What to do if your skin type changes
Skin can go through many changes but the older we get the more confusing the changes can be. By the time you’re 25, you should probably be set in a certain skin care routine that compliments your skin type; but if you realize that your skin is breaking out or looks different, you may want to adjust your skin care routine (and products) and examine the environmental factors that could be causing these changes. We’ve outlined some of the ways your skin can change and how to take care of it.
What to do if you suddenly have dry skin?
You might be confused as to why your skin is suddenly dry and tight to the touch. Could you be using products with fragrance/alcohol or too much lather that could be drying out your skin? This may be the reason why your skin isn’t as hydrated as it should be. The weather can also play a big role. In the fall and winter our skin can become particularly dry. Acknowledging whether or not environmental causes are making your skin feel parched could be the first step to addressing the issue. Are you taking very hot showers to keep you warm? We understand that enveloping your skin in piping hot water can be very appealing when the temperature is freezing outside, but this unfortunately can strip your skin of its natural moisture. This is especially true for the delicate skin on your face — if you splash hot shower water on it and it dries, you are promoting the removal of moisture from the surface of your skin. Try to keep your showers lukewarm. Also if your skin is dry, alcohol or fragrance might be the culprit — are you using products that contain them in your skin care routine? They have a drying effect and can cause skin irritation. Try to go with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that contain fatty molecules like ceramides which will help give moisture back to your skin. Lastly make sure you exfoliate at least once a week. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can accumulate on the surface of your skin and allows your moisturizers to work more effectively. Follow this by using a hydrating moisturizer with ceramides to restore your skin’s balance.
What to do if you suddenly have acne?
It can be really frustrating to make it through puberty only to develop acne out of nowhere in your 20s, 30s, 40s or even 50s. There are a variety of reasons why you can develop acne ranging from hormones, stress, or environmental factors such as a big change in climate. To help alleviate adult acne, try to fight the impetus to be super aggressive with your skin care products — you’ll get the opposite effect of what you desire and your acne might actually get worse. Avoid washing your face more than two times per day. Opt for a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry, don’t rub it. Next apply moisturizer that contains retinol, not only does it fight acne and smooth your skin, but it also helps in reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
What to do if you suddenly have oily skin?
If your skin appears shinier than usual and your make up melts off your face, you may be unexpectedly experiencing oily skin. Causes like hormonal changes, overusing skin products, and environment might be to blame for this change. To fight your newly oily skin choose a cleanser specifically created for oily skin — the best cleansers for oily skin include ingredients like salicylic acid or charcoal because these ingredients can help draw out oil and impurities. Steer clear from cleansers with alcohol in them as they can strip your skin of moisture and its natural barrier, which can cause your skin to produce more oil. Also keep cleansing to a maximum of twice a day and make sure to exfoliate at least once a week to get rid of dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of skin. Exfoliation will help to allow your skin to breathe and ensure your products work effectively.
What to do if you suddenly have sensitive skin?
If your skin is breaking out and feels very reactive to outside influences you may have developed sensitive skin. Did you recently switch products? Your skin may be reacting to it negatively. Other causes may be weather or overexposure to sun. Try to keep your interaction with your skin to a minimum — cleansing once a day and moisturizing is usually all that sensitive skin needs. You should be using gentle products without parabens, alcohol or fragrance. While you should exfoliate with a gentle product once a week (no more as it might irritate your skin), steer clear of scrubs containing crystals or shells as these have the potential to damage your fragile skin. Make sure you’re always wearing broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher no matter the weather outside to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
No matter your skin type, everyone should be applying SPF to protect their skin from the sun. With these helpful steps you should be able to restore your suddenly different skin to what it was like before.
