6 Common Skin Problems and How to Deal with Them

Skin changes and the variety of problems that it brings can be an inevitable part of grown-up life. It’s just something that we all have to deal with in one way or another. But, worry not — maintaining a healthy skin as you age doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think it should be. Here are a few tips given by New York-based dermatologists Sejal Shah and Dendy Engelman in addressing common skin concerns:

Redness

Shah explains that the secret to reducing redness is by using products with a bit of caffeine. The substance works by constricting the blood vessels which then minimizes the redness. If redness occurs more often than usual, then that warrants a dermatological consult as there might be an underlying problem that causes the appearance of redness.

Acne

Working on zits is not just about treating what you see on the surface, it also means dealing with how to prevent it before it comes again. According to Shah, “Retinoids help acne by increasing cell turnover and minimizing the growth of skin cells that can clog the pore.” Engelman suggests using gentle skin care product along with a retinoid and finding hydrating moisturizers to avoid irritating the skin.

Flaky Skin

There are actually numerous factors that cause flakiness – not just cold weather. Sun exposure, harsh cleansing, skin product reactions can cause dryness in any season. Shah suggests moisturizers to nurse the skin back to health, including products with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides.

Dull Complexion

Want to get your glow back? Exfoliation is the key. According to Engelman, exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, so it’s best to cleanse with it and also nourish the skin with vitamin C because it acts as an antioxidant that can counteract the damage caused by free-radicals that leads to a dull complexion.

Suddenly Sensitive Skin

Be gentle with your skin. There are a host of factors that can trigger irritation and inflammation in the skin – stress, the weather, allergies, not getting enough sleep. Shah recommends opting to use creams with soothing ingredients such as green tea, colloidal oatmeal, aloe or chamomile to bring back healthier skin.

Hyperpigmentation

The sun is the main culprit and doesn’t pick – it affects everyone. Its UV rays can trigger the production of melanin that causes dark spots to appear. Skin care products that have ingredients such as kojic or licorice extract which act as skin brighteners may help, according to Engelman, since this help prevent the overproduction of melanin and treat the dark spots in the skin. Still, make it a point to avoid sun exposure by wearing protective clothing and putting on a product with SPF.

Source: Refinery29