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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The show is exactly what you’d expect when you put a media pro and a sports legend together—a mix of real talk, unfiltered moments, and guest interviews that feel like family kickbacks. As the duo wraps up their first season, Rocsi sat down with xoNecole to talk about teaming up with Deion, the wildest moments on set, and why streaming platforms like Tubi are shaking up the talk show world.
Scoring the Gig & Clicking Instantly with Deion
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence
Deion Sanders had been dreaming of hosting a talk show, and when Tubi came calling, it was only right he made it happen. But before he found the perfect co-host, he held auditions with different women for the spot.
Lucky for us, Rocsi threw her hat in the ring, and the connection was instant. “You just can’t buy chemistry like we have,” she tells us. “We are legit like big brother, little sister—fighting, cracking jokes, telling each other off. When you watch the show, it’s like watching family.”
Mixing News, Culture & Sports—Minus the Snooze
With We Got Time Today, Rocsi and Deion cover everything from the latest headlines to celebrity tea and, of course, sports. But instead of stiff, rehearsed segments, the show keeps it loose and unpredictable.
“We’re not breaking the mold—it’s not rocket science,” Rocsi jokes. “We just bring our own flair, our authenticity, and our personalities to it. Deion has firsthand experience in sports, so when we talk about athletes, he brings a different perspective.”
And the best part? Unlike traditional talk shows that rush through quick interviews, We Got Time Today actually takes its time. “A lot of shows might give you one or two segments with a guest,” Rocsi says. “With us, we actually sit down and have real-life conversations.”
Her Top Guests (So Far!)
From music icons to relationship experts, the show has already had some unforgettable guests—but a few stand out for Rocsi.
“Ice Cube was our first guest, and he’s just legendary,” she says. “Kirk Franklin had us cracking up when he broke into a full choir freestyle for our Christmas special. And anytime we get Dr. Bryant on to put Deion in the hot seat? That’s my favorite!”
And of course, there’s Nick Cannon. “Nick was amazing,” she adds. “You already know he’s going to bring the energy and say something wild.”
Tag-Team Hosting with Deion: The Inside Scoop
While Deion Sanders is best known for his football greatness, Rocsi says he’s also one of the funniest people she’s ever worked with.
“He’s goofy—like, really goofy,” she laughs. “A lot of people didn’t know that side of him, but now they do. He can crack a joke, and if you’re too sensitive, good luck, because he will go in. But the best part? I throw it right back at him! Sometimes we just look at each other like, ‘Okay, that was a good one.’”
But beyond the laughs, she admires his insane work ethic. “Watching him juggle everything he does is just super admirable,” she says.
How "We Got Time Today" Brings That "106 & Park" Energy
Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
For those wondering if We Got Time Today feels like 106 & Park 2.0, Rocsi says it’s a whole different vibe.
“The only comparison I’d make is that it’s a destination for the culture,” she explains. “It’s a platform where our people can come, feel safe, and have real conversations. But other than that, this is Deion’s world—we’re just having fun in it.”
The Talk Show Shake-Up: Why This Show Hits Different
Unlike traditional networks, We Got Time Today lives exclusively on Tubi, proving that streaming platforms are changing how we watch talk shows.
“Tubi is giving more people opportunities and making content more accessible,” Rocsi says. “Deion is a huge Tubi fan—he literally loves Black cinema—so it just made sense for him. And honestly? He’s got me watching it too!”
Real Ones Only: Women Holding Each Other Down
Rocsi credits her best friend, Chantelle, for always keeping her grounded. “She kept pouring into me, reminding me of who I am,” she shares. Even Deion Sanders makes sure to give her flowers, often calling her “the hostess with the most.”
In the industry, she’s built lasting bonds with women like Julissa Bermundez, Angie Martinez, and Angela Yee. “Julissa and I still kick it—her house is basically Sephora, so I just shop there,” she jokes. She also cherishes her friendships with Melyssa Ford and Robin Roberts, who have offered unwavering support. “Robin has always been there for me,” Rocsi says, reflecting on the wisdom she’s gained from the legendary journalist.
With the show’s first season wrapping up, Rocsi is grateful for the experience and excited for what’s next. “We’re having a good time, and the audience can feel that,” she says.
And if you haven’t tuned in yet? Well, Rocsi and Deion got time—so you might as well make some too.
Catch We Got Time Today now streaming on Tubi!
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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