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

Our skin communicates with us

And constantly. This fact is also reflected in our everyday use of language. For example, we turn pale with envy and red with anger or shame. We get goosebumps when we're scared or disgusted. If something annoys us, we would like to jump out of our skin. And sometimes we meet someone we really don't want to be in their shoes. Our language is full of such metaphors that allude to a connection between the skin and our emotions . Of course, not all skin problems are due to emotional factors.

What types of skin problems are there?

Before we look at the underlying causes of skin problems, we should first clarify the following: What do we actually mean when we talk about skin problems? The range of possible complaints is large and ranges from rather harmless symptoms to serious illnesses. Very often skin problems occur in the form of skin rashes or become noticeable through impurities, pimples and blackheads.

The most common skin diseases include acne (disorders of the sebaceous glands), neurodermatitis (chronic inflamed skin), perioral dermatitis (inflammatory skin rash usually around the mouth) and rosacea (chronic inflammatory reddening of the face). 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 difficult to diagnose and it can take time to find the cause.

👆 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.

Familiarize yourself with your skin

The first step to permanently solving 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, red, itchy patches

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 types is half the battle to declare war on 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. This is how you 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 (except the normal one) and brings with it the respective problems.

However, our skin also complains, just like we do when it is stressed. On the one hand, stress can be triggered by internal (endogenous) 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.

👆 Constant 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

Face masks have become part of our everyday lives since the beginning of the corona pandemic. 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 promotes the growth of bacteria while at the same time weakening 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 cleanse and care for the facial skin. Your skin will also appreciate a few extra strokes:

• For oily and blemished skin: Drizzle a washable cotton pad with (facial) water and a few drops of Kamillosan and gently dab your face with it.
• For dry and impure 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 with 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 will take a bit of time and patience as some of the stressors mentioned are easier to avoid than others, but it's worth it!

DOS

Approach skin problems holistically

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: Get to the root of the problem . Listen to yourself, identify sources of stress and consider how you can reduce them.

Keep a skin diary

If you examine your skin over a longer period of time, it makes sense to write down your observations. 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.

Make a note of the following questions every day :

• What is the current condition of my skin? (e.g. greasy, dry, impure, reddened etc.)
• When and with what did I take care of my skin?
• Which external or internal factors could have influenced my skin? (e.g. sun, cold, nutrition, lack of sleep, period, stress etc.)

Don'ts

Don't overwhelm your skin

When it comes to getting to the bottom of skin problems, the motto “ less is more” applies, as is so often the case 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 drastic treatment – ​​is the order of the day. That means: Stay away from all creams, oils, make-up etc. for at least three days if you have minor skin problems.

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

Don't keep changing products

However, time alone does not 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 here which processes exactly take place during skin renewal and what that has to do with getting used to new care products: Skin renewal: How quickly does your skin get used to new care?

Don't pressure yourself

Clearly, 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 .