Problem Skin

What Can Cause It?

The following are some common causes of problem skin:

• Stress. A lot of skin issues could be stopped if only we took a break to calm our minds and spirits. Stress causes zits, there's no doubt. It can also cause itchy skin. If you're worried and stressed, your skin could look dull and lifeless.
• Allergies. Eczema and other similar conditions are linked to allergies and asthma. Often they go hand-in-hand. If it's that time of the year for you--sneezing, itching, watering eyes--go ahead and take some allergy medicine. You might want to see a doctor for something stronger than over-the-counter medicines.
• Not enough water. If you're dehydrated, your skin will suffer. Make sure you're getting your eight glasses a day. If you drink a lot of soda, tea, or coffee, try substituting with water as much as possible. Caffeinated beverages are diuretics and serve to dehydrate you further. Recent studies also show that excess sugar takes a toll on your skin as well.
• Harsh products. Sometimes we're too rough on our skin in an attempt to solve problems. For example, someone with acne may use oil-reducing products to dry their skin out. In turn, the skin produces MORE oil and it's a never-ending cycle. People with dry skin may put so many emollient products on, it causes acne or makes the skin drier on its own. Once you choose to use gentler products, your skin will start to balance out.
• Other problem skin factors. Genetics, hormones, shampoos, conditioners, styling products, facial products, makeup…the list goes on! If you suspect a certain product may be the culprit, stop using it for a few weeks. Figuring out your skin is a slow process. Even when you try new makeup, you might not see resulting zits for two whole weeks. So if you stop using something, the problems won't automatically go away overnight. Give it time!

The Beauty of Nature

The fewer the ingredients on your face, the better. The exception is medication your dermatologist may prescribe.

Try switching to all-natural products to wash your face with. For dry, irritated skin, try Geografx's Gentle Azulene Gel. For oily skin, check out tea tree oil cleansers.

Emu and jojoba oils make great moisturizers, since they don’t clog pores. Most people like emu for winter and jojoba in the summer. You can usually find them at health food stores.

Exfoliation

With problem skin, there's a temptation to scrub and scrub until all the nastiness goes away. Because the reason you're having trouble with problem skin in the first place is because your skin's dirty, right? Wrong. Lay off the exfoliation completely for a few days and see what happens.

If you're finding extra flakiness or clogged pores, try a soft washcloth with your regular facial cleanser. You don't need the harsh chemicals or sharp particles of an exfoliant on your face right now. That will just inflame it further.

Cover It Up Until It Heals

Ideally, it's best to leave makeup off the skin to decrease the irritation. In the real world though, a lot of women don't like even going to the mailbox without any on. Women with problem skin are generally less apt to feel proud to show their bare faces.

Mineral makeup--at least foundation--is worth a shot if you have imperfections you wish to cover. Mineral foundations often have the fewest, least irritating ingredients. Those ingredients often offer built-in sunscreen. They're not all created equal, so if one doesn't work for you, try another. Luckily, most types have sample sizes you can order. Some mineral cosmetic sites to check out:

• Aromaleigh
• Bare Escentuals
• Everyday Minerals
• Geografx
• Alima Cosmetics
• ME Naturally Mineral Cosmetics

What Can a Dermatologist Do?

Just because the dermatologist has skin care products to sell you, that doesn’t mean they're the best for your skin. Read the ingredients yourself and make an informed decision. Never blindly buy a face care system.

Sometimes, though, medication is needed to help problem skin. Natural products and gentle care isn't always enough. A dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic or even Acutane for acne. They can prescribe a hydrocortisone cream or Elidel for eczema. There may also be treatments in-office they can perform to help relieve your skin anxiety.

If your problem skin feels out of control, don't hesitate to go see a dermatologist.