Learning to care for your skin is very important. Choosing the right products for your skin is equally important. When choosing your skin care products, think about your specific skin need. What does my skin need and how do I achieve my desired goal? That should be the question you should ask yourself. Choose natural skin care products:  products made predominantly of natural extracts. This page is dedicated to the common skin concerns of a typical African man or woman.

1) First and foremost, cleansing the skin properly is the first step to a clear and healthy skin. Opt for a simple cleanser. However one that is neither drying nor greasy. Properly cleansing the skin ensures pore-clogging dirt is removed from the skin.This is especially true at bedtime. Skin should feel clean, fresh and hydrated after a good cleansing. There should not be a squeaky feel and there should not be a feeling of a film left on the skin. So choose your cleanser properly.

2) Exfoliating the skin is 2nd in importance, after cleansing. Ethnic skin types tend to build up dead cells faster than other skin types because of slower cell turnovers. Exfoliation ensures smoother appearance as it removes dead skin cells that make the skin appear rough. Choose an exfoliating product that is ideal for your skin type.

3) Moisturizing the skin is 3rd in our list. Choosing the right moisturizer is very important. Simple is the best way to go when looking for good moisture for your ethnic skin. Choose one that suits your skin type. Dry skin should choose a hydrating moisturizer that also contains one or two plant oils. While an oily skin should choose an oil-free moisturizer that is very hydrating. Yes oily skin do need moisture, but not oil, as your skin is doing a good producing its own natural oil.

4) Uneven skin tone is one of the biggest issues that plague the African skin. This is due to the skin's rich melanin content. Understanding how to choose a product that evens out the skin tone is very important. Do not attempt to bleach your skin. This is especially applicable to people with dark skin. It will make your skin complexion uneven. People often confuse skin lightening with skin bleaching. They are not the same. Skin bleaching is when you are attempting to change your natural skin color. Skin lightening on the other hand is a broader term that means several thing, depending on your intentions. You may just want to even-out your overall tone or brighten up faded complexion. You may also want to remove spots from any part of your skin. Choose a product that addresses your specific skin pigmentation need. When choosing a product to care for your complexion, you need to choose the products that slow down the production of melanin naturally. Remember, skin lightening with natural products takes time. Be patient and quit jumping around from brand to brand. Patience and consistency is the key to successfully evening out your complexion. You will know if a product is working on your skin within one month. if you see any results within one month, any results at all, stick with the product for optimal results. If you do not see any results after 6 weeks, stop and try another brand. Remember also, that constant changing of products could also get your skin confused and might cause other skin reactions.

5) Many people think that African skin does not require sunscreen, but this is not true. People of African descent can get skin cancers just like any other population. The sun can also damage skin, causing pigment changes and wrinkles. Protect your ethnic skin and your overall health by using sunscreen before heading out into the sun. Use a good moisturizer with sunscreen properties. Make sure you are protected against UVA/UVB exposure by choosing products that contain the proper ingredients.

6) Use caution when choosing cosmetics. A beautiful, healthy skin needs little or no make up. Try to stick to mineral-based products if you choose to wear makeup. Mineral-based products will not clog pores in the way that traditional makeup does, nor do they contain drying alcohol or other irritants. When possible, go without makeup and let your skin's natural beauty shine through.

The beautiful thing about ethnic skin is that it ages slower than most other skin types. This is because the ethnic skin is more resilient to external stresses and the rich melanin content offers better protection against damaging effects of the sun. Another way your African skin is protected by nature from Africa's tropical weather. It does not mean that African skin is completely protected from sun damage. It simply means your African skin is better able to protect itself from sun damage. When you exfoliate your skin to make it smoother and nicer, you remove the topmost layers that make the skin look dull and rough. It becomes imperative that you apply sun protection to protect your newly revealed skin layer from the sun. Use a good anti aging product and you will maintain your youthfulness for a very long time.

Love your skin, cherish your complexion, nurture and protect it. Choose your skincare products carefully and wisely. Most importantly be informed. Knowledge is power.