Fun fact: Dark spots on black skin is caused by excess melanin production. It occurs for a number of reasons – from acne scars to sun damage to inflammation – but there are plenty of ways to get that skin back in better shape. As always, before you begin to try beauty products, you need to determine what kind of skin you, be it oily, dry or combination. Then you have to find the problems you have with your skin and what you would like to correct. After that, you can begin the process of trying new products to see what works best for you. You have to remember, everyone’s skin is different so something that works great for someone, might not work on you. Don’t be afraid to try something that might not yield any results.
To combat dark spots, here are the best beauty products we recommend trying:
1. Cleanser
Depending on what kind of skin you have, there are certain kinds of cleansers to make sure your skin doesn’t get stripped of its natural oils. If you strip your face of its natural oils, your body will scramble to create more, making you look more oily than normal.
For oily skin:
Sunday Riley Micro-Dissolve Cleansing Oil
Dermalogica Precleanse
For Dry Skin/Sensitive Skin:
La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Cleanser
2. Micellar Water
This useful product helps get rid of any leftover dirt or grime. If you have sensitive skin, this is a great way to get your face clean.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
3. Toners
After cleansing, you need to add back what those cleansers took away – valuable nutrients and antioxidants. Great toners will give you just what you need.
Ole Henriksen Dark Spot Toner
Murad Clarifying Toner
4. Serums and Oils
If you’re looking for products on the cheaper side, try The Ordinary. They have a ton of products and skincare professionals RAVE about their products and their products are $10 at most! If you don’t mind splurging for some good serums, we’ve also got you covered on that front.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum (On the pricier side)
Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
5. Face Masks
Get a glass of wine poured, put on that face mask and watch an episode of your favorite show. They are an easy way to relax and give your skin exactly what it’s been missing!
Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Clay
Origins Active Charcoal Mask
6. Exfoliators
Exfoliation is just as important as cleansing. Every three days, get out that exfoliator and scrub away any dead skin and let that new skins flourish!
St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator
What are you planning on trying? Let us know if you have a favorite on the list or if we missed on that’s worth putting on!
Moises is a full-time graduate student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY reporting mainly on food and restaurants but maintains overall emphasis on arts and culture.