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Confident In Her Skin
Morticia Godiva loves it when the red undertones of her complexion glow in the sunlight. “It’s magical when the sun brings them out,” says the actress, “but it didn’t occur to me to protect my skin from the sun until I was in my 20s. Before then, I never thought of sunscreen as something that I needed.” Morticia had always experienced areas of discoloration on her face, but she started looking for solutions when her episodes of hyperpigmentation became more frequent. “I began taking sun protection seriously after I learned that sunscreen is a necessary tool for treating hyperpigmentation,” she says. “It’s a common misconception amongst Black and Brown people that skin with melanin doesn’t require protection, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!”
As an African woman of trans experience, Morticia started her sun care journey around age 24, when she began hormone replacement therapy. Morticia would often shave her facial hair to keep it at a minimum, which led to hyperpigmentation and irritation. Since discovering the connection between sun damage and sensitivity, it’s become even more important for Morticia to protect her sensitive skin with sun care products that are easy to use and compliment her skin tone. “Having sun protection that’s wearable and appealing is so important,” says Morticia. “I’ve been very diligent about using sunscreen over the past year and my areas of hyperpigmentation have improved dramatically.”
When it comes to finding the right products for her daily routine, Morticia loves to shop the selection at Ulta Beauty. “They do skincare and sun care like no other,” she says. “Ulta Beauty provides quality products and exclusive brand offers that really set them apart from the pack.” Morticia’s must-have sun care picks include Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 and Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32. “I layer both of these products on my face every day, and they work great together,” says Morticia. “Black Girl Sunscreen is so perfect for my complexion— the jojoba and avocado oils are so smooth and melt right into my skin.” Morticia likes to apply her Kinship sunscreen all over because it leaves her skin feeling extra moisturized. “It’s probably the best Zinc Oxide sunscreen I’ve ever used,” she says. “I also appreciate that it doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin.”
Be very patient and gentle with your skin. Do your research, find a good daily sunscreen, and stick with it!”
Morticia has cut down on shaving significantly since starting electrolysis, but she still uses an electric razor once a week. To keep her skin feeling smooth and hydrated post-shave, Morticia trusts Fur Ingrown Concentrate. “I used to get really bad ingrown hairs when I had more active follicles on my face,” she explains. “Fur Ingrown Concentrate was a lifesaver in those moments! Now I only need to use it the first couple of days after shaving to keep my skin looking its best.” This essential oil blend also helps to replenish Morticia’s sensitive skin during the summer months when she’s out in the sun.
Thanks to these Ulta Beauty products, Morticia is better informed and prepared than ever to combat sun damage. Her advice to those who want to follow in her footsteps: “Be very patient and gentle with your skin. Do your research, find a good daily sunscreen, and stick with it!”
SHOP MORTICIA’S SUN CARE SELECTIONS
Visit Ulta Beauty to shop sun care essentials.