The Skintap team of board-certified dermatologists are determined to change the way Americans do skincare, helping patients tap into their best complexion with a more personalized approach. “Your skin is as unique as your fingerprint,” says Dr. Morgana Colombo, co-founder of Skintap. “The typical one-size-fits-all approach just isn’t going to do the trick. If you want to see real results from your skincare routine, we’ve got to get more personal and create a solution specific to your needs.”
Here, the board-certified dermatologists at Skintap offer a few general tips based on patients’ ethnic background:
FOR EVERY ETHNICITY:
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Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated.
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Consume sugary, chemical-based, and processed foods in moderation.
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Enjoy the sun responsibly by using a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen daily.
FOR HISPANIC/LATINA SKIN: Prone to excess oil, breakouts are more common, along with hyperpigmentation (discoloration) from sun exposure.
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Avoid harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, opting for a gentler glycolic acid-based cleanser to keep excess oil at bay.
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Resist overwashing, which can lead to more oil production, instead cleansing just once in the morning and in the evening.
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While skin tends to age more slowly, the use of a gentle anti-aging cream can help preserve youthful skin longer.
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Be sure to use a daily UVA/UVB sunscreen to help protect from hyperpigmentation spots.
FOR ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER SKIN: A larger number of sebaceous (oil) glands make skin more prone to oil and breakouts, while a thinner outer skin layer loses moisture more quickly and can scar easily.
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Keep pores clear using gentle, water-based cleansers, avoiding ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, benzene, or hydroquinone that can dry out the skin.
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Resist picking at acne or over-exfoliating to protect skin from scarring.
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Moisturize often using products with water-binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid or an emulsion - a lighter, water-based alternative to heavy creams that is more easily absorbed by the skin.
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Wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen daily, as more melanin makes skin less prone to sunburn but more prone to pigmentary disorders (melasma, hyperpigmentation, freckles, or age spots) and just as vulnerable to cancer.
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While skin tends to age more slowly, the use of a gentle anti-aging cream can help preserve youthful skin longer.
FOR BLACK SKIN: More melanin makes any inflammation/injury or hyperpigmentation/discoloration more noticeable and ingrown hairs are more common due to curled follicle.
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Cleanse, moisturize, and use broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen daily, as darker skin is just as vulnerable to skin damage/cancer.
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Reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation/dark spots (from acne and other damage) with gentle retinoids, hydroquinone, kojic acid, or vitamin C.
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Resist over-exfoliation, as it can lead to scarring.
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Keep ingrown hairs at bay by cleaning, gently exfoliating, and warming the skin before shaving with a single-blade razor - avoid moisturizing with skin oils, which can clog the pores and make matters worse.