To Look Your Best every day, you need a daily skin-care regimen based not only on your skin type but also on the nature of your skin tone and the amount of melanin in your skin. Skin of color is very susceptible to developing either dark or light patches in response to a variety of factors. Everyday triggers such as sunlight, scratches, pimples, or even rashes can prompt the overproduction or underproduction of melanin, causing dark or light discolorations. To avoid the discolorations, you must treat your skin with great care. The way you tend to your skin every day can make the difference between a clear, glowing complexion and one with blotches or blemishes that can be difficult to camouflage or fade.

In this site, you'll learn how to put together a skin-care program, including ways to properly cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize, and protect your skin. To make this program easy for you to adopt, I've summarized the steps in checklists, modified for skin type, at the end of the site.

Cleansing Clues

Cleanse your face daily to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.

Avoid abrasive cleansers or cleansing products (puffs, loofahs), which can irritate skin of color.

Use products designed for your skin type: oily, dry, normal, combination, or hyperpigmcnting.

Don't overdo it. Cleansing too often or too roughly will harm your skin.

Exfoliate if you need to remove dull, dead skin cells by using exfoliating acids found in skin products-but test the product on a small patch of skin first

Makeup Storage and Care

How you store and maintain your makeup and makeup tools will make a difference in your looks. If you keep makeup too long it can affect the quality and color of the product as ingredients age and as oils from your fingers and face mix with the cosmetics. It can also allow bacteria or fungi to grow and cause infections, most commonly of the eye or lip. Your makeup tools-brushes, sponges, applicators can also become filled with makeup and oils, interfering with clean makeup application and creating another breeding ground for bacteria. To keep your makeup fresh and clean, get in the habit of taking these steps:

Replace all eye makeup (liner, shadows, mascara) every three to six months. Liquid products should be tossed every three months.

Replace other makeup (foundation, powder, concealer, lipstick) every twelve months.

Wash makeup tools every two weeks in mild soap and warm water. Air dry.

Replace makeup sponges once a month.

Stop using lipstick, lip liner, gloss, and balm if you develop a cold sore or fever blister. Replace the products if you accidentally use them during an infection.

Replace all eye makeup if you have had conjunctivitis or "pink eye."

Store all makeup products in a dry, cool environment. Keep products tightly closed.

Cleanup Tip

lf you can apply your powder, blush, or eye shadows without dipping into the makeup, it's time to clean your makeup brushes.

Makeup Safety Tip

Never use makeup testers in department stores. If even one person has touched the item, bacteria may be present.