6 Tips to avoid Acne Breakouts on African American skin
1. Eat More Clean and more Green. Many African American women who get acne are getting it from the inside rather than the outside. You may be using all the correct products and have been keeping you face perfectly cleansed and exfoliated but are still seeing that darn acne.
Its your diet. Many say its what you are eating but most times its what you are "Not" eating. Try eating more green veggies (not green beans lol). But try veggies like kale and spinach. These are some of the more bitter vegetables but can taste great in a salad.
Don't worry you dont have to eat to much of them because just a little will do the trick. Try it! You will see a big difference in your skin tone and much less acne.
2. Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have acne, it's important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin's surface. Washing more often than twice daily is not necessarily better; it may do more harm than good. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can hurt already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.
Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, an exfoliating glove, or loofah (a coarse-textured sponge). Gently wash it with a very soft cloth or your hands. Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.) Also, use the washcloth only once.
3. Moisturize. Many acne products contain ingredients that make African American skin too dry or too oily, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and does not make your skin oily. Look for "noncomedogenic" on the label, which means it should not cause acne. There are moisturizers made for oily, dry, or combination skin. (All Tonae products are noncomedogenic and do not cause acne)
4. Try an over-the-counter exfoliation method. Sugar scrubs don't need a prescription. Most of them have ingredients such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which curb bacteria and keep your skin from being oily.
5. Use makeup sparingly. During a breakout, avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush. If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day with a sugar scrub to make sure all of the makeup has been removed from the pores.
If possible, choose oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Choose makeup that is labeled as "noncomedogenic," meaning it should not cause acne. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying.
6. Watch what you put on your hair. Avoid using fragrances, oils, pomades, or gels on your hair. If they get on your face, they can block your skin's pores and irritate your skin (forehead acne).
Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. You want moisturized hair not oily hair. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face. Got long hair? Keep it pulled away from your face.