However good someone’s skincare routine is, there are a number of problems, from breakouts to dry skin, that can crop up at any time. These skincare issues can be uncomfortable and frustrating for patients, and it’s good to tackle them early on to prevent them from getting worse or causing permanent damage to the skin.
In this article, we take a look at the most skincare problems facing patients today and what can be done to ease them.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a very common skin condition that causes the face to become red and flushed. It usually appears only for short periods of time, but in some cases it causes permanent redness, a burning sensation, spots and bumps on the skin, or small blood vessels to become visible.
There are a number of possible causes of rosacea including blood vessel abnormalities, peptides on the skin, mites, or bacteria. But if someone is prone to it it can be triggered or made worse by a range of factors such as hot or cold temperatures, wind, alcohol, caffeine, stress, or humidity.
There’s no permanent cure but there are a number of ways to treat and manage the symptoms. Patients should follow a gentle daily cleansing routine, using lukewarm water and gently blotting the face dry, and avoid scrubbing or coarse materials.
It’s also important to choose products that are suitable for rosacea sufferers and avoid ones containing ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, glycolic acid, and lactic acid as they can irritate the skin.
Eczema
Eczema is another very common skin issue, which causes redness and inflammation. It can also make the skin extremely dry, itchy and even cause it to become cracked and sore. Most patients will experience eczema on the hands, inside of their elbows, and on the back of the knees. It’s also quite common to get eczema on your face.
Flare-ups can occur at any time, but eczema is usually especially bad during the winter when the air is cold and dry outside and heating indoors further dries out the skin. Eczema can also be exacerbated by certain materials that irritate the skin or cause overheating, and having baths or showers with water that’s too hot.
Patients looking to manage their eczema should try to wear breathable materials like cotton, use gentle skincare that’s designed for sensitive skin. It’s also important to moisturise skin regularly, try to use products like a moisturising body wash that’s designed for extremely dry skin. For any patients that want to know how to get rid of eczema on your face, they may need to speak to a doctor or dermatologist to find a suitable moisturizer or get a prescription for topical steroid treatments.
With frequent eczema flare-ups it could be worth looking into using a humidifier to add more moisture into the air as well.
Acne
Another common skincare problem is acne — spots and blemishes on the skin, which can range from small blackheads to large, painful cysts. While it primarily affects teenagers and young adults, it can appear in patients of all ages.
It’s often hard to pinpoint a specific cause of acne. It could be anything from hormones to a wide range of environmental factors including diet, pollution, skincare, and stress levels. However, there are a lot of things that patients can try to tackle and effectively manage acne-prone skin.
It’s important to keep skin clean, and reduce irritants or touching it too often. Patients should avoid picking at spots as much as possible as it can make them worse and lead to permanent scarring.
Patients with acne should wash their face twice a day with products suitable for sensitive skin. Even if skin feels oily, overwashing can irritate the skin and dry it out, which can end up causing the body to produce more oil.
To treat acne, patients should also look to use products that contain:
Heavy makeup and moisturisers can also exacerbate acne, patients should use skincare products that are non-comedogenic, which means they’re less likely to block the pores and cause spots. It’s still important to moisturise though, and there are many different moisturisers available that are designed for acne sufferers and contain ingredients to clear the skin as well.
If over-the-counter products don’t work then patients might need prescription treatments to tackle severe acne. These include topical treatments, antibiotics, and other medications.
All three of these common skincare problems can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for patients, but with the right routine and treatment, they can be managed or even cleared up completely.
