Middle Eastern skin comes from a wide and diverse area that encompasses areas of the Mediterranean (Turkey, Syria), North Africa (Libya, Egypt) and even South Asia (India, Pakistan), as well as the Middle East itself.

What all these regions have in common is relentless sunshine. Evolution has provided your skin with protection against the harmful effects of sun exposure in the form of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color. As a result, Middle Eastern skin is either dark brown, brown, light brown or tan. If you have darker Middle Eastern skin, your melanin helps you to tan rather than burn and gives you natural SPF sun protection, somewhat lowering your skin-cancer risk.

However, your melanin also increases your risk for discoloration, dark spots and brown patches that can give you a sporadic complexion.

Since the best defense is a good offense, here’s what you need to know to keep your Middle Eastern skin smooth and radiant.

Pigmentation & Dark Spots

Whether you have Indian skin, Iranian skin, or trace your heritage to Turkey or Egypt, you are likely to have plenty of melanin pigment in your skin. When melanocytes, the cells that make melanin, are excited by sunlight, they may produce excess melanin. This can lead to hyperpigmentation ― the presence of dark spots or discoloration. To keep pigmentation in check, use an SFP sunscreen product daily.

Acne

Because most people of Middle Eastern ethnicity trace their roots to sunny, hot-weather areas, their skin tends to produce high amounts of oil, or sebum. Skin oils are your skin’s biological cooling and cleansing system. But when oils build up on the skin and clog pores, they can cause acne blemishes and breakouts. Even if you live in the Northeastern United States, your biological code, inherited from your Middle Eastern ancestors, may be wired to produce excess sebum. To reduce acne breakouts, cleanse and exfoliate your skin to keep pores clear. Use cleansers that are fomulated specifically for the needs and chemistry of brown skin to ensure your skin retains its moisture and oil balance.

Acne Scars

As acne blemishes heal, melanin often accumulates at the site of the blemish. This leads to scarring and keloids.