The beauty e-tailer Spending my money on ethical brands means more to me than a big name
As the co-founder of website Candour Beauty, Abi Lawrence-adesida has the inside track on effective skincare buys for women of colour.
For me, professional treatments are money well spent.
Seeing my aesthetician for a deep cleanse and exfoliating facial once a month is a treat, but it helps to keep hormonal blemishes at bay, using clinical ingredients and light therapy, which I couldn’t do at home. Whatever else
I use in between is more about maintenance.
With black skin, acne and pigmentation go hand-in-hand.
The scarring from the acne causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so it doesn’t make sense to treat them as separate issues. A two-in-one product, such as Nuhanciam
Anti-imperfection Emulsion [3], £20, tackles both issues and can also save you money.
Cheap scrubs are part of the problem. It’s a common misconception that physical scrubs help to minimise acne breakouts. The opposite is true! Harsh scrubbing causes more inflammation, which can exacerbate the issue, so it’s worth factoring a good chemical exfoliant into your budget, with salicylic or fruit acids. I rate Paula’s
Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant [1], £28.
Cocktail your skincare. The weather, hormones and ageing all cause skin to change, so having a variety of different products, which you can mix and match to combat different concerns, is essential. That’s where game-changing brands such as The Ordinary and The Inkey List come into their own, as their formulas contain high-quality ingredients that are still super-affordable.
I like speedy and multitasking body products. R&R
When black skin is dry, it can look ashy. I use
Luxury Shea Oil [2], £15, all over my body as well as on my seven-year-old son! It’s deeply nourishing, lasts all day and instantly stops that ashy look.
I also love 54 Thrones Beldi Moroccan Body Mask
[5], £36; it cleanses, exfoliates and softens skin. I apply it all over and scrub off after 15 minutes.
Never skip sunscreen. Due to higher melanin levels, most black skin has a natural SPF of up to 13, but we’re not immune to the damaging effects of the sun. We suffer with pigmentation and UV rays cause collagen to break down, resulting in fine lines and a lack of firmness. In the past, SPF left an unattractive white cast, but new brands such as Black Girl Sunscreen [4], from £23, and Unsun, from £28, are changing the dialogue with their lightweight, wearable formulas. Yes, they’ll add extra cost to your routine, but if you care about your skin, it’s worth it.
Social conscience is the biggest luxury.
Spending my money on brands with a reputable supply chain, environmentally friendly credentials and sustainably sourced (or organic) ingredients means more to me than extravagant packaging and a big name.