SHADES OF THE BLACK SKIN, on the theme "KNOWING YOUR SKIN AND LEARNING TO LOVE IT".

Meet Ramatu Issah known in showbiz as "Rama De Jesus"  a Level 200 student at the University of Education, Winneba.

She's currently embarking on a project about different skin shades and tones.

The whole concept behind this project is about knowing your skin shade or tone. We have different skin tones as Africans. We have dark, chocolate, creamy cocoa, cocoa, ebony, etc.

Our skin is our biggest organ, and it comes in many different colors. These different colors are referred to as skin tones.

They are determined by our outer layer's supply of a pigment called melanin.

 People with dark skin have more melanin than people with pale skin

 [source: National Geographic].

To understand why there are so many different skin colors, it's important to understand how melanin works.

Melanin, serves as your body's defense against ultraviolet rays, more commonly referred to as UV rays. These rays are incredibly damaging and can ultimately cause skin cancer if you don't protect yourself. That's where melanin comes in. Do you know that your skin changes color when you stay in the sun too long?

When UV rays start penetrating our bodies, skin cells called melanocytes kick into high gear and start producing melanin, which results in a tan. People with fair skin, however, tend to burn, because they have fewer melanocytes and thus, produce less melanin. Extreme burns can lead to all kinds of unpleasantness, including infections and shock.

Some people naturally have more melanin in their skin. They remain dark even in the absence of UV rays, and they don't burn as easily when they go out in the sun.

Knowing your skin tone is important. Not only will you be able to better protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays and receive more accurate treatment for certain skin conditions, but you'll also be able to match clothing and hair color to better suit your body's biggest organ. It's not difficult to determine though.

The simple distinction when referring to skin tone is warm or cool. To determine yours, simply look at your arm. What color are your veins? 

If they're blue, then you're a cool skin tone. If they're green, you've got yellow undertones, making you a warm skin tone.  [source: CBS]

Whether you have a dark chocolate, creamy cocoa, cocoa or natural tan, skin care is necessary for every skin type.

Well, below are some guidelines to be followed in order to protect the skin,

1) Cleanse – Make sure to cleanse your face at least once a day. Don’t overdo it as washing your face again and again can deplete moisture and can make your skin dry and patchy. Choose a gentle cleanser for your face that can help you retain the moisture of your face.

2) Moisturize – Moisturizing is an integral part of skin care routine for any skin type. Nourish your face with oils like coconut, almond, jojoba and olive. Dark skin have a tendency to be dry, apply moisturizer like Ultra Moisturizing Cream to get a smooth and glowing skin.

3) Apply Sunscreen – More exposure to the sun can lead to discoloration, premature ageing, freckles, etc. Make a habit of applying sunscreen daily before going outdoors. Limit your outdoor activities in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4) Acne or Pimple scars – Don’t prick the pimples or acne; just dab ointment over them. You can also use acne regimen kit to control acne. Pricking pimples can lead to more scars over the face. Consult with a dermatologist if you experience more acne.

5) Balanced Life– A balanced life can lead to healthy skin.

•A healthy diet is necessary for glowing skin. Add raw vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains to your diet.

•Get regular sleep of 7-8 hours to avoid premature wrinkles.

•Daily exercise will increase your metabolism and remove toxins from the body.

6) Drink enough water – Make sure to drink at least 8 – oz. glasses of water daily. It will help to remove toxins from the body and will offer a glowing skin.

Also, She,  "Rama De Jesus" as a student aims at using this project to help black women find confidence in their natural skin, be comfortable in it and be proud of it.