. Remember, the effects of your habits and routine on your skin are cumulative, and using too harsh an exfoliating tool on your thinner, more sensitive skin will end up damaging it over time. You may not see those effects initially, but they will compound. Again, you do not want to be the cause of your skin aging prematurely, especially not the most visible parts of your skin like your face, neck, and upper chest.
9) Take a steam bath or spend time in a sauna every so often.
Spending time in a heated environment like an infrared sauna or a steam bath (modern or traditional) allows your skin to thoroughly detox as it opens your pores and enhances both blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This allows you to sweat more than you usually would, in turn cleaning your skin from the inside out. You can alternate between the two or pick one or the other, depending on what suits you the best. Steam baths entail moist heat (water vapor) and saunas entail dry heat. Whichever you choose, it is important to replenish the water you lose through sweating by drinking ample amounts of water when you do this. Tip: adding a splash of lemon to your water is both refreshing and alkalizing to your body, and enhances the hydrating effect of water on your skin from the inside out. You can do this either weekly or monthly, but make it a consistent part of your routine regardless of the frequency. But definitely aim to do this at least once a season (every three months).
10) In the same vein, practice Bikram or hot yoga if you have access to and can afford it.
Bikram yoga is a form of yoga practiced in a room intentionally heated (to 105 °F / 40 °C and 40% humidity) for 90 minutes a session, so it’s like you’re doing yoga in a sauna. Engaging in physical activity in a hot and humid environment enhances the effect of the exercise as you’re forced to sweat more profusely than you would otherwise, thereby cleansing your skin and body on a heightened level, increasing your blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Again, it is important to properly rehydrate yourself as you will sweat a lot when doing this. This is essentially accomplishing multiple things with a single effort, and an efficient way of going about staying fit. You can essentially get (and keep) a hot, banging, bodacious bod and receive the benefits of being in a spa all at the same time. Doing this habitually will allow you to see gains in your skin’s appearance, health and beauty much faster as the positive effects compound.
11) Use scar patches on keloids and large/raised/prominent scars to reduce/improve their appearance and flatten them.
Silicone patches are one of many scar treatments that you can use on challenging scars that tend to have more fibrous tissue and are, therefore, more apparent. This is particularly true if they are on the larger side. Be consistent with this, as it is consistency that will allow you to see results – like anything else. Practice patience in measuring your progress/results and setting your expectations. These are effective for both newer as well as very hold scars, so don’t worry about how long you’ve had the scar. You can even use these on scars from childhood, as well as those as a result of serious accidents/injuries like 2nd and 3rd degree burns and car crashes, surgical stitches, deep wound infections, and skin ulcers. (*If you are happy to make the investment, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) scar therapy is an effective, noninvasive procedure which uses your own blood to create concentrated plasma that’s injected into your scars to essentially “reheal” them).
12) Consume serrapeptase to gradually get rid of excess scarring/keloids/fibrous scar tissue from physical trauma, surgery, accidents, infections, piercings, etc.
Serrapeptase is an enzyme that feeds on fibrous tissue and material. It is available in both pill and powder forms as a supplement. It can also break down blood clots. While using silicone patches is the external way to tackle raised and keloid scars, consuming serrapeptase is your internal approach. Using both simultaneously will ensure that you get the best results. Some people have even had success with using a paste of serrapeptase and water externally on their scars. Please keep in mind, however, that it may interfere with any medication that thins your blood because, as already mentioned, it breaks down blood clots and thins it in that sense as a result.
13) As already mentioned, but it bears repeating, drink adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated.
How much you need will depend on your physical activity level, the climate where you live, and your general health. Keep in mind that you can also incorporate your water intake into your diet, as in the food you eat. Broths, soups, smoothies, and shakes are all great ways to incorporate more water into your body without necessarily drinking it plain. If you have a hard time with the plainness of water, drink it either cold, with a splash of citrus fruit like lemon or lime, carbonated/fizzy, or a combination of all three. Like with food, chances are, when you don’t enjoy something, it’s not that don’t enjoy the particular food item, or in this case, water, but the way it’s prepared. If you don’t like plain, room-temperature water, you may like cold, sparkling water. Or naturally (fruit) flavored water. Or kefir water. Or perhaps sometimes it’s a matter of presentation. Using a calibrated water bottle, tumbler, or cup/glass you enjoy to look at enhances the experience of drinking your water and makes it more pleasurable. You can also use a stainless-steel straw or other accessories to jazz up your water consumption. This incentivizes you to do more of it, that way, it doesn’t feel like a chore, and you can more easily build the habit of doing it until it becomes second nature. Remember, the human body is 70% water. You are literally 70% water. So, if you’re not replenishing your body, i.e., your organs, your skin being the largest of them, then you will not function optimally. If you need even more incentive to do this, your brain actually shrinks physically when dehydrated. So, get to sipping.
14) Even if you don’t do Bikram yoga specifically, stay physically active.
Even though a lot of us have been conditioned into believing that sweat is unappealing or nasty, we need to do it and it needs to happen for us and our bodies to function optimally. You sweat through your skin to both cool your body as well as detoxify it. Exercising consistently as part of your lifestyle will ensure that not only get and maintain a hot, sexy bod, but that your all-round health and wellness is optimized and you feel good from the consistent, natural doses of dopamine, oxytocin and other mood-boosting hormones/biochemicals. Physical activity is one of those things that is simply nonnegotiable if you intend to function at your best–an absolute necessity if you are going to win at life and be wildly successful. There are so many types of sports and exercises you can choose from (group/team, paired, or solo), so pick something you truly enjoy and has a practical use for you in real life (like dancing or bike riding) so that you feel like you’re practicing something you would do, anyway. Check out the personal fitness resource page for ideas and options.
15) Visit a dermatologist for any skin issues that you have been unable to treat on your own, are undiagnosed, or continue to persist.
Again, if you’re going to be successful in any aspect of your life, you need to be willing and able to ask for help. You cannot and should not do everything by yourself, and sometimes, even when you do have a good handle on your skin care, consulting with a well-reviewed, knowledgeable aesthetician or dermatologist can allow you to gain thorough insight on your skin and its needs, particularly as you get older and your skin correspondingly changes. There are certain treatments, like chemical peels, for instance, that only a licensed aesthetician, dermatologist, or professional skincare specialist can perform and you should not attempt at home yourself. Seek out a professional who specializes is in deeper skin, as melanin-rich skin has different needs, sensitivities, and reactions to skin that isn’t.
16) Following from that, use medicated cleansers and ointments for skin conditions like tinea versicolor, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.
Again, make sure that these are diagnosed so that you are not simply guessing and using medicated products on your skin willy-nilly. You don’t want to use anything that could further aggravate your skin and make things worse. It is worth having the right information so that can you take the right approach for your specific skin condition and needs. This is particularly true for a lot of skin conditions like tinea versicolor and psoriasis that are chronic and can only be treated, not cured. The good news is, many skin conditions, despite their chronic nature, are easily treatable and respond well to available and accessible medication.
17) Keep your skin moisturized and elastic
by using nourishing ingredients on it like jojoba oil, aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and heavier emollients like castor oil and shea/mango/cocoa butter, particularly in colder/harsher/drier climates or seasons. Also use occlusives like petroleum jelly, mineral oil and lanolin as a protective barrier to keep your skin from cracking. This includes your lips, as they are the thinnest skin on your body and, like your palms and soles, do not contain pores, and, therefore, sebaceous glands and cannot produce sebum to keep themselves lubricated. Despite pervasive misinformation, occlusives like petroleum jelly and mineral oil do not and cannot clog your follicles/pores as their molecules are far too large to do so. These substances are, in fact, some of the best antioxidants as they literally provide a protective film/barrier over your skin which in turn limits its exposure to oxygen (oxidation). Despite its affordability and accessibility worldwide, petroleum jelly is probably one of the best products you can use on your skin externally to maintain its youth, moisture levels, and elasticity. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful, so please don’t sleep on it. Be mindful of comedogenic products, even if they are botanical oils like coconut oil. While it may be otherwise great for your skin, it can be problematic when it comes to follicle congestion, particularly on thinner skin like your face, neck, and chest (group A). Pay attention to how your skin reacts with any product you use, whether commercially formulated, botanical/natural, or DIY.
18) Use a derma roller on cellulite (fat pockets) and stretch marks.
You need to do this consistently in order to see results, which should not be surprising. Stretch marks exist as a result of your skin expanding to accommodate weight gain or growth. For instance, during pregnancy where a woman’s belly and lower abdomen grows much bigger than it otherwise would, and once the increased size reverts back to normal after the baby, the stretched or expanded skin becomes folded and raised as the excess has nowhere else to go and does not “melt” off in the same way the weight does. Rapid weight loss can exacerbate this and, generally, the more rapid the weight loss, the more prominent and visible the stretch marks. Derma rolling applies physical pressure onto these uneven dips and rises on your skin, and the consistent force levels it out over time. You must be patient with this process as it can take a while to see results. Be patient with your skin and be patient with yourself. Continue to repeat the practice (and forge the habit) even if you don’t see results right away. They will come with consistency.
19) Avoid harsh body hair removal procedures and products.
Substances like Nair are not advisable for hair removal, particularly in sensitive areas like your armpits and genitalia. Your armpits, in particular, are a lymphatic hotspot and right next to your breasts. You need to be very mindful of what you put or allow near there. Nair essentially uses the same chemicals as hair relaxers/perms and is very dangerous for your skin. Opt for gentler hair-removal procedures that do not compromise your skin’s integrity or health or expose you to harmful, toxic chemicals and byproducts like mechanical shaving, gentle waxing, and electrolysis. Remember, these things have a compounding effect and the cumulative damage you can sustain over time should not be overestimated. There is no point or reason to put your skin’s health at risk in your pursuit of physical improvement and better hygiene. You do not have to compromise one in order to attain the other. It’s not an either/or thing. Also, be mindful of procedures like laser and electrolysis hair removal, particularly if you have melanin-rich skin as it may respond negatively to the resulting inflammation of the laser which can lead to hyperpigmentation and scarring. Again, seek out on-board, certified professionals who specialize in deep skin as they will know what measures to take and what procedure(s) are most suitable/beneficial/safe for you.
20) Get some vitamin D!
No, not that vitamin D. Okay, maybe that, too. It’s mood-elevating exercise, after all 😊. But we’re talking about basking in the glory of planet Earth’s superstar: the sun. There’s a ton of fear around UV-ray exposure and the damaging effects of the sun, particularly around skin cancer, however, every living organism—humans and their skin included—need the sun to not only survive, but thrive. This is particularly true if you have deep, melanin-rich skin, which is basically, built-in sunscreen. While topical sunscreen is fine to use, your actual clothes offer far more protection than a mineral-based lotion ever could. Of course, this is most practical the less clothes you’re wearing (bikinis/swimsuits, booty shorts, sleeveless/off-the-shoulder blouses, etc.) Practice sun bathing early in the morning, between sunrise and 8 am, if possible, with as little clothing as possible, and stay out longer the deeper your skin tone is. Sun bathe on your patio, porch or veranda and use it as quiet, meditative time for yourself so you can be present in the moment and at peace in your mind. Also take vitamin D3 supplements (they’re more effective than vitamin D2) consistently, especially if you have been diagnosed with a deficiency or insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common among African/African American/Afro Islander/Afro Latina women across the diaspora, so even if you live in a sunny, humid country/climate, you should still get tested and stay on top of your vitamin D regimen so you and your skin aren’t negatively impacted from the many, many problems (hormonal, functional, psychological) vitamin D deficiency can cause.
Incorporating most or all of these will ensure that your skin will be on point all the time. It may seem like a lot at first glance, but when you build the habit of doing these, one by one, you’ll soon find that it comes naturally to you and you don’t even have to think about it. Glowing, galactical skin will simply be a part of who you are (and want to become).
Share one way you get (and keep) your skin glowing like a light saber below. ♥
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