Skin problems: how to get them under control

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it is not for nothing that it is also called the "mirror of the soul". Because their condition allows conclusions to be drawn about our general physical well-being, both internally and externally. Skin problems are one of the most visible times when our body is complaining and not at peace with itself. We literally feel uncomfortable in our own skin. The reasons for this are manifold. Find out here how skin problems develop, what you can do about them and how you can prevent them in the future.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

The most common skin diseases include acne (diseases of the sebaceous glands), neurodermatitis (chronically inflamed skin), perioral dermatitis (inflammatory skin rash mostly around the mouth) and Rosacea (chronic inflammatory facial redness). If you're unsure where your skin problems are coming from,you should get opinions from a dermatologist to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, skin diseases are often not easy to diagnose and it can take some time to find the trigger.

👆 Anyone who prefers a holistic therapeutic approach can also consult naturopaths after the conventional medical assessment in order to integrate alternative healing methods into the recovery process.

Get familiar with your skin

The first step to permanently resolving skin problems is to get to know your skin really well. That means finding out what skin type you are and what condition your skin is currently in. Only with the appropriate knowledge about one's own skin can its problems be understood and solved.

The four skin types

In general, we distinguish between four different skin types with the following characteristics:

• Normal skin: Easy-care and fine-pored
• Combination skin: Oily T-zone and dry cheeks
• Oily skin: Shiny and coarse-pored
• Dry skin: tight, reddened, itchy spots

Finally, there is sensitive and dehydrated skin. These are not separate skin types, but rather skin conditions that occur temporarily as a result of different stimuli. Every skin type requires individual care in order to be optimally cared for. Analyzing your skin for the factors mentioned above and assigning it to one of the four typesn is half the battle for fighting skin problems. By tailoring your daily care routine to the special needs of your skin type, you reduce and prevent overreactions.

A skin consultation provides enlightenment

Are you unsure about the nature of your skin and what care is best for you? Let's find out together in our free skin consultation ! Write us your questions by e-mail and we will help you to find the right remedy for your skin problems.

We determine your skin type, take a look at your care routine and look for alternatives if necessary. In this way you will become an expert on your skin and learn to understand when it complains and how you can react to it.

👆 A skin consultation does not replace a doctor's consultation. If skin problems persist, a second medical opinion is advisable.

What causes skin problems?

our genetic disposition plays an important role, which brings us back to the different skin types. This determines how much sebum the glands produce and how well the skin retains moisture. Every skin type has its quirks (apart from the normal one) and brings with it the respective problems.

But our skin also complains, just like we do when it's stressed. On the one hand, stress can be triggered by internal (endogenous) influencing factors such as psychological and emotional overload or hormonal changes (period, pregnancy, menopause). Possible external (exogenous) triggers include cold-heat fluctuations, wind, UV radiation, alcohol, smoking, diet, lack of sleep or incorrect skin care.

👆 Long-term stress is poison for the skin. It leads to dehydration, accelerates skin aging, reduces wound healing and can cause pimples and itching.

Skin problems from mask

Since the beginning of the corona pandemic, face masks have found their way into our everyday lives. Whether FFP2 mask, surgical disposable mask or a mask made of fabric: Anyone who has to wear a face mask often and for a long time tends to have skin problems.

The cause is a humid microclimate that develops inside the mask and which promotes growth of bacteria and at the same time weakens the protective skin barrier. The result: pimples just sprout. Therefore, you should first start using care products under the mask very sparingly or, in the best case, do without them completely, because they are less effective and also increase skin moisture.

After removing the mask, you can thoroughly clean and care for the facial skin. Your skin will also appreciate a few extra strokes:

• For oily and blemished skin: Drizzle (facial) water and a few drops of Kamillosan on a washable cotton pad and gently dab your face with it.
• For dry and blemished skin: Take a tea bag with organic black tea, pour a little warm water over it and gently dab your facial skin with it.
  

What to do if you have skin problems?

One thing should be said right away: There is no panacea for skin problems. Because every person is different and this also applies to their skin. This makes the topic so complex, since we cannot automatically infer from one person to another. What helps one person does not necessarily have to be good for everyone, but can even have the opposite effect in case of doubt.

But now the good news: Most skin problems can be solved or at least alleviated. Individually and in different ways from case to case, of course. This takes a little time and patience, as some of the stressors mentioned are easier to avoid than others, but it's worth it!

Dos

A holistic approach to skin problems

As we already know, skin and psyche are closely connected. And we also know that in this case the "mirror of the soul" cannot simply be polished back to a high gloss with a little glass cleaner. This means: Skin care can only have a supporting effect, but will not be able to eliminate the causes of your skin problems. Our approach, so that you finally feel comfortable in your own skin again, is: Tackle the problem at the root. Listen to yourself, identify sources of stress and consider how you can reduce them.

Keep a skin journal

When you examine your skin over a longer period of time, it makes sense to record your observations in writing. This is how you recognize repeating patterns and it helps you to develop a better feeling for your skin, to understand how it ticks. In this way, you can find out over time which stressors your skin reacts to and avoid them in the best possible way in the future.

Note down key points on the following questions:

• What is the current condition of my skin? (e.g. B greasy, dry, impure, reddened etc. )
• When and with what did I care for my skin?
• What external or internal factors could have affected my skin? (e.g. B Sun, cold, diet, lack of sleep, period, stress etc. )

Don'ts

Don't overwhelm your skin

To get to the bottom of skin problems, the motto «less is more» applies, as so often in life. Too much care can quickly overwhelm your skin and even trigger skin problems. Too much care can manifest itself in restless and irritated skin, redness and isolated blemishes. It feels like you can't please her anymore. In this case, a so-called zero therapy - we also like to call it Rosskur - is the order of the day. That means: keep your hands off all creams, oils, make-up and the like. for at least three days for mild skin problems.

In the case of perioral dermatitis, which is also triggered by excessive care, the zero therapy must be maintained much longer, namely until it is complete healing, which may take a few weeks. In this way, the over-treated skin regains its balance and learns to repair itself.

Not constantly changing products

Time alone doesn't heal all wounds. Optimal care, adapted to the special needs of your skin, is important. The following applies: Do not change too quickly from one care product to another if the desired effect is not immediately apparent. Your skin first has to get used to the new conditions. In the case of natural cosmetics, it can even lead to a slight aggravation, since the natural ingredients initially demand more from the skin than synthetic substances.

In the long run, however, they help your skin to regenerate itself. A regeneration cycle lasts about six weeks and you should give your skin that long to get used to the new care. However, if your skin shows signs of an allergic reaction such as redness, irritation, itching and pustules, caution is advised and you should discontinue the product.

📖 Reading tip: You can read about the exact processes involved in skin renewal and what that has to do with getting used to new care products here: Skin renewal: How quickly does your skin get used to new care?

Don't put yourself under pressure

Of course: you want to get your skin problems under control as quickly as possible. And that is more than understandable. Still, try not to be too harsh on yourself and your skin (yes, we know, that's easier said than done!). Every healing process takes time. Too high expectations and impatience only mean more stress for your skin and delay regeneration. The magic word is therefore “patience”. Give yourself and your skin the time it needs to recover.