BSD’S Guide to a Summer Body Glow
Getting an all over glow on Black skin is easy once you have the right routine in place.
Though the British summer time sunshine can be fleeting, this is the time of year that we switch up our wardrobe and show a limb or two so, naturally we want our skin to glow. This isn’t necessarily about tanning, in fact far from it (read more about SPF best practices here) it’s about the right routine of exfoliate, protect and moisture that’s really going to get your skin glowing and feeling the best.
For our Black skin, dry rough textured skin and skin conditions like Keratosis Pilaris, eczema and psoriasis can make us wary about exposing our skin and lead us to cover up, when in fact, we should be keeping layers light and minimal to stay cool.
So, if you’re worried about your skin looking dull and lacklustre in the heat, we’ve put together the Black Skin Directory three step short cut to smooth, even and radiant skin so we can see that body glow!
DRY BODY BRUSHING
If there’s any habit you need to develop this summer it’s dry body brushing, daily, pre-shower. It may feel a bit alien scrubbing without water but it’ll make a huge difference to the way you glow. Try dry body brushing the areas that can look a little dull and carry water– usually thighs and arms. Brush upwards and inwards towards the heart. This practice will invigorate the skin, dislodge dead skin cells, improve circulation and encourage better lymphatic drainage.
Hydréa London Lymphatic Detox Brush with Natural Bristle & Rubber Nodules
The combination of natural bristles and rubber nodules makes this brush ideal for sloughing off dead skin easily whilst stimulating blood flow. It comes with a hand support so it’s comfortable to hold.
FURTHER EXFOLIATION
For really stubborn scaly skin, a two-step approach to exfoliation is very effective, so team dry body brushing with scrubs, chemically exfoliating shower gel or body lotion. Whatever duo you prefer it acts as a one-two punch for obliterating scaly skin, just make sure the step that’s not exfoliating is nourishing so skin keeps its integrity.
Body scrub – Sugar, salt and grainy body scrubs are all traditional scrub types and all work well for creating a body glow. Dr Ejikeme, founder of Adonia Medical Centre is a fan of a physical scrub top to toe, and notes brand Cane & Austin as a favourite. “I love the Cane & Austin Glycolic Acid Scrub,” she says. “Glycolic is an exfoliating acid from sugar cane and this scrub is gentle enough to be used 1-2 times a week. Over time it smoothens the skin and for darker skin it helps to blend skin tone and reduce mild irregularities on the skin.”
Exfoliating body wash – Shower gels without a physical scrub element can still be exfoliating. Look out for ingredients such as glycolic acid and lactic acid which gently nibble away at dead skin cells.
Exfoliating body lotion – Applying an exfoliating body lotion twice a day will ensure your skin is super soft and glowing but if you’re going to only moisturise once a day at night-time will be your better pick as the skin regenerates itself as you sleep – they don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing! Look out for similar ingredients as with exfoliating body washes.
A buy like the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion or the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion will really help with exfoliation while maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
The key here is to exfoliate in stages, including a humectant-based product, so your skin holds on to hydration and doesn’t become aggravated with the exfoliating. Cleanse with a nourishing body wash such as the Ameliorate Nourishing Body Wash which is soap-free and pH-balanced – so doesn't dry out your skin and a unique hydrating complex to keep skin moisturised throughout the day. Well-hydrated skin will always appear more even-toned and healthier than rough dry skin, so using a light combination of emollients and oils will help to lock and seal moisture into the skin and give a true radiance.
AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion
The lactic acid in the formula boosts exfoliation, but at the same time the brand’s LaH6 skin hydration complex and sweet almond oil encourages moisture, so you’re getting the best of both worlds.
AMELIORATE Nourishing Body Wash
A soap-free formula with a hydration complex to lock in moisture.
REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
This clever serum contains lactic acid to gently resurface skin and pro-biotics to help strengthen the skin barrier.
ESPA Detoxifying Salt Scrub
Cleanse and exfoliate at once with this super refreshing but nourishing scrub. It contains grapefruit, cypress and eucalyptus with a base of sweet almond oil.
Just remember, when using AHAs be diligent with your SPF!
MOISTURISING
Immediately after showering, whilst skin is still damp, apply a rich moisturiser specially formulated for dry skin. Look out for those made with ingredients like moisturise-grabbing hyaluronic acid, shea butter and macadamia oil to deeply nourish the skin. The combination of these steps will guarantee an all over glow.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion
A fast-absorbing lotion that nourishes like a cream but sinks in quickly.
The time that you moisturise is honestly key to how well your moisturiser absorbs into skin. Applying anything to dry skin will take longer to penetrate. If you have time, sealing moisturiser in with a body oil post-shower, will leave skin looking smoother and feeling beyond supple and radiant.
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