5 Reasons Your Skin Is Not Looking Great

01st October 2024

5 Reasons Your Skin Is Not Looking Great

Autumn can be a tricky time of year for any skin type. The changing season can aggravate various skin issues, from uneven tone to dry skin and acne outbreaks. In this beauty blog, our skincare professional, Amish Patel, shares five reasons why your skin is not looking great and what to do to achieve a healthy glow with these skincare tips.

1. Dry skin

Dry skin can become a painful skin condition if you don’t manage it. From lacklustre skin to flaky skin and uneven skin texture, a compromised skin barrier can cause itchy skin and, with the combination of artificial heating and cold winds, create further moisture loss. One of the most common types of skin issues for winter, this condition requires careful management.

Avoid washing your face in hot water; use lukewarm water and steer clear of harsh soaps, as strong soaps can strip your skin of natural oils. Fragrances can be a potential irritant, so avoid them. Eating a diet rich in fatty acids and using a gentle cleanser and hydrating serum such as the iS Clinical Super Serum, layered with a rich moisturiser, will help improve the condition and keep your skin hydrated. Avoid wearing makeup, as removing it will aggravate your skin and cause skin irritation.

Look to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine to boost hydration. The iS Clinical Youth Intensive Creme is clinically proven and provides twenty-four-hour hydration for an all-encompassing approach to dry skin.

2. Dull skin

Healthy-looking skin has a beautiful glow, but sallow skin or dull skin, which is often caused by slow skin cell turnover, can affect skin health and result in skin dryness and dull skin tone. With all those dead cells blocking your skin’s ability to function correctly, it can also cause blemish outbreaks.

Use a quality exfoliator. My favourite is the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish, which cleanses the skin to leave it smooth and polished. After you have washed your face, pat dry and, on warm skin, gently massage your creams into your skin to help boost blood flow, give you lovely radiant skin and combat dull-looking skin. Choose skin products that encourage skin cell turnover and include ingredients such as retinol and glycolic acid in your skincare routine.

Affecting the outermost layer of the skin, choose skincare products that encourage collagen production and tackle the issue deeper by choosing professional skincare over high street brands, as these are formulated to be more potent and offer increased results, targeting beyond the superficial layers of the skin.

3. Oily skin

Your skin is the largest organ in the body, and whilst one of the most common skin types is combination skin, for those with oily skin, you should use skincare products specifically targeted at oily skin. Stress, hormones, humidity, and genetics can cause oily skin. Skin hydration is still essential for oily skin, so avoid over-washing your face, as this will cause your skin to produce more oil. Instead, use products which are ‘oil-free’ and non-comedogenic.

Your oily skin care regimen should include cleansing, moisturising, and SPF protection, but choose topical creams that are targeted to help. A poor diet can also contribute to overly oily skin and uneven skin tone. Include lots of green vegetables in your diet and drink lots of water.

I like the iS Clinical Active Serum for this skin type as it deep cleanses the pores without drying out the skin.

4. Dark spots

Hormones can cause dark spots and skin discolouration. They tend to develop in the skin over time after excessive sun exposure. Brown spots or ‘age spots’ are a common condition caused by the overproduction of melanin.

Avoid the sun, and use a wide-brimmed hat and a broad-spectrum sunscreen all year round. Treatment options include a tailored skincare programme and professional treatments such as chemical face peels and laser treatments. These in-clinic treatments can improve hyperpigmentation, but the key to healthier skin and protecting your skin from skin cancer is to avoid the sun in the first place.

My favourite SPF is the iS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50 for water-resistant, broad-spectrum protection.

5. Blemish outbreaks

Blemish outbreaks are a big skin concern for most people. These can range from the odd pimple to cluster spots. To avoid blemish outbreaks, you should avoid drinking alcohol, eat a clean diet, drink lots of water and get quality sleep.

Ensure you cleanse and exfoliate your skin to encourage healthy skin cells and keep your skin clean. Going to bed with a face full of makeup will not create a balanced skin environment. Depending on your skin age, blemish outbreaks can be caused by hormone fluctuations. By drinking water, eating plenty of leafy greens and taking care of yourself, you can achieve healthy-looking skin.

My go-to skincare product for blemish-prone skin is the iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum, and its ability to soothe flare-ups.

Overall, eating a healthy diet and avoiding sun exposure is ideal. Wear an SPF of at least 50 all year round and get 9-10 hours of sleep a night. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin looking and feeling fabulous. Avoiding stress helps prevent the stress hormone cortisol from being released and causing damage to your body and skin.

Looking to supercharge your skincare? You might want to know about PRP treatments! Read The Ultimate Guide to PRP for the Face: What You Need to Know.