Beauty Brand Makari de Suisse’s Top Tips For Black Women’s Summer Skin Care

Source: Courtesy of Makari / Makari de Suisse

Whether it’s dark spots, hyperpigmentation or stretch marks, beauty brand Makari de Suisse has been catering to black people’s unique skincare needs for 25 years. The company’s line of lotions, cleansers, toners and more are manufactured in Switzerland and use majority botanical ingredients in its formulations.

We recently spoke to Marina Fernandez, Makari’s director of marketing, about how people of color can protect their skin during the summer months:

BOSSIP: What are some tips and tricks for women of color to keep their skin looking beautiful, young looking, supple, etc…from the summer and going into the fall?

Fernandez: Sunscreen is a MUST! Many of our customers still ask us if they need to protect their melanin-rich skin from the sun. Our answer is always: YES! All skin types, including those with higher levels of melanin, need sunscreen. While the sun is a great source of vitamin D, it is also one of the main causes of premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. We encourage our Makari fans to never leave the house without having applied sunscreen, especially during the summer.

Exfoliating your face and body at least once a week is key to help remove cells clogging the skin and to uncover fresh new cells. Only when we have removed these dead skin cells can our serums and moisturizers penetrate deeper and thus be more effective. We should however avoid over-exfoliation since it can lead to irritation and even discoloration.

Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated is crucial to reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness which may lead to acne. If your body moisturizer is too thick for the hot summer months, we recommend trying a body oil instead.

Source: Courtesy of Makari / Makari de Suisse

BOSSIP: What are some of the biggest challenges in skincare for people of color during the warmer months?

Fernandez: Hyperpigmentation is definitely one of the biggest challenges that our customers face and it only worsens during warmer months with increased sun exposure. There is a common misconception that melanin-rich people don’t need to wear sunscreen and we at Makari are working hard to educate our customers on the importance of wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Treating sunburn and hyperpigmentation is usually a long and complicated process and while we make very effective products to help address them, prevention is crucial.

On this same topic, many of our customers find it challenging to find the right type of sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast on their skin. After several requests, last year we came out with an oil-free and residue-free facial sunscreen with SPF46 that our Makari fans are loving.

Lastly, I would say that acne breakouts are another major skin challenge among our customers. During these warmer months, we all tend to sweat a lot more than in the winter and when sweat mixes with bacteria and oils on our skin, it can clog our pores.

Cleansing your face twice a day with products aimed to regulate oil and sebum production like our Acnyl Sulfur Soap is very important. Other tricks are to blot sweat from your skin with a clean towel or cloth or to change your pillowcase frequently.

Source: Courtesy of Makari / Makari de Suisse

BOSSIP: Many of our readers will be going on vacation soon. How do you keep skin looking it’s best when you’re out of town?

Fernandez: Stay hydrated. Experts recommend eight glasses of water a day so keep your water bottle next to you at all times and avoid consuming too many sugary drinks.

As much as possible, follow your typical skincare routine also while you are away and be consistent. If you cannot bring all your daily skincare products with you, pack the essentials including sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, a face scrub, your regular moisturizer, lip balm, and calming body lotion.

Consider going barefaced or keeping makeup to a minimum so your skin can breathe.

Protect your skin! Sometimes simply wearing sunscreen is not enough, especially during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm. This is why it’s important to wear protective gear such as sunglasses, loose protective clothes, and hats. In addition, stay in the shade as much as possible during these peak hours.

*This interview was edited for clarity and space.