I have been taking good care of my body for so long that I was surprised the day a female friend expressed surprise to know that I use body lotion. What? There are men who do not use body lotion? As far as I can tell, masculine body care is an important part of showing up in life.
That beautiful black skin of yours deserves all the love and care you can give it. Make it glow; keep it smooth and fresh. Here are some essential body care tips for a black man, culled from my 50 years in existence as one.
Get to know your black skin
The skin is the largest organ in your body. You should not be going through life not taking care of it. I figured out my skin type early. I have oily skin on my face and dry skin everywhere else. Yes, you can say that I have hybrid skin. As such, I am constantly looking to keep my arms, torso, and legs hydrated, while needed to get oil off my face. Pay attention to your skin and find out what you need to do to keep it in good shape.
Black men often have naturally dry skin, so it is important to keep your skin moisturized. Use a good quality moisturizer daily, paying extra attention to areas that are prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, and feet.
Take care of your hair
Black men often have coarse, curly hair that requires special care. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Also, avoid using hot tools like hair dryers and straighteners, as they can damage your hair.
I am at a stage where I do not have to worry about the hair on my head any longer. One, the men in my family have a history of going bald as they approach senior citizenship, and I have began that approach. Secondly, carrying large amounts of hair on my head is wearying. The solution? I now carry skin cut. Yes, no hair. Or perhaps more accurately, I keep the bare minimum amount of hair on my head. Still, I keep that little hair moisturized. What i have can be barely called a beard; it is there if you look close. I spot a Morris Chestnut type of beard. I keep that well oiled too.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water is life, literally.
Eat a healthy diet
It does not matter what else you do, actually, if your diet is poor. Do you understand what foods nourish your body best? DO you know what items cause your body to break out? Are you paying attention to what you eat? A healthy diet will help keep your skin and hair looking their best.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise not only helps to keep your body in shape, but it can also help to improve the health of your skin and hair. My favourite type of exercise is walking. Sometimes, I walk as much as 10 kilometers in a day. Sometimes, far less. But I am constantly moving.
My next best form of exercise is dancing. I have dance scheduled into my weekly activities and will take every other opportunity I can to dance.
Exfoliate as often as you can
Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells, which can clog pores and cause ingrown hairs. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub as often as you need to keep your skin smooth and healthy. That can be once or twice a week or once a month. It really depends on the condition of your skin.
There is a lot of self-confidence to be found in having great body care for yourself. Give that melanin-popping skin of yours the love it needs. That’s where you will live all your life, after all. Love yourself some more and take good care of it.