Navigating the acne aisle…
Acne Aisle Acne cleansers There is surprisingly very few studies evaluating cleansers and their role in acne treatment. The next several posts will review the…
Fall Dos and Don’ts of Skin Care…
Do:
-Moisturize!
Tweak your routine:
As the cooler weather moves in during the fall and into the winter our skin can start to feel much drier. It’s even common for people to develop more acne as the winter approaches. Keeping our skin well hydrated with a noncomedogenic moisturizer is key. It will help to use a moisturizer twice a day- morning and night. It also helps to switch from lotions to creams in the fall. Creams are a bit thicker and can moisturize more effectively.
-Humidifiers
If your skin is particularly prone to dryness, it helps to use a humidifier in the winter. As we turn the heat up indoors, the air can start to feel drier. A humidifier is a great way to add moisture back to the air.
-Gentle cleanser
Use a gentle cleanser as you transition to fall and winter. This will help avoid over-drying the skin with harsh irritating ingredients.
-Apply a moisturizer after each time you wash your hands. One of the most common issues to see patients for as the temperatures cool down is hand eczema. I understand the need to wash our hands however our skin can not tolerate excess hand washing when the air is cold and dry outside. This can make for some uncomfortable issues with dry cracked hands! It helps to apply a moisturizer after each time you wash your hands. By placing a bottle of moisturizer right next to your hand soap on the counter you will remember to use it!
Don’t:
-Don’t stop using sunscreen!
Even though the summer is over, we should be using sunscreen year round! Staying in the habit as your transition to fall will help us remember to use it.
-Don’t over-exfoliate!
When our skin is dry and flaky, some people feel the need to exfoliate more to try to remove the flaky skin. I recommend attempting to hydrate your skin instead. Exfoliating occasionally is perfectly ok to do. However, if you do this too much, your skin will start to feel raw and sensitive. If you have trouble with excess flaking that doesn’t respond to moisturizers, consider seeing your dermatologist as you may have seborrhea. This is common with season changes especially into the fall and may require a prescription cream to help clear.
-Don’t take excessively hot showers!
As the temperatures start to cool, try to avoid warming up with a hot shower. The hotter the shower, the more your skin will dry out. Try keeping a bottle of moisturizer in the shower and applying as soon as your shower is over. You may be more likely to use it and it will be more effective to trap the moisture from the shower on your skin.
Acne: how to choose the right cleanser
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid One of the most common ingredients to find in over the counter acne cleansers is Salicylic Acid. It is most often found in…
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide Benzoyl Peroxide is another very common ingredient to find in over the counter acne cleansers. It can be found in varying concentrations in…
Milk and Your Skin
The Rumor:
Milk and dairy in general can cause acne.
The Facts:
Milk has been on the radar for years as a possible trigger for moderate to severe acne or worsening acne.
Milk has been thought to play a role by triggering inflammation that can in turn result in acne and/or possibly exposing people to hormones from cows that enter into the milk that we consume.
Skim milk in particular is the type of milk most commonly implicated in these studies. The reason is thought to be that during the process of making skim milk, proteins such as whey and casein are added to thicken it a bit. Whey and casein may trigger the release of a growth factor called IGF that is similar to insulin.
The studies are difficult to assess because many of the studies rely on people self reporting how bad their acne is or was and recalling if they had dairy or not.
Bottom line:
We do know that milk provides many health benefits that cannot be overlooked. It is an important source of calcium and vitamin D that are important for bone health, especially in children.
I would much rather my patients obtain the nutrients they need from milk than to restrict their intake based on acne alone.
If you are having trouble controlling your acne in spite of treatment, consider switching to whole milk over skim milk. This will reduce your exposure to added whey and casein. If your acne is still difficult to control, see your dermatologist to consider your treatment options.