Sometimes a simple moisturiser just won’t cut it when it comes to battling serious skin problems. That’s where skin treatments step in.
Nowadays you don’t always have to reach for medication or the surgeons knife to treat acne, dark spots or serious signs of ageing as more and more beauty brands are producing targeted treatments for problem zones on the skin.
Here’s our list of the Top 3 Skin Concerns and how to kick them to the curb.
The Problem: Dark Spots
The Cause: Also known as hyper-pigmentation, dark spots are caused by many factors. The most common of these include trauma to the skin, certain medications, sun exposure, hormonal changes, or any irritations to the skin that can accelerate the production of pigment.
The Solution: Fade dark spots using an over-the counter treatment that contains some or all of the ingredients listed below. Most take about six to eight weeks before they start to produce results.
Important Ingredients: Look for products that contain Vitamins C and B3, soy, liquorice, arbutin, kojic acid, antioxidants, alpha-hydroxy acids or retinoids.
The Problem: Acne Prone Skin
The Cause: Most of us experienced problematic skin during our teens. While some suffered from the odd pimple here or there, others continued to experience full blown acne well into their adult years. Acne can be triggered by hormonal changes, an overproduction of oil in the sebaceous glands and stress. Certain food allergies can also cause it to flare up. Contrary to popular belief acne isn’t caused by dirty skin or by eating chocolate!
The Solution: While some may prefer to take medication for their acne, others prefer using topical treatments. Adopting a strict but gentle cleansing routine will also help to calm the skin and prevent any flare ups. As tempting as it is, try not to pop your pimples or touch your face excessively as this can spread the bacteria across your face.
Important Ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, Retin-A, Azelaic Acid, Zinc, Dioic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid,
The Problem: Serious Symptoms of Ageing
The Cause: As we age the production of collagen and elastin (that’s the stuff that keeps your skin looking plump and smooth) slows down. This causes our skin to thin out and become wrinkled. Excessive exposure to the sun and its UV rays can also break down the collagen in our skin.
The Solution: Obviously we can’t avoid the effects of Father Time but we can slow them down if we use the right products. Simple lifestyle changes can also make a difference, like applying a broad-spectrum sun cream with a SPF of at least 30 daily, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and partaking in regular exercise.
Important Ingredients: Retinoids, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids like Glycolic, Malic, Citric and Lactic Acids, Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluron, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anti-Oxidants like Vitamin C and E, Idebenone, Green Tea, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin, Co-enzyme Q10.
Are you experiencing any of the above? What are you doing to treat them? We’d love to know, so share your comments below!