Acne Skin Care Blog

Caring For Problem Skin

Dry Skin

Dry skin may come from under-active sebaceous glands. Your skin is dry if it feels tight and flakes and peels easily. Some people are predisposed to dry skin. Aging, domestic detergents, chronic illness and frequent bathing are factors that contribute to decreased surface lipids, resulting in dry skin. In addition dry environments like air-conditioned rooms and airplane cabins increase water loss from the skin, promoting dry skin. You can care for dry skin by eating a well-balanced diet to ensure that you get enough of all vitamins and minerals. Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol, stay out of the sun, and faithfully use an effective and suitable moisturizer or emollient. However do see a doctor if the condition does not improve, as there may be other underlying causes.

Oily Skin

If your skin is noticeably shiny or feels slick when you are not sweating, chances are that you have oily skin. Oily skin results from over-active sebaceous glands. This type of skin is more susceptible to eruptions than dry skin. On the plus side, you will most likely develop fewer wrinkles and look younger for a longer time than individuals with dry skin.

A daily routine of cleaning your face with a soap and warm water will help reduce oiliness of the skin. Carry a travel-size bottle of the astringent and some cotton so that you can wipe away the oil during the day. And if you have your makeup on, just use absorbent facial paper to blot up excess oil.

Acne is a common problem associated with oily skin. It is therefore important to keep the skin’s oiliness to the minimum. Soap formulated for acne or oily skin can help in this respect. However tempting it is, do not prick or squeeze acne as it can become inflamed and infected and result in scarring. Avoid excessive scrubbing as this can aggravate inflammatory acne. If these measures do not work, a doctor will be able to help.

Stretch Marks (Striae)

The skin is naturally elastic and can stretch considerably to accommodate a change in weight or in the mass that it covers. But when rapid expansion takes place, as in pregnancy or putting on excess weight, the elastic tissue is placed under intolerable strain so that it stretches and tears, showing as stretch marks. Stretch marks tend to occur on the abdomen and breasts of pregnant women and on the thighs, hips and buttocks of those who have been overweight.

So far, there is no cure for stretch marks; the consistency of the skin now resembles scar tissue and therefore remains permanently disfigured. Stretch marks however do fade with time and they can be prevented to some degree.

Watch what you eat. Even though stretch marks on the breasts and abdomen of pregnant women are inevitable, those on the legs, arms, hips and thighs are almost always the result of overweight. Early preventive measure to control the weight will minimize the possibility of getting more marks later in pregnancy. And if you are not pregnant, avoid rapid weight gain as this will also cause stretch marks.
Aromatherapy oil, cocoa butter or other stretch marks products can alleviate dryness oil the skin making them look less obvious, but they cannot prevent or heal stretch marks.