Talking about skincare on the internet has its moments of triumph and of course its moments of turmoil. I felt compelled to write out these 10 Skin Commandments so we as a skincare-loving community have a set of guidelines to go by. Enjoy!
1. Thou shall wear sunscreen.
The sun’s harmful rays are the biggest culprit behind collagen breakdown. Collagen is the protein in the skin that keeps it “snatched” aka taut. Guess what happens when it breaks down? Sag city, baby (and I’m not talking about people born late November to mid December).
Sunscreen usage is important FOR ALL SKIN TONES. Melanin has AT MOST an SPF of maybe like 8-12. That’s AT MOST and many of us won’t even get to the maximum side of that little bit of SPF. While deeper skin tones may not get skin cancers as much as our white counterparts, when we do get it, it often goes unchecked and progresses much faster.
Another reason to slather on the sunscreen is because of your skincare routine. If you’re on the quest to fade dark spots or other discoloration, you don’t want all your efforts to go down the drain because the discoloration gets darker from sun exposure.
There are also skincare products that make your skin more sensitive to the sun. So there’s that.
Sun exposure is cumulative meaning every little bit adds up over time. Going out for “just a 10 minute walk” requires sunscreen. Also be mindful of sun exposure you get through windows. This can happen when you’re driving or even if you’re home and you work near a window.
I’ve tested a number of sunscreens over the years that don’t leave an ashy cast on the skin. One of the reasons why many don’t wear sunscreen is because it leaves an awful cast, it’s too heavy/greasy, or it smells terrible. It may take a bit of trial and error, but finding a sunscreen you love is important because then you’ll actually wear it. Check out my non-ashy sunscreen archives for some that I’ve tried. Also, there are some people who are allergic to sunscreen, but some don’t realize it’s chemical sunscreens that causes the irritation. In this case, you might want to look into physical sunscreens. I’ve tried some that aren’t ashy on dark skin, so check out this post and subscribe to my YouTube channel as I have some Korean physical sunscreens I’ll be trying out there, too.
2. Thou shall be consistent with your routine.
If there is one thing (and there are many…lol) that keep people from seeing results from a skincare routine, it’s not being consistent. Yes, it may seem difficult at first, but start out with the basics first. Just because your favorite Instagrammer or YouTuber has a 15-step skincare routine, doesn’t mean you need to have one, too.
A basic skincare routine involves 1. cleansing with a gentle cleanser for your skin type 2. using a treatment product for your current skin issues (note that some treatment products aren’t used daily) and 3. moisturizing (add SPF during the day). And periodic exfoliation. Dassit. No need to get fancy from the beginning. Get the basics down first and then you can do add-ons.
3. Thou shall read label directions
The directions are there for a reason, my good folks. Sure, there are some off-label hacks one can do with products (i.e. using a deep pore mask just in your T-zone and a hydrating mask elsewhere), but for the most part you want to read the directions. Should you use the product daily, once a week, 1-2x a week, etc? Should you use it day or night? How long should you keep it on? All of the questions you have about how to use a product are often found right on the label or on the brand’s website.
4. Thou shall not judge they neighbor’s skin
If there’s one thing I can’t stand is a skin-shamer giving unsolicited advice. Live and let live, man. People have mirrors and are quite aware of what’s going on with their face. They more than likely don’t need your two cents unless they specifically ask you.
5. Thou shall see a skincare professional
Listen, the internet will have you thinking EVERYTHING is a DIY, but when it comes to your skin, you DO NOT have to go it alone. BUT when choosing the right skincare professional, you definitely want to (among many other criteria) make sure they have RECEIPTS that they work extensively on skin of color. Many procedures/treatments cannot be performed the same on skin of color as it can on caucasian skin. If your dermatologist or esthetician says they don’t see color, RUN, boo.
Speaking of dermatologists and estheticians, check out my Instagram post below which details the differences between the two and who to see for what. Also, FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM :)
6. Thou shall have patience.
Most things in skincare take time and you will need to have a huge bag of patience. For example, fading dark spots? You’ll need to give it at least 6-8 weeks before you start to see results with over the counter treatments containing 2% hydroquinone. If you’re using a non-hydroquinone over-the-counter treatment like licorice root or kojic acid, that time jumps to 8-12 weeks.
Some things have a quicker turnaround time. For instance, you can see results sometimes instantly to about a week after correctly using some chemical exfoliants or at-home peels. Or if you just started using a new deeply hydrating product, you may actually feel a difference in your skin by the morning.
But for the most part, relax and take a chill pill, sis. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
7. Thou shall not sleep in your makeup.
Yes, that beat was SITTING but you don’t want all that makeup sitting on your face as you sleep. Not only can it damage your bedding, but when we sleep the skin goes through a self-renewal process and looks to the surface to pull in nutrients. Last thing you need is for your skin to get pissed at you because you only gave it highlight and contour.
You can read more about proper makeup removal in this post.
8. Thou shall wear moisturizer.
EVERY. SKIN. TYPE. NEEDS. MOISTURIZER. INCLUDING. OILY. SKIN.
My oily skin sistren, some of you self-sabotage with your skincare routines. Some of you do the most to prevent oil, but you’re actually creating more of it. Oily skin can get dehydrated and when it does, it produces more oil to compensate.
There’s a great reason why there are 984,284,679,221 moisturizers out there: there is one (or more) out there that work for your skin. Everything from water creams that hydrate the skin yet feel like nothing on to very rich and creamy moisturizers. There’s a moisturizer (humectant, emollient, occlusive) out there for damn near every occasion.
You can see which moisturizers I’ve tried here.9. Thou shall switch it up.
Our skincare needs change as we get older and even from season to season. For instance, my oily skin has gotten less oily as I’ve gotten older. It’s still oily but not OILY oily. So now I look for hydration and moisture to protect my skin but that won’t overpower it.
Your skin needs can also change from season to season. Typically you need to switch out your moisturizer when going from warmer months to the colder months and vice versa. You can read more about that here.
10. Thou shall give yourself some grace.
Yes, having a skincare routine is important to the health of your skin, but if you get breakouts, get dark spots, don’t have an even skin tone, etc. it’s not the end of the world. I think we need to realize that we all have different ideals of “beautiful skin.” For some, just being able to find the time to cleanse and moisturize is nothing short of a miracle. We go through a lot from stress to depression to juggling work and home to raising kids—we do the MOST. Give yourself some grace, darling.
I also would like us to change the way we think about skin and talk about our own skin. I feel too many people look at breakouts and hyperpigmentation as something someone did “wrong.” There is SO much at play: hormones, genetics, budget, access, etc. Give yourself and others some GRACE, please.
Leave your pledge of allegiance to these skin commandments in the comments below!
If you’re wondering what I’m holding on my face in the main image, watch my Youtube video below! And SUBSCRIBE to my channel!
Dear Danielle,
GREAT article! Do you have any recommendation for dark spots on the body. I have a few bruises that pops up on both my legs below the knees.
Author
Hi Trecia! Thanks so much!
Try Mederma Overnight Scar Cream—it can help fade scars on the body even older ones but takes consistency and patience because it could take up to 6 months to see results.