Do you know that feeling? You wash your face, and just a few minutes later, your skin feels tight and dry—but by midday, your forehead is shining like you could take a mirror selfie with it. Frustrating, right? You’re not alone! This is a common experience for melanin-rich skin, and it all comes down to moisture loss and oil regulation. But how does this work exactly, and why does it happen so often? Let’s dive in!

Why Does Melanin-Rich Skin Lose Moisture Faster?

Our skin barrier acts like a protective jacket: it locks in moisture and shields us from external influences. But when that jacket becomes thinner or damaged, moisture escapes unnoticed—this is called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). And that’s where the problems begin.

🔹 Higher sensitivity to dehydration – Melanin-rich skin naturally struggles to retain moisture. So even if your skin looks smooth on the outside, it may be dehydrated on the inside. This can lead to a tight feeling, a dull appearance, or even small flakes.

🔹 Overactive oil production as compensation – Your skin thinks it’s being smart. As soon as it detects moisture loss, it tries to save itself by producing extra oil. The result? A shiny complexion, even though your skin is actually crying out for hydration. Many people mistakenly believe they have oily skin and avoid hydrating products, but this only makes the problem worse.

🔹 External factors that speed up moisture loss – Cold wind, dry air, harsh cleansers, excessive exfoliation… all of these can weaken your skin barrier and accelerate water loss. And the more moisture your skin loses, the harder it works to compensate—often leading to an even oilier appearance.

🔹 How melanin-rich skin affects moisture retention – The thicker epidermis of melanin-rich skin has its advantages, such as better protection against damage, but it can also mean that moisture has a harder time penetrating deep into the skin. This makes it even more important to know how to hydrate your skin properly—without clogging it or throwing it off balance.

Why Is It Important to Understand This?

Many people with melanin-rich skin mistake dehydration for oiliness and reach for products that strip away oils without providing hydration. The result? The skin becomes even more unbalanced, constantly switching between feeling tight and greasy. By understanding why your skin loses moisture and how it reacts, you can make better choices in your skincare routine.

But How Do You Fix This?

Don’t worry—we’ll get to that soon! 😉

The Final Chapter: Another Common Skin Concern

This month, we’ve explored many unique aspects of melanin-rich skin, but before we wrap up this series, there’s one more common issue that deserves attention: sensitivity and irritation. While our skin is often seen as strong and resilient, it can sometimes react unexpectedly to certain products or treatments. Have you ever used a product labeled “for all skin types,” only to end up with breakouts or a burning sensation? Why does this happen, and how can you protect your skin from irritation? Find out in the final blog of this series! ✨

Keep learning, keep glowing—see you in the next Melanin Moment! 💛

Love,
Angela