La La Anthony has never been one to let anything hold her back. From acting to entrepreneurship to motherhood, she’s always juggled multiple roles with grace. But behind the scenes, she’s been managing something that affects more than 7 million adults in the U.S.—plaque psoriasis. Often misunderstood as just a skin issue, plaque psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disease that starts from within. That’s why La La has partnered with Amgen to educate and empower those living with the condition, reminding them that they’re not alone and that the right treatment can make all the difference.
“Conversations are the way to educate people about it,” La La explains in an interview with Black Love. “I want to help people understand that it’s an autoimmune disease that starts inside the body.” Her journey to finding the right treatment hasn’t been easy—she’s tried everything from topicals to prescribed shampoos but struggled to make them work with her lifestyle. “I was told I had to use a shampoo every single day, but I don’t wash my hair every day,” she shares. “It just became a struggle of trying to figure out what worked for me.”
That’s why La La is encouraging others to take charge of their health by speaking with their doctors and finding treatment options tailored to their unique needs. To make this process more accessible, she created an interactive video at momentswithlala.com, where she shares her personal experience with plaque psoriasis and tips on how to improve skin health while living with an autoimmune skin condition.
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For Black women in particular, building a skin care routine for Black women means navigating products and routines that take our unique skin needs into account. That includes learning how to improve skin texture, how to improve skin elasticity, and how to take care of Black skin overall—especially when dealing with flare-ups or chronic conditions like psoriasis symptoms in Black skin or eczema on Black skin.
Because plaque psoriasis affects the skin, La La makes self-care a priority. “What I’m most proud of is taking my makeup off every night,” she laughs. Her routine includes a great cleanser, toner, eye cream, and moisturizer, but her secret weapon? Following Kelly Rowland’s advice. “For my birthday last year, she asked what I wanted, and I told her I just wanted her to gift me all the skincare products she uses,” La La says. “She did, and I’ve been following it ever since.”
Navigating common dermatological conditions like psoriasis can be especially difficult for people of color due to misdiagnosis or lack of awareness. That’s why it’s so important to find a trusted dermatologist for Black skin who understands how these issues present differently. Skin conditions on people of color often look different than on white skin, and things like treating psoriasis on Black skin require a specific approach that centers our skin tone, texture, and even hair care routines.
When it comes to finding the best products for Black skin, La La is focused on simplicity and consistency. “You don’t need 20 products,” she says. “You just need the right ones that work for your skin.”
Beyond her career and advocacy, La La is first and foremost a mother. Her 17-year-old son, Kiyan, is one of the top young basketball players in the country, and while she’s immensely proud of his success, she’s also bracing for the reality of him heading to Syracuse University soon. “I haven’t gotten to the ‘looking forward to’ part yet,” she admits about Kiyan leaving home to play Division I basketball. “I’m just wrapping my mind around the fact that he’s leaving me.”
Still, she’s preparing him for life’s next steps by instilling values of leadership, humility, and staying true to himself. “I tell him to always treat women with respect and love,” she says of Kiyan, who she shares with former NBA star Carmelo Anthony. “That’s not always the imagery they see on social media or TV, so it’s important to have those conversations.”
If there’s one thing La La wants people to take away from her partnership with Amgen, it’s this: “Life doesn’t have to stop. If you can use me as an example of someone who’s still out here living a full life and being confident, then take that with you.”
She urges anyone dealing with plaque psoriasis to check out momentswithlala.com for more insight and inspiration. “Tackle it head-on, find what works for you, and go out there and be your best, amazing self.”
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