Skin School

Busting Black Skin Myths

Myth #1

We asked our community which Black Skin Myth they would like explained, and a whopping 84% of you chose “Black soap dries up acne and oily skin”.

Black Soap has been around for a long time, originating from the Yoruba people, but has recently picked up a lot of publicity and opened a lot of discussion.

Although African Black Soap does have a lot of healing properties, we feel it’s important to highlight that like every other product, it is not for every skin type, and can have negative impacts when used incorrectly.

African Black Soap is more of an exfoliating cleanser, so should be used (alongside a gentle cleanser) up to 2-3 times a week - and no more. The skin can become dry, sensitive or irritated if overused.

P.S. It’s important to monitor how your skin reacts after using new products!

On the other hand, when used properly Black African Soap has proved helpful for many; brightening the skin and removing bacteria which assists acne. It can also be useful for body acne!

We recommend:

-African Black Soap

Myth #2

Next up is “Brown skin doesn’t need sunscreen”. Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of skincare for EVERY skin colour. Just because brown skin may not seem visibly burnt or damaged, the sun can still have many detrimental effects, including ageing, hyperpigmentation and in some cases, cancer. Remember to wear (and reapply) an SPF that’s suitable for your skin type everyday, even when it’s cloudy! If you’re unsure of your skin type, take our skincare quiz.

We recommend:

Black Girl Sunscreen - for Dry Skin

Daylight Invincible Cream - for Combination / Normal Skin

Ultra Sheer Defence SPF 50 - for Oily Skin

Myth #3

Related to the previous myth, we have: “The sun charges melanin to keep brown skin brown.” Although this may seem obvious to some: melanin is not created by the sun and certainly can not be charged.

If you have already been affected by the sun and have dark patches on the skin, we recommend these products for hyperpigmentation:

-Vitamin C Serum

-Tumeric Mask

Myth #4

We have definitely all heard the saying “Black don’t crack”, and yes there may be SOME truth behind this, as melanosomes in black skin tend to age slower, compared to those in white skin. However, if you are not taking extra care of your skin, it will eventually… ‘CRACK’. So, make sure you are using a consistent, skin type appropriate routine throughout every stage of your life.