A Guide to Taking Care of Your Skin
You may suspect you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, but do you really know your skin type? Knowing your true skin type can help the next time you’re in the cosmetics aisle. In fact, using the wrong products — or even popularized Internet hacks — for your skin type could worsen acne, dryness, or other skin problems.
Read on to learn:
- how to build your own skincare routine
- how to treat specific skin concerns like acne or scars
- which DIY skin hacks aren’t healthy, even if they seem to work
No matter what your skin type is, a daily skincare routine can help you maintain overall skin health and improve specific concerns like acne, scarring, and dark spots. A daily skincare routine has four basic steps you can do once in the morning and once before you sleep.
1. Cleansing: Choose a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin tight after washing. Clean your face no more than twice a day, or just once, if you have dry skin and don’t wear makeup. Avoid washing for that squeaky-clean feeling because that means your skin’s natural oils are gone.
2. Serums: A serum with vitamin C, growth factors, or peptides would be better in the morning, under sunscreen. At night, retinol or prescription retinoids work best.
3. Moisturizer: Even oily skin needs moisturizer, but use one that is lightweight, gel-based, and non-comedogenic, or doesn’t block your pores. Dry skin may benefit from more cream-based moisturizers. Most brands will label their products as gel or cream on their packaging.
4. Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF 15 minutes before heading outdoors, as it takes a while for sunscreen to activate. Darker skin tones actually need more sun protection because hyperpigmentation is harder to correct. Try EltaMD’s sunscreen, which offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Choose products that fit your skin type and sensitivity, and remember to read the labels. Some products, such as retinol or prescription retinoids, should only be applied at night.
For all skin types
- Stay hydrated.
- Change pillow cases at least once a week.
- Wash or wrap up hair before bed.
- Wear sunscreen every day and apply it 15 minutes before going out.
Start with a basic and simple routine to see how your skin reacts. Once you’re comfortable, you can then add extra products such as exfoliants, masks, and spot treatments to boost your skin’s health.
And don’t forget to patch test new products, especially if you suspect you have sensitive skin. This can help you identify potential allergic reactions.
To patch test a new product:
- Apply a small amount of product on your skin in a discreet area, such as the inside of your wrist or your inner arm.
- Wait 48 hours to see if there’s a reaction.
- Check the area at 96 hours after application to see if you have a delayed reaction.
An allergic reaction may include irritation, redness, small bumps, or itchiness. If you notice these symptoms, wash the area you tested with water and a gentle cleanser. Then return the product and try another that better suits your skin type.
People report wonders from using DIY hacks like lemon juice and toothpaste for common skin problems like acne bumps and dark spots. Even award-winning actress Emma Stone claims her skincare secret is baking soda. But the truth is these hacks may cause more long-term harm than benefit because they can damage your skin’s barrier.
Avoid these DIY hacks
- Lemon juice: It may have citric acidic, but it’s far too acidic and can cause dark spots to appear after sun exposure. It can also dry and irritate your skin.
- Baking soda: At a pH level of 8, baking soda will stress your skin,
significantly decrease your skin’s water content, and cause dry skin. - Garlic: In raw form, garlic can cause skin allergies, eczema, skin inflammation, and watery blisters.
- Toothpaste: The ingredients in toothpaste may kill germs and absorb oil, but they can also dry out or irritate your skin.
- Sugar: As an exfoliant, sugar is too harsh for the skin on your face.
- Vitamin E: Topical application of vitamin E can irritate your skin and is not proven to improve scar appearance.
Some of these ingredients may be all-natural and cost-effective, but they aren’t formulated for your skin. Even if you don’t feel immediate side effects, these ingredients can cause delayed or long-term damage. It’s best to use products formulated for your face. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist before trying DIY applications on your skin.
How to treat skin problems
There are ways to tackle skin problems without damaging your skin. Just remember the number one rule of skin care: Don’t pick! Picking at acne, blackheads, scabs, or other skin problems can cause open wounds or darker skin spots known as hyperpigmentation. Open wounds can lead to infections, more acne, or scars. The deeper the wound, the more likely your skin will scar.
Here are some scientifically backed ways to treat problem areas.
Acne
Acne treatment depends on how deep or serious your acne is. Overall skin care is the most important step in treating acne, but for mild acne, you can use nonprescription products from your local drugstore such as:
- salicylic acid
- benzoyl peroxide
- alpha hydroxy acids
- adapalene
- tea tree oil
Always apply sunscreen after using these products in the morning, since they can cause extra skin sensitivity.
For immediate, inflamed, and individual pimples, you can also try acne patches or stickers. These are clear, thick patches that work as spot treatments to help promote blemish healing and prevent infections. Like blister bandages, acne patches pull out the fluid, sometimes overnight. It’s best to use these before you sleep as makeup can’t cover them.
Sebaceous filaments
Sebaceous filaments are tiny, cylinder-like tubes in your pores that are whitish yellow. These are often confused with blackheads, but blackheads are actually a type of acne that’s oxidized. Sebaceous filaments can make your pores look bigger, and you may be tempted to remove them by pinching your skin or using pore strips. But these methods may have more side effects than benefits for your skin, especially if you don’t do them properly.
Over time, you can also cause:
- irritation
- open pores and infection
- dryness
- redness
- peeling
Topical preparations containing retinol or retinoids can help keep pores clear and clean. You may also find benefits from massaging your face with mineral or castor oil for one minute.
Another way of removing sebaceous filaments is with an extraction tool. This is a small metal instrument with a tiny circle at the end.
- Start with a clean face and instrument.
- Gently press the circle around the bump to see if the filament comes out. Be careful as excessive pressure can cause bruising and scarring.
- Treat the area with toner and moisturizer after.
- Always sanitize your instrument with rubbing alcohol before and after use to prevent infections.
You may also see extra benefits by applying benzoyl peroxide after washing before extraction.
Blemishes, scars, and hyperpigmentation
Blemishes, scars, and dark spots can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months to heal and fade. Immediate treatment for scars and blemishes includes using makeup and sunscreen to avoid further sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
Other ingredients known to help fade scars include:
Silicone: Studies show that topical silicone can improve scar thickness, color, and texture. You can apply silicone gel for eight to 24 hours per day. Look for products with silicone dioxide listed as an ingredient.
Honey: Preliminary studies show that honey can heal wounds and scars. You may want to use honey if you’re looking for home treatment.
Vitamin C: Look for this ingredient when shopping for creams and moisturizers. Vitamin C works better when combined with other lightening ingredients like soy and licorice.
Niacinamide: Studies
Retinoic acid: One study trusted
Look for products with these ingredients and add them to your routine after washing your face. Don’t forget to always wear sunscreen after application to avoid sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
How to test your skin type at home
You can do a physical test to check your skin type. A home test measures sebum production. Sebum is a waxy, oily liquid that comes from your pores. The amount of sebum your skin produces can determine if your skin is:
- dry
- oily
- normal
- combination
Testing sebum production on a clean face is the most accurate way to determine what kind of skin you have. Follow these steps:
- Wash your face and pat it dry. Wait 30 minutes.
- Gently press oil blotting paper or tissue on your face. Press the paper on different areas of your skin, such as your forehead and nose, cheeks, and chin.
- Hold the sheet to the light to see how transparent the paper is.
| Test results | Skin type |
|---|---|
| No transparency, but with flakes or tight skin | dry |
| Soaked through | oily |
| Different levels of absorption on different areas of the face | combination |
| Not too oily and no flaky skin | normal |
Along with the above skin types, you can also have sensitive skin, which doesn’t follow the sebum criteria. Sensitive skin depends on:
- how fast your skin reacts to product application
- how well your skin protects itself
- how easily your skin turns red
- likelihood of skin allergy
When to see a doctor or dermatologist
You should see a dermatologist if your skin problems don’t go away with over-the-counter products. More severe acne, scarring, or other problems may need prescription treatment such as oral antibiotics, birth control, or topical prescription retinoids. Your dermatologist may perform an extraction for deeper cysts or acne spots that are stuck underneath your skin.
Remember that your skin type can affect how products work. Using the wrong product, even when natural, can cause breakouts, worsen blemishes, or cause redness. It’s best to find out what skin type you have and build your skincare routine around that. You can also take notes on product ingredients to see if specific ingredients are causing unwanted skin reactions.
Understanding How Your Skin Changes During Menopause
If you’ve shopped for skin care online or in a store recently, you know there are tons of “anti-aging” products available. While a serum or cream can only do so much, there’s no denying that skin changes with age.
Skin ages for several reasons. Ultraviolet (UV) rays exposure over time breaks down elastin, which can make skin lose its elasticity. Fat under the skin can shrink too, leading to a loss of plumpness or sagging. But another factor in skin changes is menopause.
Read on for more information about menopause and skin, plus what you can do to care for your skin during menopause.
What skin changes occur during menopause?
Menopause doesn’t happen overnight. It’s officially defined as going 1 year without a period. While the timing is unique from person to person, it occurs on average at age 51.
This hormonal change causes many side effects, including:
- hot flashes
- fatigue
- vaginal dryness or pain
Skin changes during menopause are very common. You may notice that before and during this time, your skin feels dry and thin, or you may begin to see more wrinkles. Some people may experience acne during menopause as a result of hormonal fluctuations.
What are common skin conditions with menopause?
When the production of hormones estrogen and progesterone rapidly drop off with menopause, most people see it in their skin. The skin may become dry or less plump.
Hot flashes can also cause redness, and changing hormone levels may cause acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, collagen drops 30% in the first 5 years of menopause, then approximately another 2% each year for the next 20 or so years.
Why does skin change during menopause?
It may be frustrating to notice skin changes during menopause, but it’s very typical.
Collagen is what gives skin plumpness and structure. The rapid loss of collagen can lead to fine lines and wrinkles or cause sagging in the cheeks. Dry skin and acne are also common.
Estrogen helps the skin produce oil and hold onto water, so extremely dry skin during menopause is common thanks to a drop in this hormone.
Some people will also notice acne as estrogen levels fall and androgen levels remain stable (androgens are male sex hormones, like testosterone), increasing sebum production and causing pores to become blocked.
Can you prevent skin changes during menopause?
Menopause is inevitable and healthy for a person with a uterus, but that doesn’t mean they’ll love the side effects, including skin changes.
You may not be able to prevent menopause from taking a toll on your skin, but you can certainly take steps at home to make your skin look its best.
Because one of the main factors in skin aging is sun exposure, it’s essential to wear SPF daily — even when it’s cloudy. To help keep hormonal acne at bay, use a cleanser with salicylic acid. This can penetrate pores and dissolve oil.
Hydration is also important for menopausal skin. Your face and body will likely feel drier than usual, and using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid may help draw moisture into the skin It’s best to use moisturizers with hyaluronic acid on damp skin so the ingredient can bond with water.
A moisturizer with ceramides can help moisture from escaping, and topping a moisturizer with a facial oil adds even more hydration.
In addition to skincare products, it’s always helpful to eat hydrating foods, drink plenty of water, and try to get quality sleep.
There also appears to be a relation between skin appearance postmenopause and race. In a
What are the treatments for skin changes during menopause?
If the skin changes from menopause are really bothering you and are paired with other symptoms, like vaginal dryness, your doctor may suggest hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
In some cases, if HRT doesn’t seem right, they may recommend an herbal alternative to HRT, like valerian root, or dietary changes that may help balance hormones.
BOTOX treatments may also help minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
If you’re noticing an increase in facial hair as a result of menopause, laser hair removal may be a good option.
What can you do at home for skin changes during menopause?
Skincare gets more and more advanced all the time, with new formulas and brands popping up. The simplest home remedy for menopausal skin is a good moisturizer. Incorporating pro-aging ingredients, like retinol, vitamin C, glycolic and lactic acids, and of course, SPF will also help.
Also make sure to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and processed or greasy foods.
What’s the outlook for people who have skin changes during menopause?
Most people will experience side effects of menopause, including skin changes like dryness. Because of the rapid drop in estrogen, changes may be most noticeable during the onset of menopause when collagen production abruptly drops off.
After a few years, skin changes as a result of menopause will feel more gradual.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calm menopausal skin?
Look for products with gentle, soothing ingredients that can help calm skin that feels itchy or inflamed as a result of hormonal changes during menopause.
These ingredients include niacinamide (which helps reduce irritation from other ingredients), hyaluronic acid, and naturally derived ingredients, like green tea, chamomile, or rosehip.
What is perimenopausal skin?
There’s a period before menopause called perimenopause. Some people begin to notice skin changes during this time, which usually begins a few years before menopause.
Signs of perimenopause skin changes include:
- red skin as a result of hot flashes
- acne from hormonal changes
- slight sagging of skin in some areas
- overall dry skin
Does menopausal acne go away?
Acne caused by menopause can be frustrating, especially if you haven’t had a breakout in years. However, in most cases, the acne breakouts go away once hormones level out.
In the meantime, try using products with acne-fighting ingredients, like retinol and salicylic acid.
The takeaway
Menopause is an inevitable part of life for all menstruating people. In addition to hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and sometimes irritability and night sweats, skin changes are also common and may include increased hormonal acne, dryness, and thinning or sagging of the skin.
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