HOW TO CARE for EVERY SKIN TONE

Variations in pigment levels and other factors make certain skin tones more prone to particular issues. Top dermatologists detail the most common challenges and the best ways to prevent and treat them for your healthiest, most radiant complexion through the years.

- APRIL FRANZINO

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Because it contains more melanin, this skin tone "rarely burns and readily tans," Dr. Hogan explains. It also is very susceptible to conditions characterized by hyperpigmentation, such as melasma, which presents as blotchy patches on sun-exposed areas. "The more melanin you have in your skin, the more prone you are to hyperpigmentation, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation marks caused by acne, skin injury, and scarring," Dr. Marchbein adds.

CARE CUES Rather than using stronger acids or other exfoliants that can irritate, leading to more hyperpigmentation, opt for treatments with gentler tone evening ingredients such as mandelic acid, which also helps control oil, Dr. Liu suggests. For melasma, "oral prescription and topical tranexamic acid and topical treatments with cysteamine are effective," Dr. Marchbein says. "Using SPF is still very important for darker skin tones," Dr. Liu adds; choose a tinted sunscreen, which is likely to blend better on deeper complexions and will help prevent discoloration.

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