Caring For Black Skin in Your Diet and Skincare Regime

Special Skincare Treats for Black Skin

I've often wondered if black skin benefits from different skincare ingredients, after all skin is skin, right? Well, yes but as well as using products for your skin type you should ideally look for skincare ingredients that are more beneficial for your skin colour.

Personally, my black skin responds best to nutrient rich paraben free, natural and organic skincare products as these products that do not contain chemicals such as sodium methyl paraben which can cause de-pigmentation in darker skin, or petroleum jellies which can cause hyper-pigmentation. Both of these conditions result in an uneven skin tone which is likely to be more apparent in black skin.

It was Mother's Day in the UK recently and I was talking to my mother about skincare products. I was complimenting her on her wonderful, spotless, even and smooth skin. She replied that from an early age she used coconut oil on her skin, to wash her hair and in her diet. Her mother use to make virgin coconut oil from coconuts picked daily from the trees on their land. Our family have used it throughout our lives as a skincare and cooking ingredient.

So,what is so special about coconut oil as a skincare ingredients and why is it so good, in particular for black skin? Well, it's skincare benefits are endless. It wards off sun damage, prevents premature aging, reduces age spots, soothes chapped lips, heals hard skin on the feet and is high in anti-aging anti-oxidants. I could go on forever about how wonderful coconut oil is - no wonder the coconut tree is called the 'tree of life'! It's numerous properties make it a highly compatible ingredient for black skin. 

Thea Skincare Super Nourish range is packed with coconut oil alongside other moisturising natural oils such as Jojoba and Palm oils. These combined with other natural ingredients such as organic Aloe, Vitamins A and C and avocado make it the perfect range for black skin.

Another favourite ingredient of mine is avocado, I just love it. It's taste, colour and cooking flexibility make it an awesome ingredient both for the skin and for the diet. Avocado originates from South America and is a fantastic skincare ingredient for black skin. It helps to protect your skin from the sun, has superior moisturising effects and has excellent skin regeneration properties. The South Americans called it the 'Alligator Pear'. It's also a rich source of Vitamins A, B, D and E and contains more potassium, known as the 'youth mineral', than the banana. It's just a wonderful and rich ingredient that's really great for black skin.

Papaya, papaya, papaya! This is one of my all time favourite fruits. It's taste is amazing and is one of the most beneficial skin care ingredients that I have come across. It's rich in antioxidants and also contains enzymes called Papain which have a natural exfoliation and skin brightening effect on the skin. This fruit is better than gold for me and it helps to produce wonderful clear skin. Papaya is a must have ingredient for black skin. Thea Skincare products include an organic papaya and pineapple exfoliation face mask which is excellent for getting rid of those dead, dull skin cells and promotes natural skin renewal.

As well as feeding your skin from the outside you need to nourish it from within too. Here's one of my favourite summer recipes using my favourite skincare ingredients, go on try it - a healthy, balanced diet full of nutrient-rich, natural ingredients is essential for healthy, glowing skin.

Avocado and Papaya Salad Recipe

It's so simple!

Mix herb salad leaves with wild rocket in a salad bowl

Peel and cut a fresh ripe avocado into cubes and add to the leaves

Peel and de-seed a ripe Papaya and cut into cubes

Add to the leaves and avocado and toss all the ingredients

Drizzle with Virgin Coconut or Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Serve with crusty organic bread, Ciabatta or Pitta bread.

Delicious - enjoy!!