Skin Care for Indians

If you have Eastern Indian ancestry, your skin has a lot of advantages. Compared to lighter complexions, your skin will show fewer signs of aging as long as you take care of it. Here are some tips for optimal skin care for Indians and others with darker complexions:

1. Don’t forget sunscreen.

Although darker skin pigment does provide some protection against ultraviolet rays, the sun can still cause damage that leads to premature wrinkling and skin cancer. Find a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens are also available for the eye area and for the lips.
Sunscreen isn’t just for going to the beach. Put it on first thing in the morning so you’ll be less likely to forget it. Don’t forget your hands and neck, two areas that are often the first to show signs of aging.

2. Avoid blemishes.

Blemishes aren’t good for anyone’s skin, but darker complexions can be more prone to dark spots and uneven pigmentation. As the skin ages, acne scars also create crumple zones in which wrinkles tend to settle. For these reasons, it’s best to stop blemishes before they start. Skin care for Indians should include cleansing the face twice a day and following up with toner if the skin is oily. Use an oil-free sun block, and if you use foundation, make sure it is also oil-free. Spot-treat any blemishes that do pop up with a product containing an acne-fighting ingredient like benzoil peroxide. If home treatment doesn’t resolve the blemishes, consult a dermatologist before scarring occurs.

3. Exfoliate

Many people think that wrinkles are the only thing that makes skin look older, but there’s more to it than that. Youthful skin has a smooth glow as light is reflected off of it. As skin ages, cell turnover slows down, and old skin cells can accumulate on the surface. Flaky skin cells on the surface can also give darker skin an ashy appearance. To exfoliate skin, slough off the old cells with an exfoliating scrub, loofah or rotating pad, but don’t scrub vigorously. Let the skin care product do the work.


Skin care products with retinols can help, too. This vitamin-A derivative causes skin cells to turn over more rapidly, revealing more youthful-looking skin underneath.