Black don’t crack.

You might have heard this saying before. Or maybe you’ve recited it a few times yourself. People with darker skin tones are often said to be blessed with the gift of eternal youth. And while this may seem like a far-fetched notion, there is actually some truth to it.

Melanin is a pigment produced by the body that gives skin its color. It also has the important job of protecting your skin from the sun. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the melanin in your skin provides protection against the damaging effects of UV rays. These rays can cause signs of aging — hence the saying “Black don’t crack.”

Natural Ways To Combat Aging

Sure, Black don’t crack. But aside from melanin, there are other ways to age more gracefully. One example is using SPF products liberally. As well as staying covered up to protect yourself against sun damage. This can slow down the aging process caused by exposure to UV rays.

Another strategy is avoiding smoking, which has been proven to speed up the aging process due to its impact on the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep skin looking plump and youthful.

Eating foods high in antioxidants can also help fight against oxidative damage and slow down the aging process as these antioxidant compounds are thought to protect cells from free radicals.

Black Don’t Crack: 5 Black Women Who Refuse To Age

From Halle Berry to Angela Bassett, Black women are showing the girls how to maintain their youth at any age.

And not only do many Black actresses prove that age is nothing but a number, but they also set an example for other women to feel confident in their skin, not letting ageism hold them back.

In a beauty industry that is largely dominated by unrealistic standards of beauty, these actresses prove that Black women don’t have to conform to conventional standards of beauty in order to shine. Here are five Black women who prove that Black don’t crack:

Iman, 67

Iman Abdulmajid, better known as the world-renowned supermodel Iman, is undeniably stunning and seemingly ageless. The Somalian model has been gracing the covers of magazines, walking on runways, and posing for iconic campaigns since the 1970s.

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It can be said that Iman has managed to find the fountain of youth and keep it all for herself! Her secret? Skincare, skincare, skincare.

“A beauty secret I’ve used since I was 12 years old, it’s from Somalia.” The supermodel explained to Vogue. “We’re taught from a young age that the skin you take care of in your 20s is the one you inherit in your 60s and 70s.”

Kelly Rowland, 41

It’s been more than 20 years since Kelly Rowland first burst onto the scene as part of Destiny’s Child and yet she somehow never seems to age. Fans have noticed that despite the passing of time, Kelly still looks very youthful, with many arguing that she even rivals her younger self.

Kelly attributes her appearance to healthy eating and an active lifestyle. But that’s not all. In an interview with In The Gloss, she credits a special skincare product for her glowing skin.

“After I had my son, I had to change my skincare routine. I went to see Shani Darden—she’s awesome and she’s actually in my book, too—and I was like, ‘I just had this baby and I don’t know what’s wrong with my face!’ She gave me Retinol Reform, which is magic in a bottle. I swear by it. You know, some stuff works for specific skin types, but this works on everybody. It’s magic, it’s magic in this bottle.”

Bianca Lawson, 43

Bianca Lawson has been a familiar face on screens since the late ’90s. But after two decades in the spotlight, it seems that time has stood still for this actress – despite her age continuously increasing, she never appears to age.

In 1999, Lawson debuted as 16-year-old sharp-tongued cheerleader Megan Jones in popular high school drama Dawson’s Creek. Since then, she’s starred in a number of iconic teen shows ranging from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Pretty Little Liars, yet all these years later she remains as youthful as ever.

While some have speculated that Lawson is using facial fillers or Botox to maintain her ageless look, such gossip hasn’t been confirmed. But in an interview with Women’s Health, Lawson attributed her youthful appearance to “living a healthy lifestyle, staying out of trouble, and keeping things very simple.”

Regina Hall, 52

Regina Hall is another Black actress who seems to have age-defying powers. Despite now being in her fifties, Hall looks nearly as youthful as she did when she first started her career in the entertainment industry over two decades ago.

And unlike many other Hollywood stars who opt for plastic surgery or Botox to maintain their looks, Hall swears by a healthy diet and exercise routine. In an interview with Glamour, she attributes her youthful appearance partly to bone broth.

“I try to eat bone broth at least four times a week because it has a lot of collagen in it. Sometimes it’s turkey and lamb or chicken or beef, or even seaweed and mushroom. All you need is a cup.”

Brandy, 43

When it comes to aging, Brandy has found the fountain of youth. The “Moesha” actress looks as fresh-faced today as she did when she first burst onto the music scene in the 90s.

So how does she do it? In an interview with Insider, Brandy revealed that her secret to looking young is due to finding a skincare routine that works.

“I’ve worked on my skin all my life. I used to go to a lot of different dermatologists because I had eczema at one point,” Brandy shared. “Now I’ve found my groove and the products that really work for my skin.”

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