The Dermatologist-Approved Way To Give Your Quarantine Skin A Summertime Glow
It's no secret quarantine has done a number on our mental health, but what about our skin's health? Summer may be in full effect, but we might not have the same glow we're used to having by this time of year since we've been indoors waiting out COVID-19. Women of color should also be giving their skin some extra TLC this season regardless or not of the pandemic since our skin suffers more from hyperpigmentation, scarring and more. So, what do we do about it?
Here at xoNecole, we take glowing skin and anything that tries to get in the way of it seriously. We chatted with Dove Dermatologist and leading skincare expert Dr. Mona Gohara on her advice and favorite products for prepping Black and Brown skin to emerge from quarantine like a goddess.
Keep reading if "glass skin" was on your 2020 vision board.
The effects of quarantine on skin, Black and Brown skin especially:
"Not so much quarantine itself but the whole pandemic does create unique concerns for brown skin. Mask-wearing can lead to acne, referred to as 'maskne'. This is much more likely to lead to hyperpigmentation in brown skin. Actually, one component of quarantine that is unique to darker skin is the hyperpigmentation that can come from Zoom-ing all the time. Blue light from our devices create hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin damage. This is much more likely in Black/Brown skin. I recommend a gentle cleanser and of course a lot of SPF. Nothing overly aggressive or harsh."
What we should have done all quarantine-long to prep our skin for "the outside" and can still do:
"Wear sunscreen! Especially if you spend your days sitting by a window or in a room with lots of sunlight as UV light penetrates right through window glass, so sunscreen is useful even if you're inside. Many people of color tend to believe they're invincible when it comes to the sun and needing sun protection, but you should wear sunscreen every day! Your skin is the largest human organ, and it is the most visible. No matter what season we're in, know that the skin constantly absorbs ultraviolet aging rays like a sponge, which then damage your DNA, collagen and cause pigment abnormalities later in life.
"As you start transitioning back to normalcy and going outside, use makeup with SPF in it as well as a separate sunscreen. You can never have enough. Also note that sunscreen is the last product you put on your face after your moisturizer, right before your makeup."
Ways can we refresh skincare routines for the summer on a budget:
"Just as we transition our wardrobes to hotter weather, the shift in seasons necessitates a refresh in our skincare routine. I recommend using a gentle, moisturizing, all-in-one cleanser like the Dove Beauty Bar ($6) . With its signature cleansing ingredients and 1/4 moisturizing cream, it effectively cleanses the skin without leaving behind that dry, tight sensation. It's also gentle enough to use on your face and can be used for handwashing as it removes dirt and germs while nourishing the skin, making it the ultimate all-in-one cleanser.
"For all skin types, a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher (Black Girl Sunscreen, $16) which is essential for those with melasma or skin discoloration. Remember even light bulbs worsen melasma, so SPF 30 is essential. If you do experience sun damage [add on] a Vitamin C antioxidant like La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Face Serum ($40). For those with dry skin, use a gentle hydrating cleanser (Aveeno Ultra-Calming Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser) and follow it with a petroleum-based ointment (Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, $10) on top."
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MUST-have ingredient(s) in skincare products this season for WOC:
"In terms of ingredients, a good rule of thumb is to stay away from products that have the word "fragrance" on their ingredient label and look for "fragrance-free" alternatives, products that contain a lot of "alcohols" can also be irritating on the skin. Look for ingredients like glycerin, ceramide, etc. Also avoid long hot showers, as they strip away your skin's natural moisture barriers, instead opt for shorter, warm showers."
Advice for treating skin irritated from wearing masks in combination with the heat:
"Gently cleanse, if you over-irritate the skin with a lot of scrubbing or exfoliation, it will just stoke any inflammation. If the skin is irritated in the form of eczema, a little over-the-counter cortisone cream may help. If it is breaking out in the form of acne, I like to put Benzoyl peroxide spot treatment right over the affected area."
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Jazmine A. Ortiz is a creative born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn and currently living in Staten Island, NY. She started in the entertainment industry in 2012 and now works as a Lifestyle Editor where she explores everything from mental health to vegan foodie trends. For more on what she's doing in the digital space follow her on Instagram at @liddle_bitt.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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The pandemic marked a shift in many societal norms, and not many were fun – except one – the reemergence of micro weddings!
Say what you will about weddings, but watching micro weddings throughout the pandemic brought so much joy and hopefulness in the opening act of despair as we know it (because, as we now know, COVID was just the tip of the iceberg). However, I’m sure it felt a bit turbulent to the couples at the time, or at least those forced to switch to a micro wedding after months or even years of planning a…macro…wedding.
What Is a Micro Wedding?
If you’re somehow behind on the times, micro weddings are more intimate in size but still have all of the imagination and extravagance of traditional weddings (if not more). This differs from a shotgun-style wedding in Vegas or at the courthouse. The magic number is 50 guests or under.
I recall a fellow alum from my college taking wedding photos in a beautiful gown with a ton of hot air balloons floating above her–in my network alone the micro wedding aesthetic went off!
Though this particular genre of weddings became popularized during the pandemic, micro weddings have always been an option. And, though you might think they’re on the decline since the pandemic is “over” one TikToker predicts they will continue gaining traction and becoming preferable over traditional weddings. This is largely based on the decline in wedding guest counts that predate 2020.
According to The Knot, weddings have gone from an average size of about 136 in 2017 to decreasing to an average size of 115 guests in 2023.
Something Old, Something New
What’s news to me is the existence of a "minimony," also known as a "mini wedding ceremony"–a new concept coined during the pandemic. Although both minimony and micro weddings prioritize intimacy, there are a few key differences, including how intimate the event gets. Size matters! So, while a guestlist of 50 is acceptable for a micro wedding, it’s closer to a perfect 10 as far as a minimony is concerned.
The other standout piece is that a minimony focuses more on the ceremonial aspect of the wedding – it’s closer to an elopement-style wedding than it is to a traditional wedding – focusing on the sharing of vows and cultural traditions. There is usually an officiant and a photographer, but rarely a full-blown reception. This portion of the ceremony is condensed down to a couple of desserts, allowing guests to celebrate with newlyweds closely.
Finding the One
Ultimately, finding the right wedding fit for you will rely on a variety of factors such as budget, family closeness and size, quality time with guests, convenience, and much more.
As a girlie who has only ever wanted to get married to appease my ego-driven Leo rising, yet is still on the spectrum of introversion – the micro wedding feels ideal because it meets that need without breaking the bank. I don’t know if I could justify tens of thousands on a wedding simply to have all eyes on me–especially because I’d much rather justify booking a flight or two with it. If I see a wedding in my lifetime, know this is where it’s at for me!
At the end of the day, so much of planning a wedding is truly about the individuals involved and their preferences. And, so you’ll want to consider how a micro wedding may or may not meet your needs when you begin the planning process.
LumiNola/Getty Images
Want to have a micro wedding? Here are some tips to assist with the planning process:
- A venue that vibes: Turns out “location, location, location” isn’t just talk for real estate enthusiasts. You will want to make sure you carefully choose a venue that fits your micro wedding just right. I hadn’t considered how important this might be until I had, but an extra large space on an intimate-sized wedding takes away from the intended intimacy – makes it feel unintentional and vacant. Consider spaces such as a rustic barn, restaurant, garden, or even your backyard.
- Small talk: You’ll want to inform your vendors that you’re going small – this will allow them to tailor their packages to meet your needs.
- DIY on the decor: Now that you’ve decided to entertain a smaller group of guests, you may be interested in and open to adding a personal touch by tackling a “do it yourself” project that pops. Maybe you do the calligraphy on your invitations or repurpose items you already have for decor.
- “Zoom” in: Though you’ve decided to go a more intimate route, this doesn’t mean there weren’t people you wish you could’ve invited. But, thankfully, we have advanced significantly in technology, and you’re able to livestream your wedding, so no one really has to miss out on the big day. (FYI: I’m not sure that you’d use Zoom – there might be something a bit more official and elegant).
- Up the ante: If budget constraints weren’t a reason for wanting to have a micro wedding, consider placing a great emphasis on quality when it comes to food, bar, flowers, and even your photographer.
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Featured image by Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images