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:
every day
- 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.