Chocolate Girl Guide to Deliciously Smooth, Dewy Skin

There’s nothing like the feel of baby, soft and smooth skin that’s dewy to the touch and radiates a healthy glow. Beautiful skin is healthy skin and healthy skin can be achieved with the proper beauty routine and maintenance.

Caring for chocolate skin requires regular exfoliation to slough off dead skin and rich, deep moisturizing to get rid of the dreaded ashy skin. Also knowing your skin type and purchasing the right products that treat and provides the right moisture is a big ‘Yes’ in having that creamy, brown skin
 
After years of experimenting with a variety of products, one thing I’ve found is the fewer products you use on your face, the better. Some skin types might require more than the usual to treat certain blemishes however use what you have to and do not get lured by the thousands of products that offer sexy promises. Find what works for you and stick to you it.
 
Let’s begin. What you will need: cleanser (African black soap), loofah, sugar and honey (equal parts of both mixed together), toner (with hazel), skin lightening cream, facial moisturizer and body cream (100% Shea body butter) and sunscreen.

Step #1: We begin with a cleansing treatment. A great natural cleanser that really deep cleanses skin is the African black soap. You can get it at most beauty stores and even drug stores. Apply the soap to a loofah or brush; this is necessary because it acts as an exfoliant, and massage all over your body. Rub the soap onto your palms and massage all over your face.

Next: while still in the shower, take the body scrub or a sugar and honey combination and massage all over the body in a circular motion. I do this once every day, but sensitive skin types might only do it 2x a week. Taking some of the mixture, apply in a gentler, circular motion to your face. Rinse off thoroughly. Towel gently to remove excess water.

After stepping out the shower or tub, apply body moisturizer while body is still damp. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer especially for our chocolate skin because it provides deep moisturizing. The Shea plant is unique to West Africa and is the secret behind the beautiful skin of many African women. Try to use natural Shea butter versus the processed one because they provide better moisturizing and is better for your skin. I also apply petroleum jelly all over my feet, elbows and knees because as we know these areas are quick to get ashy and require extra moisturizing.

Now onto the face, using a cotton ball, apply toner all over face. Witch hazel makes a great, natural toner and they cost pennies at drug and beauty stores. After applying toner, dab lightening cream onto and dark spots and areas. Be careful using hydroquinone based products because many health studies have discovered that they can cause health problems. It is recommended that it is used on and off over several months.

Next apply facial moisturizer, sunscreen, and Shea butter to lips with petroleum jelly over it and Voila! Sticking to a daily beauty regimen of cleansing, toning, exfoliating, treating and moisturizing will have your skin looking so chocolaty smooth and delicious. For night time, I do the same thing except I replace the facial moisturizer with a night cream, I also apply a facial exfoliant after applying skin lightening cream for deeper exfoliation, and of course I skip the sunscreen ; )

Enjoy!