Problem Skin

Skin issues are not just a problem for young people and teenagers; oily to acne-prone skin can also plague us in adulthood. From hormonal changes, stress and a lack of sleep to unsuitable cosmetics, there are many causes for an increase in oiliness. Shiny, oily skin, comedones and boils most often appear on the forehead, chin, cheeks, neck and back.

Treat your problem skin with a special spot treatment that softens the skin, reduces sebum production and hydrates it sufficiently. We’ll tell you what works best for common skin problems!

Problem skin in adulthood and puberty – what causes it?

Problem and acne-prone skin usually begins to appear during puberty, when the body undergoes major hormonal changes that stimulate the sebaceous glands to excessive activity. If our skin produces excessive amounts of sebum and dead skin cells are not sufficiently removed from the skin, they accumulate in the follicle, causing whiteheads and blackheads on the face and body. However, once the hormonal changes stabilise, your facial skin problems should stabilise and improve.

However, if oily skin continues to affect you later in life, problem skin in your thirties and beyond can be caused by several factors:

• Air pollution and a dusty environment.
• Excessive exposure of the skin to harmful UV rays.
• A diet with a lack of vitamins and minerals.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.
• Poor-quality sleep, anxiety and stress.
• Unsuitable cosmetics, oily and aggressive products for cleansing the skin with a high pH.
• Frequently touching your face or squeezing spots with your fingers, which introduces bacteria into the skin.
• Hormonal changes in pregnancy, after giving birth, after stopping using contraception or during menstruation or menopause.

Our tip: Problem skin in adolescence and adulthood is really just a step away from acne. Read about other causes of greasy skin, comedones and pimples on the page How to Get Rid of Acne.

Essential skincare for problem skin

• Makeup removal and cleansing for problem skin – Careful makeup removal and ridding the skin of impurities are the alpha and omega on the road to skin recovery. Oily skin appreciates a gentle cleansing gel for problem skin, a facial toner, an astringent, and micellar water, when cleansing at least twice a day (morning and evening).
• Quality skincare products – An essential part of skincare for oily skin has to be special products for problematic, acne-prone skin, which contain active ingredients that promote skin soothing, hydration and nourishment. Active ingredients that are ideal for oily skin include nourishing oils such as tea tree, Moroccan clay, snail extract and niacinamide.
• Intensive hydration – Dehydration can be one of the main causes of oily skin. Choose a hydrating treatment for problem skin or non-comedogenic plant oils that lock moisture inside the skin and restore its lost balance.
• Stay hydrated – Hydration must also be supplied to the skin from within, so as to stimulate the protective function of the skin barrier sufficiently.
• Quality rest – A lack of sleep or stress during the day can quickly show on our skin. Disrupting the body’s balance increases sebum production. Try to focus on quality sleep and support it with the finest help, such as a silk sleep mask or silk pillowcase that supports your skin’s natural hydration and does not cause irritation.
• A balanced diet – The composition of our diet also affects the quality of our skin. Try to choose foods with sufficient essential fatty acids and vitamins and minerals such as selenium, zinc, biotin and vitamin A or vitamin D. Meanwhile, you should also avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates or with a high glycaemic index.
• Sun protection factor (SPF) – Sun exposure may seem to help spot-prone skin, but in the long run it dries out the skin and disrupts the skin barrier, which accumulates sebum under the surface. Always protect your skin with a lightweight face cream with SPF for problem skin.
• Consultation with a dermatologist – If your problem skin continues to affect you after a change in lifestyle, we recommend a consultation with a specialist who will advise you on suitable products for problem skin and the cosmetic treatment options.

The best beauty products for problem skin

How should you deal with problem skin? The condition of your skin should gradually start to improve if:

• You choose gentle products to cleanse the skin, ideally with a neutral pH (5.5).
• All your spot products respect the basic needs of oily skin.
• You use a moisturiser for problem skin regularly. The best face cream for problem skin should provide perfect nourishment to oily skin weakened by drying treatments, whilst reducing imperfections and sebum and even minimising any marks or acne scars.
• Nourishing skin oils, concealer sticks and foundation are always non-comedogenic by nature.
• You treat your skin regularly with products for blackheads, to cleanse and tighten the pores.
• In severe cases, topical skincare is also suitable, targeting any spots or boils, soothing redness and irritation and promoting natural regeneration.

Our tip: A handy kit for problem skin usually contains everything you need to remove makeup perfectly and cleanse and nourish your skin. Treat yourself to complete care and get your skin problems under control!