
Everything You Need To Know About Achieving Flawless Skin, As Advised By Charlamagne's Dermatologist

Summer is in full swing which means those winter months spent getting your body right and tight are hopefully paying off. But is your skin up to that level of "on pointness" as everything else?
If you have been following The Breakfast Club over the years then by now, you're familiar with the drastic, 180-degree change to Charlamagne Tha God's appearance. The radio jock once had a face marked with severe dark spots and hyperpigmentation, however his skin is now clear and even toned, thanks to dermatologist Dr. Natasha Sandy.
The miracle worker shared some tips on how to make sure your skin is summertime fine year-round on The Breakfast Club!
Despite the misconception that people of color don't need sunscreen because of our melanin, Dr. Sandy stresses that we still have to protect ourselves. She explains that the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays still makes us susceptible to skin cancer. And that awful hyperpigmentation (darkening of the pigment)? The Maryland-based dermatologist says that can be caused from not applying sunscreen, too! However, she notes that the skin condition can also be triggered by other factors ranging from topical products, bad diet/lifestyle or even a pre-existing skin disease.
Now if you've already reached that bridge and need help crossing, Dr. Sandy recommends getting down to the root of the problem as it may not be something simple. You also don't have to decide whether to pay your rent or get your face cleared up because Dr. Sandy says great skin can still be achieved with a modest budget. Hallelujah!
Got questions about how to get rid of dark spots, chemical peels, semen facials, and those annoying period pimples? Dr. Sandy has answers.
xoNecole: What sunscreens and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) should you be using?
Dr. Sandy: The key thing is to get an SPF of at least 30. Anything above that, it doesn't make that much difference. The significant thing however, is the ingredients in it. So you want to have something that has Zinc Oxide in it, or Titanium. And the reason being is because you've got UVB Rays, which causes burning, and UVA Rays which causes aging, which you're exposed to on cloudy days. But Zinc and Titanium absorb all the wave of things. They absorb UVA and B. And that's the significant thing- You want protection from both rays. So you want Zinc and Titanium, and an SPF of at least 30.
Is tanning oil useful in sunscreen?
No. Because do you want to cook? It's like making yourself chicken or turkey. You put an oil on yourself and then you're sitting out on the fire.
When should you wear sunscreen?
Most people think about the UVB rays because they think about the burning and rays hitting them, but you need to do it all year around. Because like I said, the UVA rays you're exposed to even on cloudy days. So that's why in England, there's significant skin cancer. England is known for being cloudy.
Do certain products cause hyperpigmentation?
Most people try to associate when they have hyperpigmentation, as a triggering event that may have caused it. A lot of people think it may have been something that they put on their face, which it could've been. But really, why a product could cause that is basically, if you have anything that could cause hyperpigmentation, which is darkening of the pigment, that can leave you with dark marks.
What exactly causes hyperpigmentation?
The melanocytes, which are the cells that have melanin in the skin, inflammatory cells. So if you have anything that can cause inflammation on the skin, even the sun hitting it can make you have dark marks. And if you continually expose yourself to that thing, you never wear sunscreen, you're always in the sun, you don't protect yourself, then you're going to get hyperpigmentation.
You have the obvious topical things, external factor. So for example sun, products that you're using, maybe true specific skin diseases like acne, dandruff which you can actually get in your face. Even things like psoriasis, things like that. But also remember, we are a total being and the skin really manifests what's happening inside. So anything you're taking internally that's causes inflammation in the body, or even your lifestyle, can impact that.
“I had to change my lifestyle, too. I was 202 pounds, so I had to lose 30 pounds. And then when they say, 'drink in moderation', really drink in moderation. I would notice when I would drink, the marks on my face would be darker." - Charlamagne
If there are problem areas, how does a dermatologist care for the skin?
First, you have to treat whatever the source of the skin discoloration is, right? So if you've got acne, you need to treat the acne. So whatever the cause of the skin discoloration is, you want to treat that first. With Charlamagne, we treated some of the acne that he had, but he also had dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, as well. And that made a big difference. I've used chemical peels on him as well.
What are chemical peels and how do they work?
All chemical peels are not created equal. That's the first thing. So there's Medical Grade, and there is what you can get esthetician-wise. With chemical peels, you're putting a chemical, typically an acid and there's a lot of different types, on the skin so you can achieve a number of different goals. It changes the pH of the skin, and it makes the skin more acidic. Why does that matter? Well, the skin likes a more acidic environment. For example, we've all heard of Queen of Sheba soaking in milk. Milk has lactic acid in it, and that's why her skin was that great.
The other thing that it can do if you have uneven skin, depending on the depth of the peel, if it's more superficial it'll take off the top layer of skin for the uneven pigment. If it's deeper and you have fine wrinkles, you've got scars, you can use it for that as well.
Is Charlamagne bleaching?
No [he's not bleaching]. So here's the distinction, I think people are looking for the question of, like—because, in the culture, there's a lot of that. The bleaching, the cake soap, people just having that gray appearance.
How can you take care of your skin on a modest budget?
Cetaphil
Witch Hazel
Dr. Natasha Sandy acne pads
Cerave moisturizer
Elta MD
… And exfoliate!
What about pimples?
It's definitely hormonal. Usually around that time, people feel like eating lots of sugar. So what you want to do is not do those sugars, or pick a good sugar. So you want to do more fruits and vegetables. More fruits, sweet fruits. If you want to, make smoothies.
There's some prescription supplements (anti-inflammatory) that have things like turmeric, folic acids. I take that, and around my period I rarely get the dark marks.
Do semen facials really work?
Anecdotally, people have found that when they put certain fluids on their bodies, either internally or externally, they feel that their skin is better. However, there has not been any studies to support that. I'm a physician so I have to go with the evidence, so once there's a study that's put together with thousands of people, then I can provide evidence to support that.
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Are any of her tips you swear by? How do you currently care for your skin?
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Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams has always marched to the beat of her own brutally honest drum — and that’s exactly what makes her so magnetic to watch. Whether she’s making us laugh until we cry on The Ms. Pat Show or now laying down the law on her courtroom series Ms. Pat Settles It, the comedian-turned-judge proves time and again that there’s nobody quite like her. Unfiltered, hilarious, and real to the core, she’s made a name for herself by turning her life’s journey — including the pain — into purpose.
Now in her second season of Ms. Pat Settles It, airing on BET and BET+, she’s not only delivering verdicts — she’s dishing out life lessons in between the laughs. The show feels less like your typical courtroom drama and more like your outspoken auntie running a court session at the family cookout, complete with celebrity jurors, petty disputes, and a whole lot of real talk. xoNecole sat down with Ms. Pat to talk about her wildest cases, balancing motherhood and fame, and why sleeping in separate bedrooms might just be the key to joy.
CASE CLOSED, BUT MAKE IT CHAOS
If you’ve ever tuned in to Ms. Pat Settles It, you already know the episode titles alone deserve awards. But when we asked Ms. Pat which case stood out most, she didn’t even have to think twice. “There was this one woman — Shay — who got out of federal prison and was working for her old bunkmate. But the bunkmate didn’t want to pay her!” she says, chuckling. “That girl came in the courtroom like a firecracker.”
It’s moments like those that remind viewers Ms. Pat isn’t just bringing the laughs — she’s giving people a platform, even if it’s a little messy. And if her court ever gets turned into a real-life franchise, we need Shay on the promo posters immediately.
WHEN THE CELEBS SHOW OUT
It’s already hard enough to get a word in with Ms. Pat running the show, but throw in a celebrity jury featuring Tamar Braxton, Ray J, TS Madison, and Karlous Miller? Whew. “I don’t even try to control them,” she laughs. “Thank God we have something called editing.” According to her, behind the scenes, things get wild — but that chaos is part of the magic. “People only see the cut-down version. What you don’t see is all of us losing it in real time.”
Still, Ms. Pat makes it work. The courtroom becomes a stage, but also a safe space for guests and jurors to show up as their full, unfiltered selves. “It was a wild season,” she explains. Let’s be honest — if your jury looks like a BET Awards afterparty, you might as well let it rock.
IF FAMILY COURT WAS REALLY A THING
Ms. Pat might wear the robe on screen, but at home, she’s still managing her own wild bunch. When asked what kind of case her kids would bring into her courtroom, she burst into laughter. “Oh, they’d be suing my oldest son for eating their food,” she says. “You know how you have that one roommate that eats up everybody’s food? I can see my oldest son getting sued for that..”
And let’s face it, we’ve all either been that sibling or have one. Ms. Pat says moments like that — the everyday family squabbles and real-life irritations — are what make her courtroom show so relatable.
THE VERDICT SHE WISHES SHE COULD REWRITE
Ms. Pat is known for keeping it real, even when the conversation turns serious. When asked if there was one “verdict” in her real life she’d change, she pauses for a second before answering. “I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
“I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
It’s a rite of passage in most Black households — your diploma doesn’t really belong to you, it lives at your mama or grandma’s house like a family heirloom.
HOW SHE STAYS GROUNDED
Between filming TV shows, headlining comedy tours, and running a household, Ms. Pat makes it very clear: she will find time to rest. “People swear I don’t sleep, but I do — I just knock out early and wake up early,” she shares. “And sometimes, I’ll just sit in my car.” She’s also a big fan of solo naps and mini getaways when things get overwhelming.
But one of her favorite forms of self-care? Separate bedrooms. “Me and my husband don’t sleep in the same room. That way, when I don’t feel like being bothered, I go to my space,” she laughs. She’s also found a new love for facials. “They’re addicting! I don’t need a lot — just sleep, a facial, and a little quiet.” Honestly? That’s a self-care routine we can get behind.
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE
Ms. Pat’s story is one that’s deeply rooted in resilience — and she’s always been transparent about how her journey shaped her. Her advice to other Black women trying to turn their pain into purpose? Speak up. “You have to tell your story,” she says. “Because once you tell your story, you realize you’re not the only person that’s been through that situation.”
She adds that sharing your truth can be one of the most powerful things you do. “When you give a voice to pain so many other people who have that pain gravitate to you,” she says. “To heal, you have to speak out loud about it. What you keep inside is what eats you up.” Coming from someone who built an entire brand on truth-telling? We believe her.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MS. PAT?
While Ms. Pat’s got her hands full with Ms. Pat Settles It and her comedy show, she hints there’s much more to come. “I got some stuff poppin’ that I can’t even talk about yet,” she teases. “But just know, like Kendrick [Lamar] said, we about to step out and show ‘em something.” That multi-genre deal with BET and Paramount is clearly working in her favor — and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
She says one of her proudest moments in this chapter of her career is seeing things she once dreamed of finally come to life. “In this business, you never know what’s gonna work or what’s gonna stick. But now I’m working with a network that really understands me — and that’s special,” she says. “I feel seen. And I’m just getting started.”
Whether she’s in the courtroom cracking jokes or catching up on rest in her own sanctuary, Ms. Pat is living proof that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of authenticity. She’s rewriting the rules in real time — on her terms, in her voice, and for her people. As she continues to turn pain into purpose, laughter into legacy, and everyday mess into must-see TV, one thing’s clear: Ms. Pat is in her prime. And we’re lucky enough to watch it unfold.
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