Contents
What kind of skin can be considered problematic? How to take care of her? We will try to answer these and other questions in our article. And at the same time, we will tell you about the most popular mistakes that owners of problem skin make, and we will gradually write out a competent care scheme.
How to diagnose problem skin
Absolutely problem-free skin does not exist. Someone after the first visit to the beach gets pigmentation, someone has to deal with peeling on their cheeks in winter, and someone suffers from photodermatitis, which appears on the skin on sunny summer days. And yet the definition of “problem” is given to skin prone to acne.
If acne bothers you no more than once a month, it’s too early to worry. But if you don’t remember the last time you went out without concealer, it’s time to take action. First, consult a dermatologist who will prescribe tests and, based on the results, prescribe an individual treatment. All this does not preclude proper daily skin care.
Check how competently you care for problem skin.
Signs of problem skin
Have you noticed any of the following symptoms? This is a reason to make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Black dots and uneven skin relief mean that the process of cell renewal of the stratum corneum is disrupted.
Nose and forehead shining like a disco ball by noon? The reason is the excessive production of sebum.
The regular appearance of inflammation in the same places may be a reflection of problems with the digestive system or hormonal levels.
Causes of the appearance of inflammatory elements
Part of acne is a failure in the genetic lottery. Someone wipes their face with a towel that is not the cleanest and does not know the troubles, while someone has already bypassed all the cosmetologists, but has not solved the problem. Anything can become a catalyst for the appearance of inflammation – from hormonal failure to passion for sweets. Only a doctor can tell about the reasons in your particular case, but for now we will describe some of the most common factors that provoke the occurrence of imperfections.
External causes
Cosmetics. Some cosmetic ingredients, such as talc (often found in powders) or coconut oil (a popular ingredient in face and body products), can be comedogenic in some cases. You can’t guess in advance – you can understand this only by experience. But if you notice that the skin reacts negatively to the product, it makes sense to stop using it and carefully read the compositions when buying cosmetics.
Acids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C sometimes require an adjustment period. At this time, the number of inflammations may increase. This reaction is called a primary exacerbation and can last up to a month.
Violation of hygiene rules. If you have pets that are allowed to roam the bed or even sleep on your pillow, the “guests” will not keep you waiting: indirect skin contact with the dirty paws of the animal can provoke inflammation and irritation. The recommendation for all owners of problem skin is to change the pillowcase every week, and completely replace the fabric towels with paper towels.
Bad habits. Have you noticed that inflammation always appears in the same place? The reason may be a violation of household hygiene: perhaps you like to prop your cheek with your hand, and when talking on the phone, press the phone tightly against your face.
Adverse environmental factors. Calling city air clean is hard, especially if you are walking not far from large highways or industrial plants. A non-comedogenic foundation can be an effective skin protection against dust.
Illiterate care. Perhaps, after reading some information on the Internet, you began to use an alcohol tonic that dries the skin. Dehydrated, overdried skin becomes fragile, its protective functions are weakened. As a result, pathogenic bacteria and allergens easily damage it, leading to inflammation. And if you go through the inflammatory elements with a scrub, then pathogenic bacteria will be distributed throughout the face, and you are provided with a “blooming” look.
Internal causes
Food. It happens that the skin reacts to a number of products with rashes. For example, sugar, pastries, chocolate. This is due to the response production of insulin in the body and its ability to activate the production of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. But these are individual characteristics. It has also been noted that the consumption of fatty foods like chips and fatty meats can trigger increased sebum production. Gastritis is also a trigger factor for inflammatory processes on the skin. If your skin suddenly “bloomed”, get examined by a gastroenterologist and select a diet.
Hormonal changes. The appearance of two or three inflammations before the “critical days” is not a cause for concern. However, hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovaries often leads to severe acne. If the inflammation does not go away, be sure to visit a gynecologist.
Hyperkeratosis is another process that is triggered in the skin as a result of hormonal changes. It is characterized by thickening and insufficient exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the skin, which leads to inflammation and uneven relief. With hyperkeratosis, the exfoliation process is normalized with the help of exfoliants, and in more complex cases, retinoids are prescribed in medicines.
Care instructions
In the care of problem skin, all stages are important: exfoliation, moisturizing and cleansing. We tell you which tools and in what order should be used.
Step by step skin care
care stage | What means to use | How often to use |
Make-up Removal | micellar water, makeup remover oil | daily |
Gentle cleansing that does not disturb the hydro-lipid balance of the skin and does not overdry it | delicate cleansers (gels, foams, mousses) | daily morning and evening |
Exfoliation of the stratum corneum | mechanical: soft scrubs (with superficial inflammatory processes, this product is excluded) chemical: enzyme creams, tonics, creams and serums with acids | once or twice a week (read product instructions) |
humidification | serums, creams, fluids | daily morning and evening |
Special care – deep cleansing | cleansing masks | one to three times a week |
Funds overview
Cleansing and make-up removal
Product | Action | Ingredients |
Oil for removing makeup Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, Kiehl’s | The oil formula of the product dissolves even the most persistent cosmetics in a minute, while squalane and night primrose in its composition saturate the skin with nutrients. | primrose and lavender oils, squalane |
Micellar water for oily and sensitive skin, Garnier | The fragrance-free formula gently cleanses even the most sensitive skin without causing irritation or discomfort. Leaves skin clean and matte. | vitamin B3, micelles |
Boys Rosaliac, La Roche-Posay | The patented xanthine complex, combined with mild cleansers, provides soothing properties. | xanthine |
Exfoliation
Product | Action | Ingredients |
Exfoliance Confort Exfoliating Cream, Lancôme | The microgranules in the cream delicately exfoliate the keratinized layer of the skin without disturbing its protective barrier. | almond extract, yeast, honey |
Serum for correction of acne Blemish & Age Defense, SkinCeuticals | The combination of acids in the composition of the product provides effective exfoliation, prevents the formation of post-acne and helps reduce inflammation. | salicylic, glycolic, dioic acids |
Corrective Effaclar A. I, La Roche-Posay | Active substances inhibit the activity of bacteria and slow down the development of inflammation. | niacimide, glycosil, piroctone, olamine, LHA-acids |
Moisturizing and toning
Product | Action | Ingredients |
Lotion with herbs for problem skin Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion, Kiehl’s | It is a multifunctional product: it can be used both as an aftershave lotion and for daily skin care. | sodium pyrrolidone carbonate, menthol, camphor |
Moisturizing cream for normal and combination skin Aquasource, Biotherm | Due to the content of plankton, a natural source of minerals and antioxidants, the cream restores and maintains an optimal level of moisture in the cells for 48 hours. | thermal plankton |
Intensive moisturizing regenerating gel Hydrating B5 Gel, SkinCeuticals | Maintains skin tone and provides an optimal level of hydration. | hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, urea, trehalose |
Masks for problem skin
Product | Action | Ingredients |
mask-scrub “magic of clay. Exfoliation and narrowing of pores, L’Oréal Paris | A mask with three types of clay deeply cleanses the skin and prevents inflammation. | red algae extract, kaolin clay, ghassoul, montmorillonite |
Mineral peeling mask “Double Radiance”, Vichy | Thanks to the content of water from French thermal springs, it replenishes the mineral balance of the skin, and fruit acids allow atraumatically reduce the severity of post-acne and improve skin texture without dehydrating it. | Vichy thermal water, fruit acids, exfoliating particles of volcanic origin |
Mask that deeply cleanses pores and evens out skin texture Clarifying Clay Masque, SkinCeuticals | Helps unclog pores and reduce their size, controls sebum production, improves complexion and skin texture. | natural clay and hydroxy acids |