What is Ashy Skin?

What is Ashy Skin?

What causes ashy skin?

If you are with a dark brown or black skin color and you feel that sometimes your skin looks a bit gray, then you may have something that dermatologists refer to as ‘ashy skin’.

Ashy skin is common in darker skin types, and is a result of dry skin.

Dry skin leads to a build-up of dead skin cells on the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the skin) causing the skin to look gray in color.

Why Do I Get Ashy Skin?

Ashy skin is primarily caused by skin that is dry and dehydrated; therefore, daily use of a moisturizer is essential. This should be preceded by a face or body exfoliator as ashy skin is also often the result of incomplete desquamation (i.e. the shedding of dead skin cells to reveal new and fresh skin beneath).

How To Get Rid Of Ashy Skin

The most sure-fire way to get rid of ashy skin on the face and body is to regularly use an exfoliating scrub.

These remove the dead skin cells, allowing the skin to reflect light and give you radiant and glowing skin.

What Are The Best Face Scrubs To Treat Ashy Skin?

The best face scrub for ashy skin is a mechanical face scrub with abrasive beads that are not bad for the environment.

5 best exfoliating scrubs to treat ashy skin:

Avene Gentle Scrub

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Scrub

Pidanti Smoothing Polish Face and Body Scrub

SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

VMV Hydra Balance Smart Cleansing Scrub- for allergic skin

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

$32.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

$32.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

$32.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

We also love ClarityRx Down + Dirty Mask, which is a natural apricot and mineral-rich seaweed scrub that also doubles as a charcoal mask to remove the gray scales that create an appearance of ashy skin. This face scrub for ashy skin is suitable for even sensitive skin types, and will lift away dead skin cells for a healthy-looking complexion. Mineral-rich seawood supports the skin’s natural hydration process to prevent the reappearance of the dry, dead skin cells that cause ashy skin.

What Are The Best Body Scrubs To Treat Ashy Arms And Ashy Legs?

One of the best face and body scrubs for ashy skin is Pidanti Smoothing Polish Face and Body Scrub – an excellent all-round exfoliating scrub.

This face and body scrub gently removes dead, dull skin cells using a combination of exfoliating beads and 10% glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is a low pH cleanser with alpha hydroxy acid well-known to create a smoother, more even appearance, as well as gently peel away dead skin cells from the surface of the stratum corneum.

How To Prevent Ashy Skin On The Face

If you regularly suffer from ashy skin on the face, the best way to keep it at bay is to use an effective facial moisturize r or face oil, which will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the appearance of the dry skin that causes a gray color. A face moisturizer that replaces the lipids that are commonly lost in dry skin conditions, as well as hydrates, is essential to prevent ashy skin.

One of our favorite face moisturizers to prevent ashy skin is Zerafite Barrier Repair Cream, a gentle face cream that repairs and protects the skin barrier (i.e. the stratum corneum). By doing so, this face moisturizer prevents the appearance of dry, ashy skin by locking in moisture and replenishing lost skin lipids.

Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer is a rich but lightweight face cream that combines ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids to restore the skin barrier. This helps the skin hold on to water, preventing dehydration and ashy skin on the face. This healing moisturizer is best used as the last step in your nighttime skin care routine.

Finally, SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 replaces the lipids lost in dry skin conditions to hydrate dry skin on the face and improve skin radiance. This skin barrier product is a rich cream, which some skin types may not like, but it is very effective at improving skin texture and radiance through its combination of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids.

You may also wish to try face oils to treat ashy skin. Face oils that contain argan oil in particular are ideal, as argan oil is suitable for both sensitive and dry skin types, keeps the skin hydrated, and contains linoleic acid (a type of moisturizing fatty acid), which calms the skin.

PAORR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil contains 100% organic Moroccan argan oil. We love this face oil because it soothes, protects and hydrates the skin. It is an entirely natural product, with no hidden ingredients, so is suitable for dry and sensitive skin types.

ClarityRx Glimmer Of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil is a naturally scented oil that mixes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory oils to hydrate the skin – perfect for dry and dehydrated skin. Turkish rose oil (an anti-inflammatory) regenerates and protects the skin, while antioxidants marula kernel oil and meadowfoam oil boost hydration and skin radiance.

How To Prevent Ashy Skin On The Body

Just as you would use an effective moisturizer to prevent ashy skin on the face, the body also requires hydrating body creams to prevent the return of dry, dehydrated skin following treatment with a body scrub.

These hydroxyacid body creams treat ashy skin:

SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream

$72.00

Add to Cart

Our favorite body oils to hydrate dark skin types:

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Oil’s Well Nurturing Do-It-Oil

$40.00

Out of Stock

Nuxe Prodigieux Huile de Douche Shower Oil

$18.00

Out of Stock

What’s The Best Skin Care Routine for Dark Skin Types?

If you have a dark skin tone, selecting the correct skin care routine for your skin type is essential to prevent the appearance of ashy skin. Cleansers and moisturizers in particular have a big role in treating ashy skin.

Knowing your Baumann Skin Type can guide you on what skin care products are best to help keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Click here to learn more about skin care for black skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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