Simple Acne Skincare Tips for Darker Skin Tones

It’s a great day to give yourself a huge smile while starting your skin routine!

First and foremost, what even causes an Acne Breakout?

An acne breakout is caused by a trifecta of offensive invaders: bacteria, oil, and dead skin. And they don’t do the dirty work independently! Rather, this shameless squad meets up regularly, concocting their best-laid plans to ravage your face and confidence. Step one, your pores erupt with oil. Number two, the bacteria seeps in, and, as if through a taffy machine, makes the oily pores gluey! And then, to top it all off, dead skin is dragged over to join this mushy mass! Now your pores are both oily AND blocked! Gross, right? Especially when they then breed and spread.

It never seems to be one-and-done, does it?

But you are a strong, independent woman, ready to take control of your skincare routine, one step (and one win) at a time! However, keep in mind that there are a lot of misconceptions out there, so we need to separate the truth from the rumors, and the success from the substandard.

For example, many people think exfoliating your face furiously might scrub away the infection. Sadly, it just exacerbates the problem. Why? Because although you might scrape off some of the dead skin on the surface, you’re still not addressing the oil and the bacteria boiling at its core! Also, stripping your skin with astringents, which irritate your naturally produced oil, makes it worse, and can cause that oil to bubble - and double!

🔉 We interrupt this program with a quick reminder to never, ever pick, pop or squeeze your acne - it can cause it to spread, and delay healing! Remember, you deserve to take care of yourself with products that are as kind and team oriented as your OBGYN team. So go gentle, on yourself, and on your team.

How Does Acne Affect Dark Skin Tones Differently?

Popping pimples? Please don’t!

How does acne affect darker skin tones differently?

Acne affects millions, yet research shows that acne can pose special challenges in people with darker skin.. Just one breakout can set off a catalyst - the release of melanin, which is your body’s natural pigmentation. Melanin can be both friend and foe. As a friend, it protects us from damaging ultraviolet radiation, freckles and potential cancer while we take our PTO on the beach (especially when layered with sunscreen - sun never helps skin issues, in fact it can exacerbate them!). It can also protect our skin from inflammation!

However, when the skin is provoked due to the aforementioned trifecta of miscreants, or through the harsh treatments we unknowingly attempt on this already delicate situation, our skin releases hyperpigmentation melanin (PIH), which can result in dark spots, which can last longer than the acne itself. Scarring and even keloids (multiplying scar tissue) can develop from the inflammation and can last months, sometimes years! So then, how do we treat acne in darker skin? Or better yet, prevent it? To help improve, minimize, or even prevent all of these troublesome trespassers, we recommend the following three approaches, which, let’s call “TAP!”

1. Be TIMELY

2. Be AGGRESSIVE (but gentle :)

3. Be PREVENTATIVE

Be TIMELY:

Awareness is key. Dark spots induced by blemishes often last much longer than the acne itself.. Therefore, get ahead of the game. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face when waking, before bed, and after sweating. One way to make washing your face a revitalizing part of your skincare routine is by using our Claryifying Hydration Dew - spraying several refreshing spritzes on your face (don’t dry! Leave it dewy!), and then immediately apply your Radiant Cleansing Nectar. Then, using our soft cotton pads, absorb the moisture and anything that comes off with it. Then throw that cotton pad in the garbage, and rejoice the exodus of sweat, dirt, and bacteria! Start your day, night routine, or your post-workout strut, with a fresh face. It also evens out your complexion!

Loveliness abounds when using our Clarifying Hydration Dew, either upon waking or after a workout, and leaving on your face to then move onto the Radiant Cleansing Nectar! Soooo refreshing!

Then use our gentle Radiant Cleansing Nectar after spraying your face with our Clarifying Hydration Dew. Look at the colors in that bottle!

Be Aggressive - but Gentle.

We know “aggressive but gentle” sounds like a dichotomy, but it’s truly attainable when you stay vigilant while using soothing, compassionate products. A great example of this is the Illuminating Essence Exfoliating Mask, which goes in like a bulldozer and extracts the oleaginous combination of dead skin, toxins, and bacteria, but by using the dreamiest of ingredients - Cloudberry Oil, Volcanic Ash and Silica! It’s like the power of a windmill with the delicacy of a dandelion.

The Cloudberry Oil in our Exfoliating Mask is rich in omega fatty acids to reduce fine lines, while the Silica & Volcanic Ash is a mineral base that acts as a gentle (the key word) exfoliant. The Illuminating Essence Exfoliating Face Mask is the perfect natural skincare product to help fight acne, achieve a more even skin tone, and assist in reduction in dark spots.

Look for Ingredients That Address Hyperpigmentation

There are many dermatologists who recommend ingredients like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid, but we need to put a stop to that chat. Because while these might be popular in conversation, they have the most potential to cause damage in darker skin tones. Dr. Carlos Charles, a popular NYC dermatologist, states, “Overall, I find that [these] often lead to irritation when being used for acne, which can then result in PIH (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation).”

So, if they sound artificial, best to steer clear! At Averr Aglow, we focus on all-natural products. Do you remember the old adage, “It’s better to look good than to feel good?” You no longer have to choose. You can do both! Paraben free, cruelty-free (yay, bunnies!) and gluten free, our Luminous Clear Skin Kit has changed the lives of thousands of women (and men!) by clearing blackheads, breakouts and blemishes, even when nothing else has worked. Cucumber fruit extract, apple seed oil, French pink clay, grapefruit peel oil, raspberry seed oil, rose hips, and honeysuckle flower extract are just a few of the 40 Natural Plant & Mineral based ingredients of this five-product hydration, exilic, toner, nectar, and nourishment kit! And the bottles are so pretty that you’ll want to set them up on a shelf in your bathroom, and gaze at them lovingly in between your skincare treatments.

Background

When our founder Camille created this luxurious, healing line of products after 16 years of her own breakouts, she wanted to make sure she covered all skin tones. She knows the despair of acne, scarring, and painful cysts. She has researched, tested, and consulted on the frustration women can have with hyperpigmentation, keloids, and unique skin conditions, and she has ended up helping thousands of women achieve healthy glowing skin!

Aging in Dark Skin

In addition, our products also address aging for women of color. Averr Aglow’s magical wordsmith Shiloh Garcia reports in this article that “Often the idea of ageless perfection on darker skin has made the thought of aging uncomfortable and hard to accept.” She tackles the truth behind aging on darker skin, the preventative measures one can take to address these issues, and the fabulous Forever Radiant Kit, which she highly recommends, and explains beautifully, why.

You'll smile too when using this bundle of refreshing, anti-aging ocean blue gradients.

"I've struggled with acne since I was 12 years old and have tried everything under the sun (you know how it goes) and I just can't say enough good things about the Averr Aglow skincare line.Most importantly that it's actually an all-natural regimen. I don't even have to use our gross city water to cleanse my face. It's great."

- Abby