The Ultimate Latina Skincare Guide for Oily Skin
THE ULTIMATE LATINA SKINCARE GUIDE : PART ONE
Honey. Caramelo. Miel. Nieve. Trigeña. Morena. There are so many different ways to describe the vibrant colors of Latina skin tones, yet despite our variety, we share many of the same skincare concerns.
Namely, Latina women typically report higher incidences of :
• Oily Skin
• Hyperpigmentation
• Mild Acne
At the top of that list? Oily skin. Si, it's true - Across the board, Latinas report oily skin as their #1 skin concern.
LET'S CUT TO THE CHASE - WHY DO LATINAS SUFFER SO MUCH FROM THESE SKINCARE CONCERNS?
Let's start from the top. What is oily skin?
Empezamos by defining what oily skin is: Oily skin is defined when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce too much sebum, leaving a person with a greasy appearance. Sebum is the waxy, oily substance that protects and hydrates the skin, but due to environmental or genetic factors, sebum production can kick into overdrive leading to congested pores.
Sebum is vital to maintaining healthy skin. However, skin with more melanin (a naturally occurring pigment that protects our skin cells from UV rays) tends to have more oil glands which explains why Latinas typically report higher incidences of oily skin! Oily skin blocks pores, which leads to acne. Picking, popping or even the existence of pimples alone will lead the skin to produce dark spots on the area as a response to injury.
Latina women are also at higher risk of hormonal disruptions, which affects the sebaceous glands. Androgens, a naturally occurring hormone, peaks right before a woman’s menstrual cycle. Androgens change the chemical makeup of skin oil, making it thicker and more likely to clog pores, which leads to acne and as a result of producing more melanin - hyperpigmentation.
While much of it is genetic, what you do and how you treat your skin can make the difference between glowing luminosity or an oil slick. If you're plowing through blotting sheets due to oily skin that just won't quit, you're probably wondering what's amiss.
There are very few things las Latinas can’t handle. So, why deal with oily skin like it’s an inevitable curse? Give yourself un despojo, from oily skin starting con las mañanitas.
PART ONE: TU GLO UP STARTS AT SUN UP
Think of it as Café con Skincare.
You leave the house with perfect skin, but by midday, you're greasier than an empanada. What gives? How you start your morning has everything to do with it. While you might be tempted to roll out of bed, wash your face with whatever's available and head out the door - te calmas, o la grasa te calma.
This isn't K-Beauty. A 12-step skincare regimen? En la mañana?! Forget it sis, ain't nobody got time for that. This is L-Beauty (short for Latina Beauty) and our regimen is an efficient, effective and affordable routine para la mujer on the go. Here's your oil-fighting morning skincare routine at a glance:
The right face wash, moisturizer and primer are your first steps in transforming skin from greasy to glowing, and it all starts with your morning routine. ¡Empezamos!
STEP 1: WASH
Glyco-que-eso? Glycolic Acid is the tesoro your skin has been waiting for. This naturally occurring AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) has the smallest molecule size in the group meaning it is able to penetrate skin deeply and easily to get the source of your excess oil production without stripping your skin of it's natural oils. Not only will it keep excess oil production in check, it exfoliates and sheds dead skin cells, fading fine lines and improving skin texture making it great for anti-aging. It's pretty much a genie in a bottle.
With 74% of oily skin sufferers reporting mild-moderate acne, we think it's also worth mentioning this gentle exfoliator acts as an acne fighter and serves as a great (and more gentle!) alternative to benzoyl peroxide, which many people find irritating.
While you might be tempted to roll out of bed, wash your face with whatever's available and head out the door - te calmas, o la grasa te calma. "
How to use: Make sure you wet your face with lukewarm water, then apply a very small amount on your face. Use your fingertips to massage the wash into your skin for about a minute before rinsing off and patting dry. This might take some getting used to, so use once or twice a week until your skin develops more of a tolerance.
Feel things out: Skin should feel soft and supple after washing it, not tight. "Squeaky-clean" skin means that it has been stripped of it's natural oils.
Bottoms up: Drink between 64 to 80 ounces of water every day to hydrate the entire body, inside and out
STEP 2: PROTECT
We're going to open this statement by saying: pero like, duh. You absolutely HAVE to practice safe sun. Sunscreen needs to be a part of your Latina skincare regimen, no matter what. No excuses, no exceptions!
Mujeres - we deserve a collective pow-pow because we tend to skip the sunscreen for several different reasons. Pero, sunscreen protects from more than just sunburns and awkward tan lines. With an SPF moisturizer, you're getting the best of both worlds: protection from that beaming sun and giving oily skin the moisture it needs.
For daytime oil control, look for a SPF facial moisturizer with Aloe Vera in the ingredients list. The natural astringent properties of this miracle plant absorbs excess oil and sebum from pores, making it a very natural light-weight moisturizer that can combat oil effectively while hydrating skin, forcing it to regulate oil production.
Don't ever go to sleep caliente. Remember, sunscreen benefits include:
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Retains your skin's ability to produce collagen
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Reduces the risk of carcinoma developing (that's the c-word, cancer)
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Reduces discoloration
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Prevents fine lines and wrinkles
...look for a SPF facial moisturizer with Aloe Vera in the ingredients list. This [sic] miracle plant absorbs excess oil and sebum from pores"
Be Choosy: Always make sure you pick up a sunscreen that specifies "broad spectrum" on the label to protect against UVB and UVA rays. We recommend at least SPF 30.
Less is NOT more: Make sure you apply at least Two (2) tablespoons of product and make sure to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure.
STEP 3: CONTROL
Ever experienced a full blown makeup meltdown before you had to clock out? When skin produces too much oil, it mixes with makeup for an uneven application that can leave you embarrassed.
Except, with the introduction of a good, silicone-free primer, this will never have to be you at your 3:00 pm meeting ever again. Think of it as un tate-quieto for makeup meltdowns. Primer is your last day-time step in ensuring unwanted shine remains at bay. For the natural mamasitas, you can leave as-is for optimized oil control.
Pero why silicone-free? We prefer silicone-free primer for it's natural finish, and, because it won't clog pores. If you suffer from oily skin, chances are that you also suffer from clogged pores which more often than not, translates to mild to moderate acne. While silicone primers have their place in your makeup bag, we do not recommend them for every day use since they are full of silicones which can suffocate your skin.
Think of silicone-free primer as un tate-quieto for makeup meltdowns and mid-day oil slicks."
Don't choose just one: There are colored primers to manage discoloration, there are silicone primers to fill in fine lines, and then there's our personal favorite for every day use: silicone-free primers.
Can be used as is: You don't need to wear a drop of makeup to use silicone-free primers! Any time you want to give your skin a breather breather and go foundation-free, primer is an excellent way to control shine.
Latinas need specialized skincare and it all starts with how you rise and shine! Now that your daytime routine is established, it's time to move on to your p.m. routine! Click on the link below to find out more.
Somos Mia del Mar, the skincare brand that focuses on Latina-specific skincare issues and treats them with Latin-American ingredients. Read more and learn why Latina Representation Matters.
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