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.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Cosmic Chemistry: These Rising Sign Pairings Are A Match Made In Astrological Heaven
Compatibility when it comes to Astrology runs deep. There is a lot to unpack when studying the stars, and your rising sign is your guide to experiencing life and love to the fullest. It’s not just about what sun sign aligns with yours, you also have to take into account your moon sign, rising, Venus, Mars, and more. Some may say your rising sign is even more significant when it comes to your birth chart than your sun sign, as your rising sign is at the very top of your birth chart, and it’s what leads and directs your entire chart.
Your rising sign, otherwise known as the ascendant, is your persona, physical appearance, how you see the world, and the impression you make on others. When it comes to compatibility, you’ll want to make sure your rising sign is compatible with another's, as this is the type of energy you are going to be moving through when experiencing life together. Have you ever wondered why some people you can get along great with when it’s just you two, but the second you go somewhere in public with them or are around other people, things change?
Or, on the other side, have you noticed that with some people, you see things similarly to them, have the same values, and have similar goals that allow you to move through life as one rather than feeling like you live completely separate lives outside of the relationship? This is where rising sign compatibility comes into play.
Since your rising sign is also your physical appearance, what you are attracted to, and who is into you, there is a mutual attraction when the rising signs are compatible. Meeting someone with a compatible rising sign as yourself will have you feeling adored and truly seen.
Your personal aesthetic and how you come across is received well by them, and they will not only get all your quirks, but their taste and aesthetic will complement yours. It’s hard to miss when two people have compatible rising signs, as you can not only see their chemistry, but you can feel it. Those are the couples you look at and go, “Wow, they look so good together.”
Here are some of the rising signs with the best compatibility:
Scorpio Rising & Pisces Rising Compatibility
Scorpio Risings and Pisces Risings just get each other. They both have a more emotional experience of life, and they both see things with this type of lens. These two are also great at balancing each other out. Pisces Risings live life in an almost fairytale type of way and are always imagining how they want things to be, inspiring Scorpio to believe in the unbelievable. Scorpio Risings are a little more protective over their energy, and this helps Pisces look at themselves with more sovereignty.
This is a creative duo that will love to spend time in each other’s company, and you can feel the love the two have together.
Gemini Rising & Sagittarius Rising Compatibility
Gemini Rising and Sagittarius Rising have a lot in common, and their energies match well. Being both mutable rising signs, they similarly flow through life and are flexible, adaptable, and spontaneous. This is a relationship where they love to keep moving, travel, and experience life, and this is a social couple who share friends in common or like to be around the same crowd. Gemini and Sagittarius Rising live from the mind, and the communication between the two is great.
Being opposite signs on the zodiac wheel, otherwise known as sister signs, there is a special bond that these two share together, and this is a duo who feel they can be their authentic selves around each other.
Cancer Rising & Capricorn Rising Compatibility
Opposites attract when it comes to this duo. Cancer Rising and Capricorn Rising form a relationship that works for both of them and one where both of their needs are being met. This is the type of relationship to build a life together and see each other not only in their present but in their future as well. There is a good balance of give and take in this connection, and with Capricorn ruling Cancer Rising's 7th house of love and vice versa, it’s somewhat of a perfect match for them. With this pairing, they often find what they have been looking for.
Cancer Rising sees things with a more emotional lens than Capricorn Rising does, but this energy is needed to help Capricorn Rising open up more to others and Cancer Rising find their ground in love and feel supported here.
Aries Rising & Libra Rising Compatibility
Aries Rising and Libra Rising are two coming together as one. You will always have stronger compatibility with the rising sign that is opposite of yours because that sign resides in your 7th house, the house of love, romance, and marriage. This is especially true when it comes to these two, as no matter how different they are, you will find this is a very common pairing in couples. Libra loves, and Aries inspires. There is plenty to talk about and plenty to do, and this is the type of relationship that rarely gets boring.
There is a type of dedication to the relationship that these two both bring, and they balance each other out in a way that allows them to live up to their highest potential.
Virgo Rising & Taurus Rising Compatibility
These earth-rising signs are both practical and loving. This is a relationship where they share common goals and interests and are willing to put in the effort to make things work. They are both more introverted than extroverted, but they will love experiencing life together in whatever way they see fit. Virgo Rising is flexible enough to take things in stride, and Taurus Rising adores that they can go at the pace that feels right for them, which is often slower than most in love. Neither are asking too much of each other, as what they can give is what the other is looking to receive.
This is the type of relationship that can grow both emotionally and financially together and who will physically be very into each other.
Aquarius Rising & Leo Rising Compatibility
Aquarius Rising and Leo Rising are the dynamic duo. These two might not hit it off right away, but once they get to know each other, they become enamored with each other’s presence. They are both bold and authentically themselves, and there is an instinctual connection they form through the fact they both show up completely as themselves. Their style and aesthetic are completely different, yet they are both the first people to be noticed in a room for their eclectic taste.
This is a fun relationship where they awaken each other to new perspectives and create a world of their own. Being both fixed signs, they are loyal to the ones they love, and once this relationship takes off, they will have each other's backs and be there for each other through it all.
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Featured image by Carlos Barquero/Getty Images