Skincare Secrets: What the skincare industry doesn't want you to know (Part 2)

Here is part two of the skincare secrets blog. Enjoy!

Some acne products can make acne worse

Many conventional acne products are designed to strip away oil and dry out the skin.

While this might seem logical if your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, it can actually makes things worse.

Your skin naturally produces sebum (oil) to keep itself moisturised and protected. When harsh cleansers, alcohol based toners or strong ‘anti acne’ treatments remove too much of that oil, the skin often responds by producing even more sebum to compensate. This can create a frustrating cycle of excess oil, clogged pores and further breakouts.

Over drying the skin can also damage the skin barrier leading to irritation, redness, sensitivity and inflammation, all of which can make acne look and feel worse.

Instead of attacking the skin, supporting and balancing it is often a more effective long term approach.

A 10 step skincare routine won't fix stress driven skin problems

The beauty industry loves to promote complicated skincare routines, convincing us that more products equal better skin, but if your skin issues are being driven by stress, no amount of serums and creams will address the root cause.

Stress affects the body in many ways. It increases levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can trigger inflammation, disrupt digestion, affect sleep quality and influence hormone balance. All of these factors can show up on the skin as acne, eczema flare ups, rosacea, itching, dryness or premature ageing. Think of stress as the fuel on the fire.

This often creates what I call the "stress-skin-stress cycle." You become stressed, your skin flares up, you worry about your skin, which creates more stress, leading to further skin problems.

Of course, skincare can support the skin, but if stress is a factor for you, we also need to consider managing stress through relaxation, exercise, good sleep, time outdoors and so on. When these are in place it can have a big impact on your skin.

Your skin doesn't just sit there, it absorbs what you put on it

Most people consider what they eat, but rarely think about what they apply to their skin.

While the skin is an excellent barrier, it is not completely impenetrable.

Certain ingredients can be absorbed through the skin and enter the body. This means that every ingredient applied has the potential to be processed and dealt with by the body's systems.

Many skincare products contain long ingredient lists filled with synthetic fragrances, preservatives, colourings and other additives.

Products with fewer, carefully chosen ingredients can be gentler on the skin and easier to understand. If you can't recognise half the ingredients on the label, it may be worth considering whether they are all truly necessary and something that you want to absorb or are just being used to bulk it out with cheap synthetic substances.

Natural doesn't automatically mean suitable: The truth about essential oils

Essential oils have become almost synonymous with natural skincare. They smell wonderful and many have beneficial properties, which is why they are found in countless natural beauty products.

However, "natural" does not automatically mean gentle or suitable for everyone.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. In fact, it can take huge quantities of plant material to produce just a small bottle of essential oil. This concentration means they can be powerful and sometimes too powerful for sensitive skin.

For people with eczema, rosacea, allergies, compromised skin barriers or very reactive skin, essential oils may trigger irritation, redness, itching or sensitivity. Even oils that are often promoted as calming, such as lavender or tea tree, can cause reactions in some individuals.

This doesn't mean essential oils are bad. It simply means they should be used thoughtfully and are not always the best choice for every skin type. Sometimes the gentlest skincare products are those that rely on nourishing plant oils, herbal infusions and butters without added fragrance or essential oils at all.

Healthy skin isn't created by buying more products. It's created by understanding what your skin actually needs. Sometimes that means using fewer products, choosing simpler ingredients and looking beyond skincare to factors such as stress, sleep, nutrition and overall wellbeing.

If you would like some support with your skin, go to naturallygrownhealth.co.uk to find out more.

Hi, I'm Amy Woodcock, A Nutritional Therapist specialising in the skin and a natural skincare creator with a range of natural, handcrafted skincare products. I am here to help you to get your skin confidence back, naturally.