How to Treat 3 Common Skin Conditions

If you’ve ever had a moment where you wish you could trade skin with a supermodel, you’re probably in good company. Most of us have had moments where an unexpected blemish (or many of them), unsightly wrinkles, or dull, tired-looking skin has affected our confidence. Luckily, all of these very common skin conditions are treatable. We spoke with Spa Director Amanda Rigby about how you can reduce the effects of skin issues such as aging, acne, dry skin, and more. Keep reading to learn more.

We hope these tips help you put your best face forward!

1. Address signs of aging. “The first thing I want people to know about anti-aging measures is that it’s never too late to reverse signs of aging with proper hydration and exfoliation,” Amanda said. “Reversing the aging process takes a combination of treatments. First, it’s important to prevent and treat sun damage by replenishing the skin’s Vitamin C content,” she continued. “I prefer serums that deliver the vitamin to the mantle of the skin. Most lotions only go to the third layer of the epidermis. ”

“The second component of an effective anti-aging skin care routine is exfoliation,” Amanda advised. “This can be done manually with a Clarisonic, or with exfoliation-based ingredients like micro-beads,” she continued. “If you choose ingredient-based exfoliation, choose something like silica crystals over something with a natural shell. The problem with shell-based exfoliates like coffee or nuts is that they’re not perfectly round and can tear up your skin.” “You can also choose chemical exfoliates, like Jessner peels and Beta peels, which are administered by an aesthetician,” Amanda said. “If you want an over-the-counter chemical based exfoliate, look for ingredients like retinoic acid or retinyl palmitate.”

“Follow up by moisturizing in layers. I recommend choosing a serum with hyaluronic acid,” Amanda said. “We offer a product by SkinCeuticals called AGE that slows the skin’s glycation process, stopping the natural breakdown of collagen and connective tissue in the face.”

2. Fight acne. “Acne is a condition that really should be diagnosed and treated by a professional because there are various causes,” Amanda said. “There are three different types of acne: 1, adult onset acne; 2, cystic viral acne; and 3, congested, oily skin acne. Once you find out what type you have and its underlying cause, you can treat it with a variety of different ingredients,” she continued. “Salicylic acid helps to absorb oil. Retinyl palmitate and glycolic acid are also common acne-treatment ingredients.”

Many people think that if they have acne, they need to stop moisturizing their skin; however, the opposite is actually true. “When you decide to stop moisturizing, you actually exacerbate the problem by causing your body to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture,” Amanda explained. “Look for moisturizers without silicones, petroleum, or other oil bases, and that are non-comedogenic (non- pore-clogging).”

3. Prevent dry or oily skin. “Oily skin falls under the umbrella of acne and can cause problems if not addressed,” Amanda said.  “I recommend that people with oily skin drink enough water because this will actually thin the oil that comes out on the skin’s surface,” she explained. “People with oily skin need regular micro-dermabrasion or need to use chemical exfoliates like Jessner peels regularly,” she continued. “Oily skin types can also benefit from the use of salicylic acid cleansers to help absorb oil.”

For those who have dry skin, Amanda recommends first taking an analysis of your diet. “It’s often the case that those with dry skin aren’t getting enough fatty acids in their diet or they aren’t drinking enough water,” Amanda said. “Certain skincare products can also dry out the skin. It really is helpful to receive a consultation to help pinpoint the cause of your dry skin.”

Whether you want to prevent signs of aging, are battling acne, or have dry or oily skin, it is possible to treat a variety of skin scenarios. By getting to the root of the problem and then treating that accordingly, you can avoid much frustration when attempting to put your best face forward. To learn more or to schedule a consultation at our Spa & Salon, we encourage you to contact the Spa Concierge at 719.520.4988 or ggcspa@ggclub.com.