To aid you in your quest for the best skincare regimen ever, we’ve put together a guide based on common skin conditions and types.
You see, your skin is like a snowflake: beautiful and unique. Which is why there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all skincare routine.
That said, all great skincare regimens do have two things in common. They promise to:
- Not only look after your skin and delay the signs of ageing
- But also target and treat your most concerning skin conditions
In this post, you’ll find dermatologist-approved skincare products that do both.
Curious? Keep reading for the best cleansers, moisturisers and targeted treatments for:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne-prone, oily and porous skin
Hyperpigmentation
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
A common skin complaint, especially among women in their thirties, is uneven skin tone (aka hyperpigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is what happens when UV damage, a change in hormones or some kind of trauma to your skin, triggers an abnormally high amount of melanin (or pigment) production. It’s this unwanted melanin deposition in your skin that you have to thank for those pesky dark spots or patches.
Everybody has them, so let’s look at what really causes them and how to treat them.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
- Exposure to sunlight and UV damage
- PIH or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Skin infections and lesions
- Although rare, complications as a result of cosmetic treatments, such as lasers, IPL (intense pulsed light), dermal fillers etc.
- Certain drugs and medications
- Pregnancy and other hormonal changes, i.e. melasma or chloasma
How To Treat Hyperpigmentation
- Chemical peels
- Laser therapy
- Topical products, including sunscreen, melanin production inhibitors, pigment lighteners and skin boosters
Your Best Skincare Regimen For Hyperpigmentation
Just For Men
For Everyone
Cleansers
Moisturisers
Targeted Treatments
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Fine Lines and Wrinkles: What’s the Difference?
In the realm of skin care, you’d be forgiven for thinking that fine lines and wrinkles are one and the same thing. Let’s take a closer look at what makes them different.
Fine lines are characterised by faint, barely visible creases in your skin. They tend to appear in groups and are more pronounced when you’re using your facial expression muscles. They love to hang out around your mouth and lower cheeks (especially when you’re smiling), as well as on your forehead and your lower eyelids.
Wrinkles are much deeper lines or grooves that are clearly visible even when your face isn’t moving. Some of the most common places to find them are around your eyes (aka crow’s feet or laughter lines), on your forehead (aka frown lines) and around your smile.
Fine lines and wrinkles are a sign of a life well-lived, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them! Let’s look at what really causes them and how to treat them.
What Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
- UV damage
- Exposure to environmental toxins and free radicals. In particular, ongoing exposure to tobacco smoke can result in:
- Irregular thickening of the dermis
- A decrease in the amount of water held by the epidermis
- Ageing
- The use of your facial expression muscles, i.e. smiling, laughing, frowning, squinting, etc.
- The loss of collagen and elastin
- A reduction in the moisture content of your skin
How To Treat Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Topical Treatments
- Sunscreen
- Skin boosters and stimulators, e.g. retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, polyhydroxy acids, peptides and growth factors, i.e. plant-derived stem cells
- Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments
- Chemical peels
- Botox
- Dermal fillers
- Fractional lasers
- IPL (intense pulsed light)
Your Best Skincare Regimen For Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Just For Men
For Everyone
Cleansers
Moisturisers
Targeted Treatments
What Exactly Is Acne?
Truth bomb: There’s still a lot left to be discovered about the mechanisms responsible for acne. What we do know for sure is that the following factors set off spots and pimples:
- Excess sebum or oil production
- A build-up of dead skin cells
- Clogged pores
- Bacteria
The scary thing is, acne isn’t just for teenagers anymore. We’re increasingly seeing skin inflammation among younger kids and even adults. Today, a reported 25 – 50% of all adults are affected by adult-onset acne.
Depending on the severity, acne can cause emotional distress and even scar your skin. The good news is, the earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.
What more reason do you need? Let’s look at the types of acne and how to treat it.
Types Of Acne
- Whiteheads are closed, clogged pores
- Blackheads are open, clogged pores, where the oil turns brown when exposed to air
- Papules are small, red bumps, tender to the touch
- Pustules are papules with pus at their tips
- Nodules are large, solid lumps, painful to the touch, beneath the surface of the skin
- Cystic lesions are pus-filled lumps, painful to the touch, beneath the surface of the skin
How To Treat Acne
- Oil-free sunscreen prevents further skin damage, as well as protects elastin and collagen
- Antioxidants fight free radical damage and improve the health of your cells
- Oil-free moisturisers relieve dry skin
- Vitamin A (aka granactive retinol, tretinoin and retinol) dramatically reduces oil production and improves the health of your skin cells
- Exfoliants and cleansers with salicylic acid (BHA) help to remove built-up bacteria
- Chemical peels containing glycolic, mandelic, lactic or salicylic acid remove dead skin cells
- Prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, oral contraceptives, hormone suppressants and Roaccutane are all effective in treating acne
Your Best Skincare Regimen for Acne
Just For Men
For Everyone
Cleansers
Moisturisers
Targeted Treatments
We hope our guide helps you to choose the best regimen for your skin type.
Questions?
Our experienced skincare therapist, Annique, is available for consultations.
Tel: 012 807 5529
Online: Live Chat with us during business hours
Yours in skin,
Dr Alek and the SkinMiles Team
