That once or twice a week face mask is a real treat for many. This skincare routine really helps retain the skin’s radiant bloom. Face masks are essential in keeping the skin retain its youthful glow and without the right face mask, your skincare routine will and surely be incomplete.
However, one of the most common questions we always hear is, do African American skin need a special skincare routine? To find out, continue reading this post and discover amazing face masks for all types of African American skin
Do African American Skin Need Special Skincare?
No, African American skin doesn’t really need a special skincare routine. You see, the only difference between dark skin and light skin is the melanin content or the component that gives our skin color. African American skin has more melanin giving their skin that darker hue while light skin has only a few melanin.
However, what many don’t realize is that darker skin has a stronger more natural protection against the sun. Aside from the difference in the amount of melanin on the skin, one difference between light and dark skin is the response of the skin to sunlight or UV rays.
Those with lighter skin tend to be more prone to sunburns, some even get bad sunburns where the skin gets inflamed and burns red while others get a tanning or browning sensation. Those with darker skin have a lesser effect of the sun on the skin due to its stronger protection against UV rays.
What are the Common Problems with African American Skin?
We can’t avoid that different skin colors are more prone to certain types of skin problems and darker skin colors are not an exemption.
Oily Skin and Acne
African American skin tends to produce more oil than lighter skin. This results in clogged pores and also makes your skin prone to breakouts and acne. Acne is a very common problem even with lighter skin color, however, it seems to be the number one most common problem for dark skin.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Also known as PIH, this condition is a discoloration of the skin caused by inflammation. This is usually due to acne but it can also be caused by inflammation from allergic reactions. PIH comes in the form of dark spots, they can also be seen as the manifestation of acne scars on dark skin.
Melasma
This is a common condition for many mothers. This often happens when black women get pregnant hence getting the nickname, ‘mask of pregnancy’. However, anyone can get this skin condition especially those in the age group between 20-40.
What are the best face masks for African American skin?
African American skin is no different from other types of skin and skin color. The only difference is address what type of skin problems you want to address or what general skin type you have. We’ve divided this set of face masks according to the different types of skin.
Best Face Masks for Dry Skin
Bliss – Mighty Marshmallow Face Mask
Suffering from lackluster skin? Revive your dull and dry skin with a light and airy whipped facial mask. For only 10-15 minutes, feel the difference with this marshmallow root face mask designed to bring a surge of moisture to your dull skin from within. Brighten and illuminate your skin as well as even out your skin tone with this Bliss Face Mask.
Celavi Collagen Facial Face Mask
Brighten, tighten, and lighten your skin with a powerful moisturizing face mask. Ready to use regularly, reduce the hassle of washing or peeling off a face mask from your skin thus reducing the effect of a powerful hydro-boost. The Celavi Face Mask collection gives you a plethora of ingredients that individually helps restore your skin natural glow by locking an and boosting moisture from within your skin.
ORGANIC Hydrating Clay Face Mask by Blossom Hill
Blossom Hill has rolled out a soothing face mask that helps target dry skin with a mixture of organic rosehip oil, botanical hyaluronic, and glycolic acid. This hydrating and purifying mask contains antioxidants and a rich blend of healing oils and vitamins to nourish a dull dry complexion.
Advanced Clinicals Rosewater Mask for Dry Skin
Transform your dry skin with a hydrogel face mask made with Bulgarian Rose and Blueberry Extracts. You are guaranteed to increase your skin’s natural hydration by up to 88%. This is also a calming and soothing face mask that really reduces redness and inflammation caused by irritants on dry skin.
Ebanel 15 Pack Collagen Face Mask
Get instant hydration for your dry skin with the Ebanel face mask. Perfect for African American skin that suffers from mild to extreme dryness, this is the perfect mask to keep your skin looking plump. Reduce the appearance of redness and inflammation with a cooling soothing formula designed to also reduce fine lines.
Verdict
If you’re an African American who really suffers from dry skin, you’ll love our selection but we highly recommend that you get the RoseWater Mask by Advanced Clinicals because it’s designed to hydrate dull skin while also targeting the problems caused by dryness.
Best Face Masks for Sensitive and Acne-Prone Skin
MAJESTIC PURE Dead Sea Mud Mask
Put a plethora of minerals and nutrients to your skin to improve your skin’s protective barrier with a Dead Sea Mud Mask. Clear out your pores from blackheads, whiteheads, and acne-causing impurities with a mud mask that does a deep pore cleansing while restoring the skin’s natural beauty with a high concentration of salts and minerals.
Plantifique Store Dead Sea Mud Mask with Avocado & Superfoods
Who wouldn’t love the perfect combination of superfoods, mud masks, and avocado on your skin? Restore your beautiful dark complexion while actively reducing all possible reasons to give your skin a breakout. Ideal for sensitive skin, this formula by Plantifique detoxifies, nourishes, and purifies your skin while leaving it a natural glow.
Indian Healing Clay Face Mask
When your skin has acne, it’s inflamed and because it becomes increasingly sensitive, the best is to start treating it with a deep cleansing bentonite clay that actively targets acne by purifying the skin. At the same time, it also helps your skin heal from the damage caused by acne and adds a protective layer of hydration to your skin to lessen future breakouts.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Face Mask
Adored by many across the world, this bentonite clay face mask is a purifying face mask that strips your skin free of impurities that irritate sensitive skin. This DIY facial is a great mask that really helps remove acne while leaving your delicate skin clean from impurities.
Scobuty Blackhead Peel-off Mask
Use a gentle peel off mask to remove the impurities from your delicate skin. Made with aloe vera, it’s a gentle mask perfect for dark skin tones and acne prone skin. It’s packed with nourishing nutrients that effectively removes blackheads and whiteheads and locks the clean pores preventing impurities from entering.
Verdict
Sensitive skin needs a great deal of protection and cleansing and we found that the Plantifique Dead Sea Mud Mask with Avocado and Superfoods is the perfect formula to help African American skin who suffers from sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Best Face Masks for Oily Skin
Cetaphil Pro Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Mask With bentonite Clay For Oily
Uneven skin tone and oily skin? Pamper your skin with a luxurious face mask designed to reduce excess sebum production. The Bentonite clay absorbs excess il without stripping your skin’s natural oil while also removing impurities from your pores. The Amazonian clay lifts away dead skin cells giving your skin a gentle exfoliation.
Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Exfoliating Mask
Have a gentle exfoliating mask formulated with pumpkin honey glycolic solution that deep cleanses your skin to remove impurities causing pimples. While purifying your skin, this mask smooths your skin as it nourishes and enriches your skin leaving you with a soft and smooth skin.
New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body
Formulated with an herbal complex of aloe-vera, calendula oil, vitamin E, sunflower seed and jojoba oil in this dead sea mud mask, it pulls out the impurities from your face while actively packing your skin with nourishing vitamins and minerals. Reduce the appearance of large pores from your face and get a radiant glow after a deep cleanse.
Freeman Facial Mask Variety Pack
Choose from a variety of specialized masks individually designed to target common African american skin problems from uneven skin tones to discolorations and especially oily skin. They purify and absorb oily skin while moisturizing your skin from deep within.
Pure Body Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body
Gently neutralize your excess sebum production with a mineral-infused dead sea mud mask and enriched with jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and shea butter. Not only will it clear your skin from oil build up it will also nourish it and bring back it’s natural less oily luster.
Verdict
Dark skin tends to produce excess oil and this can cause a multitude of problems, we’ve listed great facial masks that target these problems and we especially like the New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body.
Best Face Masks for Uneven Skin Tone and Dark Spots
Green Tea Matcha Facial Mud Mask by Once Upon a Tea
Rich with antioxidants, this mask gives you a pampering Spa feeling as it deep cleanses, nourishes, and evens out your skin tone. Reduce the appearance of dark spots as it improves the quality of your skin thus reducing discoloration and more.
Olay Vitamin C Face Mask Kit
This powerful face mask is enriched with AHA, Vitamin C and hydrated silica that work together to gently lift off the impurities and peel off the old skin bringing out fresh and a more evenly pigmented skin. This two step mask is your absolute solution for a natural peel and a nourishing face mask giving your skin lift and beautiful glow.
Turmeric Face Mask For Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots
Powered by turmeric, a known herbal treatment for uneven skin tone, brings out your natural glow with a moisturizing face mask that also acts as a natural color corrector.
OZNaturals Hydrating Face Mask
This powerful boost can help renew your skin giving you a naturally even skin tone. The power of vitamin C and Kelp will ensure your skin’s radiance leaving you with a plumper softer skin.
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Mask
Clarify, balance, and smooth your blemished skin. The tamarind extract is what acts as a natural astringent that evens out your skin tone by lifting your old skin off leaving the fresh younger more even colored skin underneath.
Verdict
Uneven skin tone is very evident with dark skin so choosing the best mask to even out your skin is more effective than using facial washes that claim the same result. We absolutely love the Olay Vitamin C Face Mask because not only is it effective it also encourages a healthy collagen production.
