Esthetician Alicia Lartey Gives Us Her Top Skincare Tips

“I take my makeup off, wash it off, do a little toner, put the cream on, go to sleep."

BuzzFeed Staff

Alicia’s deeply passionate about changing the beauty industry's outdated standards, especially when it comes to Black skin, and she’s also Head of NPD & Education at Supernova Body.

Don’t let TikTok fool you into thinking you need a 12-step skincare routine. Alicia emphasises that she’s "a basic person," keeping her routine to just a few steps: “I take my makeup off, wash it off, do a little toner, put the cream on, go to sleep." A pared-down approach can be just as effective – just look at those results!

Alicia’s personal journey with skincare started with her battle against severe acne: a symptom of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). “I had really bad acne... it was all over my face, my chest, and my back,” she shares. After trying antibiotics, topical creams, and ultimately Accutane, she learned how important it is to understand your skin condition before diving into products. "Accutane gave me the clearest skin I’ve ever had." But she stresses that understanding her skin’s specific needs helped her manage it long-term.

Alicia isn’t impressed by the current beauty trends, noting that skincare innovation has slowed down, despite constant advertising and viral moments. Alicia revealed that brands are often just tweaking minor details like adding a new scent or changing the colour of products, but aren’t necessarily being innovative with their formulas. Instead of following trends, Alicia suggests sticking with your tried and tested products; take your time to figure out what your skin needs, and don't be swayed by what’s popular.

Alicia’s take on mediocre products is clear: if you’ve been using a product for months and see no improvement, it’s time to move on. Yes, even if everyone's raving about it online. “Let it go,” she advises. There's no point in sticking to something that doesn’t show results, especially when there are more effective options available.

If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, Alicia advises patience, especially if the discolouration is deep in the skin. She suggested that a month is the minimum time needed to assess if a product is working. But if the discolouration has a purplish or greyish tint, you may want to consider a prescription treatment, as over-the-counter cosmetics can only address surface-level issues.

Yes, our faces do take centre stage, but Alicia emphasises the importance of the care of our body skincare, pointing out how we sometimes neglect it despite its importance. Whether it’s dealing with dryness, scars, or just keeping your skin healthy, treating your body with the same care as your face is a must.

If you're dealing with the cruel cycle of dealing with hyperpigmentation caused by ingrown hairs, Alicia recommends laser hair removal. After about three sessions, you should start seeing results, as laser “slightly exfoliates the skin.” Having struggled with PCOS, Alicia has undergone over 50 laser sessions and prefers this method to other treatments like electrolysis because it leaves her skin smoother, and can be done safely on dark skin.