Mixed Race Skin - Characteristics, Problems, Care & Types of Makeup Foundation
Mixed Race Skin Characteristics:
As a generalisation mixed race skin is a combination skin type. Why? Because mixed race people get different characteristics from each of their parents. Black skin tends to be oily on the face and dry skin elsewhere, white skin tends to be ‘normal’ or oily. Each mixed race person is different, even between siblings. I have dryer skin on my legs than my sister, even our skin tones are different.
Mixed race skin ages at a slower rate then white skin, but ages at a faster rate compared to black skin. This is due to the extra protection provided by melanin, which protects against UV along with mixed race skin usually being oily due to sebaceous glands being more active. Mixed race and Black skin are however still prone to getting skin cancer, so please use sun protection - Brown Skin and Skin Cancer
Mixed Race Skin Tones:
There is no one gene that determines skin colour, there are several genes. Skin colour is primarily determined by melanin presence, an inherited trait. There are actually several different genes that regulate a variety of processes of melanin production. The more "high pigmentation" genes a person has, the darker their skin. This is why most mixed-race children have an intermediate skin tone between their parents; it's not an all-or-nothing process. This explains the different types of skin tones between mixed race people. What's your skin type? Find out.
Mixed Race Skin Care:
As each mixed race person is so individual you will have to assess your own skin.
- Low (lighter) or high (darker) pigmentation?
- Oily, normal or dry skin? Where on your body is your skin oily, normal, dry or combination. Combination skin is usually found on the face: oily and normal.
- Knowing your skin pigmentation and type will help you choose the right beauty products. Black skin is higher pigmented and tends to be oily on the face and dry skin on the body. White skin is lower pigmentation and tends to be normal to oily skin on face and normal skin on the body. Mixed race skin can be a combination of these. My pigmentation is in-between white and black, skin on my face is oily and my legs can be dry – so I have 2 moisturisers, one non oil based for my face and one heavily oil based moisturiser for my legs. I also ensure both the moisturisers are medium SPF (SPF15). If your pigmentation is low then a higher SPF is needed. I hope you see where I am getting at. You have to look at your own skin all over and ensure you are using the rights products.
Mixed Race Skin Problems:
Shifting Clouds (also called Tinea Versicolour, Vitiligo or Lhotha) are names given to the light or dark patches that sometimes appear on the skin. “This condition can affect people of any race, however it is often more noticeable on people of colour. The cloud like shapes are a common appearance on mixed-race skin and a visit to the doctor may result in a prescription for Canesten or some other antifungal cream but little information about the condition. The condition is not contagious, it may recur after treatment, though usually not right away.” intermix.org.uk
