5 most common skin problems and how to address them

When was the last time you took a good look at your face and reevaluated your whole skincare routine? Our skin changes due to many different factors and that means that our regimen should too. It can get a little overwhelming not knowing what to do when a new skin concern comes up, so we have created a small guide on how to address the 5 most common skin issues.

1. Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a broad term; it describes an uneven production of melanin. It includes melasma, dark spots, and freckles. It is a common skin condition especially in summer or in pregnant women. Depending on the degree of hyperpigmentation, the treatments can be done topically with skin care products, or it may require esthetic treatments. The number one thing to do is sun protection. UV rays can damage the DNA of skin cells and cause hyperpigmentation or even worse, melanoma. Wearing sunscreen every day is strongly recommended by AAD and as they say, prevention is better than treating.

When it comes to skincare, there are a few active ingredients that you can incorporate that help fade hyperpigmentation. Active ingredients work in different ways, some speed up cell turnover, and others inhibit melanin production. Look for ingredients like Alfa Arbutin (which suppresses melanin production and is most effective against hyperpigmentation), Vitamin C, AHA, and/or retinol. If hyperpigmentation is deep, we recommend using a combination of actives; for example, Repair Serum (contains retinol) with a little bit of Spot Reducing Booster (it contains Arbutin). To make sure that these ingredients are going deep into your skin, you can use regularly RegenPen.

2. Blackheads
Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are spots on the skin filled with oil and dead skin cells that get oxidized thus the black color. This is a very common skin concern but is most common in oily skin types. The causes include overproduction of sebum, clogged pores from heavy makeup or not removing your makeup properly, comedogenic moisturizers, etc. Just like we said with hyperpigmentation, try to prevent it by using oil-free moisturizers and non- comedogenic products. Add an oil cleanser to properly remove all makeup and dirt and dissolve the solidified oil trapped in pores. The best ingredient for blackheads is salicylic acid, but don't overdo it. 2-3 times a week is more than enough.

3. Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Some of them are due to facial expressions like smiling and talking; others form because of the natural aging process. You can't reverse aging and nor can you get rid of wrinkles for good (at least with skincare), but you can improve their appearance. We recommend reaching for ingredients that increase collagen production like Repair Serum (formulated with HyRetin; a combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol) and Vitamin C. Sometimes fine lines can be formed from skin dehydration, so keeping your hydration and moisture levels in check is crucial to healthy and subtle skin.

4. Acne
Acne is the most common skin concern of all ages. It is fundamentally controlled by hormones, that's why we mostly see them in teenagers, or even during the menstrual cycle or stressful periods. However, there are many other factors that influence acne like lifestyle, food, genetics, makeup, and skincare. Just like any other skin concern, prevention before curing. Create a good skincare regimen suitable for your skin type. When acne pops up, don't pick at them! This can delay the healing process and will leave deep scarring. During a breakout, focus on ingredients that strengthen the skin's natural microbiota. In this way, good bacteria will fight bad bacteria and keep the skin healthy. Repair Serum is formulated with Bacillus ferment, a prebiotic found in an ancient underwater cave on Mallorcas island. This ferment stimulates the growth of representative microorganisms of cutaneous microbiota maintaining a balanced diversity. In case of severe acne, we strongly recommend consulting with a dermatologist.

5. Redness
There are a few causes for redness that include: rosacea, inflammation, sun damage, acne scarring, etc. People with skin redness should focus on soothing ingredients and avoid harsh actives. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, centella asiatica, niacinamide, green tea etc. Redness Relief Booster contains a natural blend of ingredients that help relieve redness and inflammation while softening the skin and calming irritation, including one of the best-known plant-origin ingredients for anti-redness. The tri-functional powder mixes easily into other skincare products to create a customized product that helps target dehydration, redness, and inflammation.