Our skin is a reflection of our overall health, and at times, it can be a canvas painted with various concerns. Among the multitude of skin issues, acne, eczema, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis stand out as some of the most common challenges people face. Understanding these conditions and adopting effective at-home treatments is crucial for achieving healthy, radiant skin. In this blog post, we will delve into each of these common skin issues, unraveling the causes and providing practical tips for effective self-care.
1. Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin issues we see and it is caused by hair follicles under the skin becoming clogged by sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. Most commonly acne is seen on the face but can also appear on the back, neck, and shoulders. Many factors can contribute to acne breakouts such as hormones, stress, medications, and gut health.
When treating acne yourself at home it is important to keep the skin clean and free of any bacteria. Cleansing morning and night with the right cleanser for your skin, not over-exfoliating, and applying moisturiser and lightweight SPF daily. We recommend staying away from ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and anything that is too drying for your skin will strip your skin’s barrier leaving your skin red and irritated. For diet, sugary and processed foods also can be a trigger with acne so limiting these as much as you can is important.
If you find your acne is not improving at all with at-home treatment, it may be time to visit your local skin clinic to have a consultation. Skin clinics can offer a wider range of stronger treatments such as peels that can get your acne under control.
2. Eczema
If you have dry, cracked, itchy and irritated skin it might be that you have the common skin condition eczema which affects both adults and children. Areas that are most affected seem to be behind the knees, creases of the elbows and the wrists and ankles. Unfortunately, there is no cure and we do not know what causes eczema exactly but some common triggers are fragrant soaps, detergents, cold and dry weather and pollens especially if you suffer from allergies.
What can you do to help? Try and avoid itching and scratching at all costs! Recognise what triggers flare up for you and avoid fragrant soaps and detergents. Invest in a protective moisturiser to keep pumping the skin with hydration regularly. Red LED light therapy can help by easing symptoms of redness and inflammation. If symptoms do get really bad either visit your local skin specialist or doctor to have a consultation.
3. Rosacea
Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and small, red, sometimes pus-filled bumps on the face that can be mistaken as acne. There is no cure for Rosacea and the cause like other common skin conditions is unknown however we do know that triggers such as spicy foods, alcohol, and stress can cause flare-ups.
So how can you get some relief? Whilst there is no cure, you can still take steps to prevent and relieve symptoms when those nasty flare-ups happen. Working out your personal triggers is important and some other basic steps like wearing SPF daily, investing in the right skincare, and using Red LED light therapy to reduce redness and inflammation.
4. Perioral Dermatitis
If you have a red type rash that circles the mouth you most likely have a type of dermatitis called perioral dermatitis and it can sometimes spread up to the nose and eyes. Whilst no exact cause is known, one of the most common causes is the overuse of topical steroid creams or inhalers but others can include fluorinated toothpaste and hormones.
How can you help at home? Check the type of toothpaste you are using and it might be time to invest in a more natural toothpaste. Cleansing the skin morning and night with a gentle milky cleanser, wearing SPF daily and if you are not already using one, add in an anti-inflammatory and barrier-correcting serum. Red LED light therapy is also going to help symptoms settle quicker and reduce the redness.
Understanding common skin issues empowers us to take charge of our skin health. By adopting effective at-home treatments, we can address concerns such as acne, eczema, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis. Remember, consistency is key, and if symptoms persist, seeking professional advice ensures personalised care for a healthy and glowing complexion.
