What do your skin blemishes say about your habits?

Acne

What’s Causing It: Hormones, Using the Wrong Skin Care Products, Not Practicing Good Skin Care

Acne is caused by hormones called androgens which cause the overproduction of sebum in the skin’s pores. Too much sebum in the pores causes oil to become trapped leading to clogged pores. Sometimes dead skin cells attach to the clogged pore which can cause acne lesions. There is a range of acne severity from light acne to the most severe type-cystic acne.

The best way to treat acne is by using mild cleansers formulated with glycolic or salicylic acid to cleanse and remove oil and debris from skin’s surface. Follow this with a toner to balance the PH of your skin, then moisturize with a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Topical retinoids are also helpful.

Blackheads

What’s Causing Them: Overly Oily Skin, Bad Skin Care Habits

Blackheads are typically a symptom of oily skin and overactive sebaceous glands. When sebum and oil can’t be expelled from the pore it can become clogged with dead skin cells, oil and bacteria. When exposed to air, it oxidizes and becomes black. Help avoid blackheads by exfoliating your skin regularly and cleansing with products designed specifically for acne-prone skin. Also look for formulas with retinol to help thoroughly clean pores and remove excess oil and sebum. Moisturize with a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Oily Skin

What’s Causing It: Overactive Oil Glands

Causes such as hormonal changes, overusing skin products, and genetics might be to blame for oily skin. Tohelp oily skin choose a cleanser specifically formulated for this skin type — the best include salicylic acid or charcoal as these help draw out oil and impurities. Steer clear from cleansers with alcohol in them as they can strip your skin of moisture causing your skin to overcompensate and produce more oil. Also keep cleansing to a maximum of twice a day and make sure to exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells that can buildup on skin’s surface.

Dry Skin

What’s Causing It: Weather, Wrong Products, Bad Skin Care Habits

You may have dry skin as your natural skin type or environmental factors such as cold weather and dry air could be wreaking havoc on your skin causing it to be dry. During winter months, skin peaks in its dryness and you’ll have to take extra precautions to ensure that it stays hydrated and moisturized. With a few simple steps you can ensure your skin is well hydrated. Make sure you exfoliate regularly to remove any dead skin cells on surface skin; they could prevent your skin from absorbing products. Use products formulated with glycerin or ceramides to help restore hydration.

Dark Spots

What They Say About Your Habits: Too Much Sun Without SPF

There are a several different types of dark spots and typically they are caused from too much sun exposure over the years. Your skin contains melanocyte which produces melanin. When it becomes overstimulated it can produce too much melanin. This leads to hyperpigmentation often in the form of freckles or dark spots. The sun is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation. Not only that but recent studies show that not only do the sun’s rays cause dark spots, but also the exposure to heat can trigger an increased melanin response. Hyperpigmentation doesn’t just form on the face but can also form on chest, neck and hands.

Dark skin can be particularly sensitive, and it is more likely to become hyperpigmented than fair skin because it can produce more melanocyte.

Look for products formulated with Vitamin C to help reduce the appearance of dark spots. You can find Vitamin C in serums, dark spot correctors or creams. It can help brighten the appearance of dark spots over time. Also be diligent about wearing sunscreen daily. Ideally you should be wearing broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher every day to protect your skin from sun damage.